Francisco Fullana named Principal Violinist of Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Violinist Francisco Fullana, an Artist Diploma student of USC Thornton distinguished professor and Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin, Midori Goto, has been named Principal Violinist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO). The position carries significant leadership responsibilities with the esteemed ensemble, which has transitioned to a largely conductorless model in recent years. Fullana will… Continue reading Francisco Fullana named Principal Violinist of Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Looking back at the 2016 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival
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Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz appointed as Assistant Professor at APU
USC Thornton alumnus Marek Szpakiewicz (MM ’01, DMA ‘08) has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Cello Studies at Azusa Pacific University’s (APU) School of Music. Szpakiewicz has been teaching cello at APU since 2005 and is the Director of Chamber Music. Szpakiewicz’s students have performed as soloists with the APU Symphony Orchestra and have… Continue reading Cellist Marek Szpakiewicz appointed as Assistant Professor at APU
Kaleidoscope 2016-17 season includes several Thornton premieres
The Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra has released plans for its 2016-17 season. Following an ambitious international call for scores, the ensemble will premiere works by USC Thornton alumni Saad Haddad (BM’14, composition), Patrick O’Malley (MM’15, composition), and Gernot Wolfgang (GCRT ’94, film scoring), as well as Thornton doctoral candidate, Julia Adolphe, among others. Currently in its… Continue reading Kaleidoscope 2016-17 season includes several Thornton premieres
Strings students shine in competition
Students of the USC Thornton Strings department have shown excellent performance in recent competitions across the United States. Cellist Gabriel Martins, a student of Ralph Kirshbaum, won the concerto competition at the Aspen Music Festival and School last summer, performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1. Martins was also selected to perform the Hidemith Cello Concerto… Continue reading Strings students shine in competition
Thornton takes center stage in new USC NCAA spot
Last week, the University of Southern California debuted its new 2016 institutional TV spot to national audiences during the NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the University of Alabama. The 30-second spot, which will air throughout the athletic season, highlights the arts USC and features a number of USC Thornton student musicians. close… Continue reading Thornton takes center stage in new USC NCAA spot
LA Phil celebrates Martin Chalifour’s 20 years at the Hollywood Bowl
Martin Chalifour, principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and USC Thornton Strings faculty member, celebrates his 20th season performing at the Hollywood Bowl with a concert on September 6th. Chalifour joins the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for a program of favorites by Johann Strauss Jr., Richard Strauss, and composer-violinist Fritz Kreisler, under conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya.… Continue reading LA Phil celebrates Martin Chalifour’s 20 years at the Hollywood Bowl
Harpist Katherine Redlus to perform with the Four Larks theater troupe
Harpist and USC Thornton Strings alumna Katherine Redlus (MM ‘16, harp performance) will perform with the musical theater troupe The Four Larks when their original production, The Temptation of St Antony, returns to the stage this month. Redlus performed in the production’s debut last year, which was featured in L.A. Weekly’s “Best of L.A. 2015.”
Strong Thornton presence among performers and composers at Carlsbad Music Festival
USC Thornton alumni will be widely represented at the annual Carlsbad Music Festival in the San Diego area this weekend (August 26-28). Among the festival’s main stage artists is the HOCKET piano duo, which includes current Composition DMA candidate Thomas Kotcheff (MM ’12, Composition) and Composition faculty member Sarah Gibson (MM ’10, DMA ’15, Composition).… Continue reading Strong Thornton presence among performers and composers at Carlsbad Music Festival
Thornton alumni perform at the Salzburg Festival
Several USC Thornton alumni are performing at the celebrated Salzburg Festival this summer, including the Calder Quartet (violinists Benjamin Jacobson BM ’01, MM ’07 and Andrew Bulbrook BM ’02; violist Jonathan Moerschel BM ’01, MM ’03; and cellist Eric Byers BM ’03), which presented a program of works by Thomas Adès, György Kurtág, and Franz… Continue reading Thornton alumni perform at the Salzburg Festival