Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival
Seth Parker Woods, cellist and Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, will serve as the USA artistic director of the “Rencontres Franco Américaines” chamber music festival—an annual gathering of French and American classical music artists taking place August 15-20. The 2025 festival will feature the Ivory Trio, comprised of pianist… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods to serve as artistic director of “Rencontres Franco-Américaines” chamber music festival
SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
On May 18, the SAKURA Cello Quintet gave the debut performance of Carving an Alphabet, a set of 12 madrigals for five cellos, written by USC Thornton Chair of Composition Donald Crockett for New Music USA. The SAKURA Cello Quintet consists of Thornton alumni Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12,… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”
Andrew Shulman to teach masterclasses and perform in concerts around the UK and Ireland
USC Thornton Strings department faculty member Andrew Shulman will be teaching masterclasses and performing in concerts in the United Kingdom and Ireland in May. The masterclasses will take place at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin on May 12, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on May 14, the Royal College… Continue reading Andrew Shulman to teach masterclasses and perform in concerts around the UK and Ireland
ArcoStrum perform in “Musicians on the Rise” concert at Kaufman Music Center
USC Thornton DMA candidate in Classical Guitar Tengyue (Ty) Zhang and Strings program alumnus Strauss Shi (MM ’19), now known as ArcoStrum, performed at the Kaufman Music Center on April 4 as part of the “Musicians on the Rise” concert series. The violin-guitar duo reimagines Chinese traditional music, modern rock and classical masterworks. ArcoStrum was… Continue reading ArcoStrum perform in “Musicians on the Rise” concert at Kaufman Music Center
Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
USC Thornton Harp Performance alumna Caroline Wilkins (‘16, MM ‘19) won the principal harp position with the Boise Philharmonic. Wilkins, who studied under JoAnn Turovsky, has served as principal harpist with the American Youth Symphony, the Debut Chamber Orchestra and the USC Thornton Symphony. She is the 2019 grand prize winner of the American Harp… Continue reading Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Seth Parker Woods, Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, was included in The New York Times‘ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024.” Woods was recognized for his performance as a featured soloist in Wild Up’s Eastman Vol. 4: The Holy Presence, an exploration of composer Julius Eastman’s works… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Carl St.Clair concludes historic tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony
Maestro Carl St.Clair concluded his 35-year tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony, the longest for an American-born conductor of a U.S. orchestra. He is succeeded by Alexander Shelley, who will serve an initial five-year term beginning in the 2026-27 season. St.Clair will become music director laureate in the 2025-26 season, providing a seamless… Continue reading Carl St.Clair concludes historic tenure as music director of the Pacific Symphony
In Memoriam: Donald McInnes
Donald McInnes, USC Thornton Professor Emeritus of Strings, has died at the age of 85. McInnes thrived with a prolific career of performance, recording and teaching in the U.S. and abroad for decades, including years of instruction at the USC Thornton School of Music. McInnes performed with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra and… Continue reading In Memoriam: Donald McInnes
Cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins to perform at Wigmore Hall
After winning the 2023 Pierre Fournier Award, cellist and USC Thornton alumna Annie Jacobs-Perkins (’18) will perform her debut recital at London’s Wigmore Hall on Nov. 26, accompanied on the piano by Dina Ivanova. To purchase tickets, click here.
Seth Parker Woods appointed Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton
Seth Parker Woods has been appointed by the USC Provost as the new holder of the Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at the USC Thornton School of Music. Woods has been a USC Thornton Strings faculty member since the fall of 2022. He also serves as the founder and director of the… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods appointed Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton