Trojans Rock Out with Some of the Biggest Names in Music
USC students drum up experience in the pop and rock music world before they even graduate.
It’s not every music school that has music industry veterans as professors and students on tour with rock legends. But at the USC Thornton School of Music, opportunities abound, thanks to its deep connections to the music business and its renowned programs in popular music, jazz and the music industry. These are just a few of the highlights:
Rocked Out with a Guitar Legend
Trumpeter Ethan Chilton, a junior; saxophonist Nathan Collins, a senior; and trombonist Steven Robinson ’18 toured with music legend John Fogerty this summer. The trio, all part of USC Thornton’s Jazz Studies program, were invited to play 30 shows with Fogerty, who is a Trojan parent.
Learned about the Festival Circuit
Trojans dreaming of creating the next sold-out music festival have been learning the ins and outs of event production from industry pioneer Kevin Lyman, the man behind the Vans Warped Tour, North America’s longest-running music festival. Lyman joined the USC faculty this fall.
Saw the Life of an A-List Manager
Trudy Green has managed the careers of The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Lauryn Hill and more. Considered one of the most successful music managers in entertainment, the new USC Thornton professor leads students into the exclusive world of professional music management and touring.
Performed on the Biggest Jazz Stage
Pianist Luca Mendoza and bassist Logan Kane, both jazz studies majors, shared the stage with celebrated saxophonist David Binney this summer at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the world.
Jammed in the U.S. and Abroad
Thumpasaurus, a funk band that formed at USC, toured the United Kingdom and California this summer. The group features senior Logan Kane on bass. Recent grads include keyboardist Paul Cornish ’18, saxophonist Henry Solomon ’18, guitarist and singer Lucas Tamaren ’16 and drummer Henry Was ’16.
