Midori Goto to join Curtis Institute faculty in fall of 2018
USC Thornton distinguished professor Midori Goto, Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin, will join the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music, beginning in the 2018–19 school year. The internationally-renowned performer and educational advocate will continue her 14-year relationship with Thornton as a visiting artist following her move to Philadelphia. “I am thankful for the time… Continue reading Midori Goto to join Curtis Institute faculty in fall of 2018
Argus Quartet wins senior strings division of M Prize
The Argus Quartet, which includes USC Thornton alumni Clara Kim (DMA ’15, violin) and Jason Issokson (MM ’10, violin) along with violist Dana Kelley and cellist Jo Whang, was named the first place winner in the Senior Strings division of the University of Michigan’s M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition. In addition to a cash prize of… Continue reading Argus Quartet wins senior strings division of M Prize
Bassist Robin Kesselman performs with Houston Symphony Orchestra
USC Thornton alumnus Robin Kesselman (’12, double bass), principal bass of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, enjoyed his solo debut with the ensemble earlier this year. Kesselman performed Serge Koussevitzky’s Concerto for Double Bass on the January program, which featured contemporary music from the Americas and was led by conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. “Koussevitzky was an incredible… Continue reading Bassist Robin Kesselman performs with Houston Symphony Orchestra
Donald Crockett, Thornton alumni featured at Caramoor
USC Thornton Composition chair Donald Crockett (MM ’76) recently visited the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York, where the Argus Quartet is preparing his commissioned string quartet for its July premiere. Thornton alumni and faculty feature prominently throughout the Center’s spring and summer seasons. The Los Angeles-based Argus Quartet, which… Continue reading Donald Crockett, Thornton alumni featured at Caramoor
Strong USC Thornton showing in LA Phil’s 2017-18 season
The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) recently announced its 2017-18 concert season, which includes featured performances by numerous USC Thornton faculty and alumni. In December, the Calder Quartet, which includes Thornton alumni Benjamin Jacobson (BM’01, MM’07, violin), Andrew Bulbrook (BM ’02, violin), Jonathan Moerschel (BM ’01, MM ’03, viola) and Eric Byers (BM ’03, cello),… Continue reading Strong USC Thornton showing in LA Phil’s 2017-18 season
Cynthia Phelps presents all-French trio program
Violist and USC Thornton alumna Cynthia Phelps recently performed with the Les Amies Trio for the San Antonio Chamber Music Society’s 74th season. The Trio, which included harpist Nancy Allen and flutist Carol Wincec, presented an all-French program, including Jacques Ibert’s Deux Interludes suivi de Carillon and Arnold Bax’s Elegiac Trio, as well as works… Continue reading Cynthia Phelps presents all-French trio program
Bassist Owen Levine joins Colorado Symphony
USC Thornton Strings alumnus Owen Levine (MM ‘09) recently won a section bass position with the Colorado Symphony. Levine previously performed as a Fellow with the New World Symphony.
Student chamber duo wins prizes in Boulder
Cellist Coleman Itzkoff (MM ’16) and pianist Alin Melik-Adamyan (’12, MM ’14, piano), who perform as the Amicus Duo, recently earned top prizes at the Boulder International Chamber Music Competition, winning second prize overall and a special prize for best performance of Arthur Gottschalk’s Some Assembly Required. The USC Thornton student duo formed in 2014… Continue reading Student chamber duo wins prizes in Boulder
Strings magazine celebrates alumna, violist Cynthia Phelps
Strings magazine recently profiled USC Thornton alumna Cynthia Phelps, principal violist of the New York Philharmonic, on the occasion of the orchestra’s November premiere of a concerto written for her by Composition doctoral candidate Julia Adolphe (MM ’12, composition). The concerto, Unearth, Release, which was co-commissioned by the Philharmonic and the League of American Orchestras… Continue reading Strings magazine celebrates alumna, violist Cynthia Phelps
Cellist Peter Myers wins position with San Francisco Opera orchestra
USC Thornton alumnus Peter Myers (MM ’10, GCRT ’13) is the new associate principal cello of the San Francisco Opera. In November, he was selected from a pool of over 50 invited cellists to join the company’s orchestra. A founding member of both the Saguaro Piano Trio and the SAKURA cello quintet, Myers has served… Continue reading Cellist Peter Myers wins position with San Francisco Opera orchestra