Joseph Pereira premieres “Naru” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
USC Thornton Director of Percussion Studies Joseph Pereira premiered his new concerto, Naru, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on May 29. Naru is an LA Phil-commissioned work Pereira composed for prinicipal percussionist Matthew Howard. It draws on the Japanese word for “becoming” and the idea that everything is continuously evolving. Conducted by Gustavo Gimeno, the… Continue reading Joseph Pereira premieres “Naru” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Jennifer Marotta, Equity Arc Wind Symphony Perform
Trumpet player and USC Thornton faculty member Jennifer Marotta was featured in a CBS “60 Minutes” segment that aired on March 16, covering the United States Marine Band concert with teens from Equity Arc that was canceled due to an executive order banning DEI programs throughout the government. The story covered how a new concert… Continue reading Jennifer Marotta, Equity Arc Wind Symphony Perform
Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
USC Thornton alumna Anne Ranzani (’19, MM ’21, GCRT ’23) has joined the Long Beach Symphony as principal bassoonist. Ranzani performs across California as the principal bassoonist for the California Symphony and Monterey Symphony, as well. At Thornton, she studied under the tutelage of Winds & Percussion faculty members Judith Farmer and Shawn Mouser. ***… Continue reading Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
Kana Funayama performed in Frances Walton Competition Solo Winners’ Tour
Kana Funayama, a percussionist and candidate for Artist Diploma at USC Thornton, performed in the Frances Walton Competition Solo Winners’ Tour. Funayama received last year’s prize for marimba and malleted instruments. She performed as a soloist alongside pianist Sean Yang on Sept. 10, 2024, in Chelan, Washington. *** Photo courtesy of Kana Funayama.
USC Thornton alumni perform for 60th Presidential Inauguration
USC Thornton alumni Ben Gunnarson (MM ’24), Andrew Jacobi (MM ’14, GCRT ’16) and Mary La Blanc (’22) participated in the 60th Inauguration of the President of the United States on January 20, 2025. As members of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, they performed at the swearing-in ceremony and marched in the inaugural… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni perform for 60th Presidential Inauguration
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
Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble
The Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University Wind Ensemble premiered USC Thornton Composition alumnus Robert Alexander’s (’18) piece, “That Thing,” on Oct. 15 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium in Nacogdoches, Texas. The piece was part of the Composing in the Wilderness program, led by adventurer-composer Stephen Lias and offered by the Fairbanks… Continue reading Robert Alexander’s piece “That Thing” premieres with Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Ensemble
Sal Lozano
Sal Lozano stands out as a leading saxophonist and educator. As a professor of saxophone at the USC Thornton School of Music, Lozano combines a distinguished performance career with a deep commitment to teaching. Lozano’s extensive performance experience includes collaborations with prestigious ensembles such as the Los Angeles Opera, Pacific Symphony and Santa Barbara Symphony.… Continue reading Sal Lozano
Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory
USC Thornton faculty and alumni participated in a recording at Sony Pictures for the upcoming album Chandra-X: Into Darkness, a musical celebration marking 25 years of space exploration and research through the lens of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Produced by Thornton faculty member Christian Amonson, the project will feature a 95-piece orchestra featuring faculty members… Continue reading Thornton faculty and alumni record 25th anniversary album for Chandra X-ray Observatory
Leigh Wilson wins principal percussion position with Spokane Symphony
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion graduate Leigh Wilson (GCRT ‘24)