University of Southern California

Sharon Lavery opened the season featuring our Strings Department Chair, Lina Bahn, with "Ladder to the Moon" by Michael Daugherty.  We also gave the west coast premiere of "Afrospire" by one of Thornton's student composers, Bakhari Nokuri.  Frank Ticheli was present for our rehearsals and concert as we performed two of his compositions: "Rest" and "Blue Shades.

Second concert of the season was conducted by Maestro Carl St.Clair, with two of the four composers on the program present for rehearsals and the concert.  Andres Soto was present to hear the world premiere of his composition: "Rhapsodie Aerea", and Peter Boyer witnessed the performance of his "Bicentennial Fanfare."  Our saxophone studio shined as they performed Viet Cuong's concerto for saxophone quartet and wind ensemble entitled "Second Nature."

When we return in the Spring, we will give the world premiere of "L.A. Rising," a concerto for oboe and wind ensemble by Boston-based composer, Betsy Schramm.  USC is the lead school for the commissioning project of this composition, and it will feature our oboe professor Marion Kuszyk of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  On the same concert we will perform Michael Daugherty's new work entitled "Cadillac Ranch" as part of the consortium led by Sarah McKoin of Texas Tech University.  Maestro Daugherty will be on site to attend rehearsals and the concert.

Our season will concludes with a visit from guest conductor, Maestro Jerry Junkin, as he leads the Thornton Winds in Maslanka's Symphony No. 8 and Schoenberg's Theme and Variations, Op.43a