One of the strongest assets of a USC Thornton education is the personal network of contacts shared by alumni around the world. This area of the Thornton Web site allows you to keep in touch with classmates and colleagues and learn about alumni events.
Congratulations Class of 2008!
On Friday, May 16th, at the USC Thornton School of Music's 124th annual commencement ceremonies, members of the Class of 2008 joined the auspicious ranks of Thornton's alumni.
Grant Gershon (BM '85), Thornton alumnus and Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, delivered the commencement address and encouraged graduates to "seek truth with every note that you play, sing, compose or teach. Rejoice in this gift of music while you are on this planet for a short time."
Click here to read Gershon's complete commencement address.
USC Thornton Online Alumni Directory
The Directory Has Arrived!
Made specifically with Music School alumni in mind, the Online Directory allows alums to maintain a profile, search for former classmates, and receive news updates. Click on the link below to access the system.
Thornton Online Alumni Directory
Thornton Alumni in the News
- June 13, 2008
PRESS-TELEGRAM:
Thornton alum and composer
Sam Spence (DMA '50) conducted a four-movement suite from his National Football League music called "Sabers and Six-guns" at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro for the "Pops for Pop" concert June 13, 2008. He also conducted the world premiere of a fight song for his alma mater, USC, that is based on his football music, and which he has donated to the school. Spence has been composing music for NFL Films since 1966 and has also written music for "The Simpsons," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "The King of Queens." Steven Allen Fox, artistic director of the Golden State Pops Orchestra said of Spence, "When he gets up on the podium, he is very intellectual and sophisticated, full of fire and humor."
- May 30, 2008
VARIETY: Thornton alumnus and composer
Bear McCreary (BM '02) was recently featured in
Variety for his work on the hit Sci-Fi Channel show, "Battlestar Galactica." For four seasons and over 70 episodes, McCreary has been composing for the show, offering some of the most innovative music on television. "Musically, 'Galactica' pushes me," McCreary stated. "I am constantly being asked to develop and change. That is against the instincts of a lot of television music, which is to set up a sound and stick with it. I'm being asked to take risks and make daring musical decisions that, on another show, would get you fired."
- March 28, 2008
THE LDS NEWSROOM: Two-time USC alumnus
Dr. Mack Wilberg (MM '81, DMA '85) was officially named as the new music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. "As music director, Wilberg will oversee all musical and creative aspects of the choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Temple Square Chorale and the Bells on Temple Square, including selecting repertoire for concerts, recordings and tours and providing the creative direction for the weekly
Music and the Spoken Word broadcast."
- February 14, 2008
THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Jazz vocalist
Sara Gazarek (BS '04) was recently profiled in the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch and in the article she recalled her studies at Thornton. While there, she began to expand her musical boundaries, first listening to instrumental jazz, then focusing on other legendary jazz vocalists, the story reported. After being offered record deals, Gazarek asked for advice from John Clayton, whom she refers to as her “jazz father.” “John told me that before I recorded, I needed to have a distinctive sound,” Gazarek said. “And he told me the best way to do that was to work with my own group.”
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