Posts Tagged ‘Strings’


Conductor leading a classical ensemble on stage.

Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”

November 10, 2023

Jeffrey Kahane, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member and conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, will conduct the world premiere of “Violin Concerto: Traces,” composed by Thornton Composition faculty member Nina Young. The piece will be performed by violinist Jennifer Koh on Nov. 11 at the Alex Theatre and Nov. 12 at… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”


Gregg Field being interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning.

Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini

October 25, 2023

USC Thornton Board of Councilors Chair Gregg Field was featured in a new CBS Sunday Morning segment on the late composer Henry Mancini. Field discussed the fame of Mancini’s film and television music, such as the ubiquitous “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The segment included a recording session of his… Continue reading Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini


Close up photograph of a classical string instrument.

Cellist Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula

October 16, 2023

Cellist and USC Thornton non-degreed alumnus Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula, an annual conference showcasing thinkers, visionaries and performers. The conference took place at Old Town Temecula Community Theater on September 30. Biryukov is the principal cellist and artist-in-residence at the Temecula Valley Symphony. He is the founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Los… Continue reading Cellist Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula


A violinist plays on stage in concert attire.

Sharon Lavery and Veronika Krausas featured in Daily Trojan

October 11, 2023

On Sept. 11, the Daily Trojan reviewed the USC Thornton Symphony’s opening concert of the fall semester. The article featured interviews with resident conductor and Winds & Percussion chair Sharon Lavery, and Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas. Lavery spoke about the significance of each piece in the repertoire, such as “Caryatids,” which was composed by… Continue reading Sharon Lavery and Veronika Krausas featured in Daily Trojan


Cellist Quenton Blache holding his instrument and standing outside.

Composer and cellist Quenton Blache to make Carnegie Hall debut

September 27, 2023

USC Thornton Composition and Cello Performance alum Quenton Blache (‘23) will make his Carnegie Hall debut with the chamber orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi. The concert takes place on on October 20 at 7 p.m. in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. The program will open with Blache’s New York premiere of Habari Gani, named after the Swahili… Continue reading Composer and cellist Quenton Blache to make Carnegie Hall debut


Ensemble Delirium Musicum pose for a photo.

Delirium Musicum wins three S.F. Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards

September 21, 2023

Delirium Musicum, a chamber ensemble founded by violinist and USC Thornton alumnus Etienne Gara (GCRT ‘13), won three San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards. In addition to Best Chamber Ensemble and Best New Music Ensemble, they won Best Orchestral Performance for the performance of their latest album, SEASONS, at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian… Continue reading Delirium Musicum wins three S.F. Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards


Photograph of Seth Parker Woods

Cellist Seth Parker Woods included in Pew Grant

September 14, 2023

Seth Parker Woods, a celebrated cellist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member, was included in a major grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, alongside artist Barbara Earl Thomas. As part of a major grant won by the Arthur Ross Gallery, Woods and Thomas will present a new collaborative work for the Philadelphia… Continue reading Cellist Seth Parker Woods included in Pew Grant


USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler standing in front of yellow bushes wearing a black coat and taking off glasses.

Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere

September 14, 2023

On September 30, USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler (MM ’17, BM ’14) will conduct 54 current students in the premiere of Unforgettable Sunrise, a 70 minute symphony by Jacob Rock and Rob Laufer. Rock, a non-verbal teenager with autism, communicated his idea for the symphony through an app on the iPad. To help realize his… Continue reading Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere


Violinist Francisco Fullana

Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad

August 31, 2023

Francisco Fullana, a violinist and USC Thornton alumnus (GCRT ‘15), was featured in The Strad on August 7. He discussed the childhood summers in Andalusia that inspired his latest album, Spanish Light. “One of my earliest recollections involves walking hand in hand with my great-grandmother on a hot summer night, as music and laughter filtered… Continue reading Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad


Astral Mixtape string quartet with their instruments in tunnel lit by red neon.

Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition

August 17, 2023

Astral Mixtape, which features USC Thornton alumni Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20), Juan-Salvador Carrasco (MM ’19, GCRT, ’20) and Michael Siess (MM ’19), was named a winner of the 2023 Astral Artists National Competition. The chamber ensemble is one of seven winners who have been invited to join the artist roster in Astral’s 23/24 season. Still… Continue reading Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition