
Classes have ended, finals are over, and the Class of 2020 has completed their USC Thornton journey. It’s officially summer at Thornton, and there’s no better time to look back at the 2019-2020 school year and celebrate some of our favorite moments. It’s been a year for the memory books—from the inauguration of our new university president, to world-class performances, to watching students, faculty, and alumni respond to the shift to remote learning with resiliency and creativity—there is no shortage of incredible moments to remember. Join us each week as we celebrate another collection of stories from the 2019-2020 school year.
Week 1: The Thornton community | Week 2: Faculty opening doors | Week 3: It all starts here | Week 4: Award-winning artists | Week 5: Creative careers | Week 6: Collaboration for all | Week 7: Fresh releases

The 2019-2020 school year kicked off in style with the inauguration of President Folt, and ended under unprecedented circumstances as students and faculty adapted to remote learning. In its usual fashion, the USC Thornton community always rose to the occasion. These stories remind us how Thornton faculty, students and alumni show up for each other and our wider USC community.
Artists to the Stage |
USC Thornton Presents: Live! From Somewhere |
Silver Linings |

USC Thornton faculty are a bridge to transformational opportunities for our students. As educators and music professionals, they bring their knowledge and networks into the classroom, and create educational experiences that can launch careers. Read about how our faculty make it happen in these stories from the 2019-2020 school year.
Back and Forth |
One Degree of Separation |
Lessons in Real Time |
Every Note has a Purpose |

Students at USC Thornton know that a career in music doesn’t have to wait for graduation. As creative entrepreneurs, students draw on the community of music professionals in the Thornton network and their own tireless passion to start shaping their careers, and even launch career-making projects, from the halls of Thornton.
Opportunity Knocks |
Performing a Playlist |
Delivering Classical Guitars and Inspiration |
A Wild Ride for Darkroom |

Each year, USC Thornton students, faculty and alumni earn top honors and awards from across the music industry, and this year was no exception. Take a look at just a few of our award-winning artists from the 2019-2020 school year.
Juan Pablo Contreras nominated for Latin GRAMMY |
A Big Night for Music |
DownBeat 43rd Annual Student Music Awards |

Alumni of USC Thornton are adaptable and versatile artists, leading them to pursue varied careers that are as unique as they are. Read about how these Thornton graduates followed career paths that took them beyond the concert hall.
Jonathan Ong: The New Classical |
Instrument Repair |

Faculty at Thornton work closely alongside their students on exciting projects, giving students first-hand experiences collaborating on a professional level, and even leading to new opportunities after graduation.
Returning to Campus with a Collaboration |
A Golden Concerto |
The Festival Must Go On |

Thornton artists are always churning out fresh new music, and this year brought us an exceptional selection of new projects by alumni and faculty. This round up of recent releases may not scratch the surface of all the music made by Thornton artists this year, but it’s the perfect starting point for exploring the incredible breadth of music they create.
Sarkis Baltaian and Derek Polischuk, Latin American Music for 2 Pianos |
Kathleen Grace, Tie Me to You |
Ted Hearne, Place |
Remi Wolf, I’m Allergic to Dogs! |
Brian Robert Jones, Only Human Natural |
Bob Mintzer, Blue Soul |
Ambrose Akinmusire, on the tender spot of every calloused moment |
Daedelus, What Wands Won’t Break |
Enjoy more stories about the students, faculty and alumni of USC Thornton by browsing our Spotlights and News.