Carl St. Clair, Conductor Juchao Zhao, Violin Jason Bernhard, Trombone Andrew Edwards, Piano W.A. Mozart - Violin Concerto No.5, K.219, A major (Turkish) Launy Grondahl - Trombone Concerto Johannes Brahms - Piano Concerto No.2, op.83, B-flat major The virtuosity of the Thornton School of Music is on full display in this concert, featuring the winners of Thornton's annual concerto competition. Thornton students Juchao Zhao, Jason Bernhard, and Andrew Edwards join the Thornton Symphony as soloists in an evening of concertos, conducted by the Thornton Symphony's Principal Conductor and Artistic Leader Maestro Carl St. Clair. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

This year’s Paderewski Lecture-Recital honors the 80th death anniversary of Zygmunt Stojowski—composer, pianist and pedagogue. Stojowski was not only a colleague and friend of Paderewski, he co-founded what would become the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York and helped shape the careers of some the great pianists of the next generation. The Zygmunt and Luisa Stojowski Collection, which was gifted to the Polish Music Center in 2005, will serve as the basis of this exploration of a fascinating figure of the early 20th century who is often forgotten today. Special guests for this concert include the performer-lecturers of the Cracow Duo (Marek Szlezer, piano and Jan Kalinowski, cello) from Poland, alongside aselect quartet of USC Thornton students: Nathan Nguyen and Guy Grisham, violins, Solomon Leonard, viola and Dylan Tyree, cello. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

-- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Kick off the new schoolyear with Trojan Family Weekend! This multi-day event lasts from October 29th through November 1st. Interested members of the Trojan family can register University-wide using this link. -- Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Kick off the new schoolyear with Trojan Family Weekend! This multi-day event lasts from October 29th through November 1st. Interested members of the Trojan family can register University-wide using this link. -- Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Kick off the new schoolyear with Trojan Family Weekend! This multi-day event lasts from October 29th through November 1st. Interested members of the Trojan family can register University-wide using this link. -- Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Kick off the new schoolyear with Trojan Family Weekend! This multi-day event lasts from October 29th through November 1st. Interested members of the Trojan family can register University-wide using this link. -- Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

USC Thornton students compete for the school's top chamber music prize. Watch the process unfold as esteemed USC Thornton faculty evaluate the immense talent in our student body. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

ADMISSION: Admission is free and open to everyone. Reservations required. RSVP beginning Thursday, October 1, at 10 a.m. RSVP DESCRIPTION: “Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding have an uncanny way of making the fleeting, unknowable parts of pop music something to be understood, not just appreciated.”—Indiewire Hosted by USC professor Nate Sloan and NYU professor Charlie Harding, the acclaimed podcast Switched on Pop has been listening closely to pop hits for over a decade, decoding our modern soundtrack through music theory and cultural analysis. What to Expect In this live recording of the podcast, Sloan and Harding will break down current hits and beloved classics through live performances by USC Thornton students and special guest artist and USC alum Jensen McRae. Whether you’re a devoted pop fan, an aspiring musician, or simply curious about what makes a hit song stick, you'll leave hearing and understanding music in a whole new way. Bios: Charlie Harding is the co-host of the award-winning podcast Switched on Pop, where he unpacks the craft and cultural significance of popular music. A songwriter, educator, and associate professor at Berklee College of Music, Harding brings expertise in songwriting, music analysis, and creative practice to conversations about the songs that shape our lives. Nate Sloan is the co-host of the acclaimed podcast Switched on Pop, which explores the music, theory, and cultural impact behind today’s biggest songs. A musicologist and professor at the USC Thornton School of Music, Sloan specializes in popular music, music history, and music theory, helping audiences hear familiar hits in new ways. Jensen McRae is a Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter and USC alum whose incisive lyrics and powerful voice have earned widespread acclaim. Signed to Dead Oceans, she blends folk, pop, and indie influences into emotionally resonant songs that explore love, identity, and resilience. Her sophomore album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!, further established her as one of the most compelling young songwriters working today. Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Nate Sloan (Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Thornton School of Music.

The USC Percussion Group honors America 250 with a celebration of the diverse voices that have shaped or embody the American spirit. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Thornton Edge presents Olly Wilson's virtuosic masterpiece, A City Called Heaven, David Stock's delightful Quick Opener, and the premiere of a work by MM student Hogni Egilsson. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Nov. 19, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 20, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 21, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 22, 2026 | 2:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Carl St.Clair, Conductor Soloists TBA Program Viet Cuong– Vital Sines Ludwig van Beethoven– Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” Maestro Carl St. Clair takes the podium with the Thornton Chamber orchestra for Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, which marked the beginning of the composer's innovative middle period. The program also features Thornton student soloists in Vital Sines, a concerto grosso by world renowed Vietnamese-American composer Viet Cuong. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Nov. 19, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 20, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 21, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 22, 2026 | 2:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Nov. 19, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 20, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 21, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 22, 2026 | 2:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Nov. 19, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 20, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 21, 2026 | 7:30pm Nov. 22, 2026 | 2:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

USC Collegium Musicum Directed by Jason Yoshida Join us in celebrating the 400th anniversary of the death of English composer John Dowland, with his music of melancholy, mirth, and dancing desire. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.

With special guest Mary VanHoozer on the hurdy gurdy, the Thornton Baroque Sinfonia will perform Latin American holiday music. Rotem Gilbert and Jason Yoshida will direct. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.

Directed by Adam K Gilbert & Rotem Gilbert For more than a millennium, philosophers, theologians, and composers have explored the profound links between music, math, the planets, and heavenly harmony. Join us as we explore music about the planets, from Medieval chant, to Renaissance humanism, to compositions by Adam Gilbert inspired by Johannes Kepler. This program features music recently recorded for a Ciaramella release by Yarlung Records. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.

Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Donald Crockett, Conductor Program TBA The Thornton Symphony's annual New Music for Orchestra concert features the works of current Thornton composition students, conducted by Composition Chair Professor Donald Crockett. Pieces from this yearly concert have gone on to be performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and many more. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

-- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Directed by Rotem Gilbert and Jason Yoshida, the Thornton Baroque Sinfonia will perform selections from Henry Purcell. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.

Join USC Thornton's Popular Music program as their seniors celebrate the culmination of their degrees by performing their best work on the big stage. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The 26th Annual Pop Conference returns to USC Thornton in 2027. Complete conference information will be shared in the coming months.

The 26th Annual Pop Conference returns to USC Thornton in 2027. Complete conference information will be shared in the coming months.

The 26th Annual Pop Conference returns to USC Thornton in 2027. Complete conference information will be shared in the coming months.

The Studio Guitar Department under the leadership of Nick Stoubis presents their ensembles at an evening in the Carson Sound Stage. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

The composition department presents a program of works for digital media by Thornton student composers. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Directed by Jason Yoshida, the USC Collegium Musicum will perform music from Renaissance Spain. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.

La Calisto By Francesco Cavalli Libretto by Giovanni Faustini Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Apr. 21, 2027 | 7:00pm Apr. 23, 2027 | 7:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

ADMISSION: Admission is free and open to everyone. Reservations required. RSVP beginning Monday, March 1, at 10 a.m. DESCRIPTION: Travel across centuries of musical innovation in an evening that pairs beloved Baroque masterpieces with a landmark contemporary work. The USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra, led by Dr. Lucinda Carver, opens with J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 and G.F. Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, two celebrated Baroque works that are known for their vitality and grandeur. Then, Dr. Cristian Grases will conduct the USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra and USC Thornton Chamber Singers in Alberto Grau’s award-winning La Doncella, which blends drama, energy, and texture in a striking counterpart to Bach and Handel. This Is One Part of a Series! This concert is the first event in the series, Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts, bringing internationally acclaimed choral leaders Alberto Grau and María Guinand from Venezuela to USC for performances and conversations that reveal how music can foster connection and social change. Grau and Guinand created Construir Cantando, an initiative that parallels Venezuela’s El Sistema by using choral training to empower youth from underserved communities. Related Events: The Choral Music of Alberto Grau Friday, April 23, at 8 p.m. Newman Recital Hall More info and RSVP Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts Saturday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium More info and RSVP Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Cristian Grases (Choral Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Thornton School of Music, USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and Promotora de las Bellas Artes. Photo: Ryan Miller

Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

La Calisto By Francesco Cavalli Libretto by Giovanni Faustini Brent McMunn, conductor Ken Cazan, stage director & set concept Bing Theatre USC University Park Campus Apr. 21, 2027 | 7:00pm Apr. 23, 2027 | 7:00pm Tickets will be available through the USC Ticket Office online or call 213-740-4672. Walk up purchases will be available at the theater box office. Free admission to anyone with a valid USC ID. -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts ADMISSION: Admission is free and open to everyone. Reservations required. RSVP beginning Monday, March 1, at 10 a.m. DESCRIPTION: Explore the artistry and imagination of acclaimed Venezuelan composer Alberto Grau in a lecture-recital led by Dr. Cristian Grases and performed by the USC Thornton Chamber Singers. What to Expect: Through commentary and live performances of Alberto Grau’s sacred works and folk-inspired compositions, audiences will be treated to an inside look at the polyrhythms, vocal techniques, and expressive harmonies that have made Grau an influential figure in contemporary choral music. This Is One Part of a Series! This is the second event in the series, Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts, bringing internationally acclaimed choral leaders Alberto Grau and María Guinand from Venezuela to USC for performances and conversations that reveal how music can foster connection and social change. Grau and Guinand created Construir Cantando, an initiative that parallels Venezuela’s El Sistema by using choral training to empower youth from underserved communities. Related Events: From Past to Present: The Music of Bach, Handel, and Grau with the USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra and USC Thornton Chamber Singers Wednesday, April 21, 8 to 10 p.m. Bovard Auditorium More info and RSVP Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts Saturday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium More info and RSVP Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Cristian Grases (Choral Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Thornton School of Music, USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and Promotora de las Bellas Artes.

ADMISSION: Admission is free and open to everyone. Reservations required. RSVP beginning Monday, March 1, at 10 a.m. DESCRIPTION: An inspiring evening will showcase the role of music in fostering equity, opportunity, and community with presentations by choral leaders María Guinand and Alberto Grau, who created the groundbreaking initiative Construir Cantando to empower young people in Venezuela through choral music, and performances by the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and Estorinos, a youth choir from Mexico. What to Expect Dr. Guinand will kick-off the evening with a presentation about Construir Cantando, its nearly 40-year legacy, and its impact on social development through choral music. She will then join Maestro Grau for a panel conversation about the challenges and benefits of arts-based social impact projects. Following the short panel, audience members will get to see this work in action with a concert showcase featuring the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and Estorninos, the premiere ensemble of Promotora de las Bellas Artes from Mexico. This Is One Part of a Series! This is the last event in the series, Construir Cantando: A Model of Social Transformation through the Arts, bringing internationally acclaimed choral leaders Alberto Grau and María Guinand from Venezuela to USC for performances and conversations that reveal how music can foster connection and social change. Related Events: From Past to Present: The Music of Bach, Handel, and Grau with the USC Thornton Wednesday, April 21, 8 to 10 p.m. Bovard Auditorium More info and RSVP The Choral Music of Alberto Grau Friday, April 23, at 8 p.m. Newman Recital Hall More info and RSVP Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Cristian Grases (Choral Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Thornton School of Music, USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and Promotora de las Bellas Artes.

Directed by Rotem Gilbert and Jason Yoshida -- Admission is free and open to the public. Complete programming and ticketing information for this event will be announced soon. Any details currently listed may represent only a portion of the full program and ticketing information. Please check back for updates!

Directed by Rotem Gilbert and Jason Yoshida, the Thornton Baroque Sinfonia will perform selections from Bach and Telemann. All EMSI events are free and open to the public.