506 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, California 90071

USC THORNTON SCHOOL OF MUSIC TO HONOR
USC PRESIDENT STEVEN B. SAMPLE AND KATHRYN SAMPLE AS WELL AS INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED OPERA STAR/USC ALUMNA MARILYN HORNE AT 23rd ANNUAL CHARLES DICKENS DINNER

Friday, December 11, 2009, 6:30 P.M., at The Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Celebration Marks Campus’s First Official Event Honoring Retiring President and His Wife – Who Will Be Presented with John C. Argue Dickens Medals of Honor by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – and
Concludes USC Thornton’s Historic 125th Anniversary Celebration Spanning 125 Days

The USC Thornton School of Music’s 23rd Annual Charles Dickens Dinner, on Friday, December 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m, at The Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, heralds two momentous turning points in USC’s considerable legacy: the impending retirement of USC President Steven B. Sample and the conclusion of USC Thornton’s historic 125th Anniversary celebration. Steven and Kathryn Sample will be presented with the prestigious John C. Argue Dickens Medals of Honor for their immeasurable contributions to USC and for helping to transform the school into one of the nation’s top research institutions during the nearly two decades Dr. Sample has served as the school’s president. This is the first official USC event to honor the Samples since Dr. Sample announced that he will retire in August 2010. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will bestow the medals upon the Samples. In addition, legendary Grammy Award-winning opera star Marilyn Horne, BM ‘ 53 – a National Medal of Arts recipient, described as “the Heifetz of singers,” who celebrated 26 years as a leading lady of the Metropolitan Opera and 39 seasons with the San Francisco Opera -- will be honored with the Thornton Legacy Award in recognition of her illustrious career and her deep commitment to fostering the next generation of musical artists.

“These three towering USC figures are the embodiment of this institution,” states Rob Cutietta, Dean of USC Thornton School of Music. “In both their personal and professional lives, Steve, Kathryn and Marilyn have consistently held themselves to the highest standards of excellence and dedication, touching lives and inspiring others around the globe. They are true visionaries, and we are deeply grateful to them for all they have done for the Trojan family and beyond.”

Gayle and Edward Roski are co-chairing the black-tie Dickens Dinner, which benefits USC Thornton and features a rich musical tradition. The gala, expected to draw some 400 guests, culminates Thornton’s unprecedented 125-day celebration of the prestigious music school’s 125th Anniversary. Founded in 1884, it is the oldest continuously operating cultural institution in Southern California and one of the oldest music schools in the country.

Costumed carolers and strolling instrumentalists – all drawn from Thornton’s exceptional student ranks – set a festive holiday tone. Jo-Michael Scheibe, chair of Thornton’s choral and sacred music department, conducts the famed USC Chamber Singers. Further showcasing students’ considerable talents are performances by a string quartet, a tuba quartet, a brass quintet, a harp quintet and a jazz pianist.

Also featured is a special musical tribute to Marilyn Horne performed by members of the USC Thornton Opera Ensemble and the USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Brent McMunn, conductor/music director of the USC Thornton Opera. Capping the performance is A Holiday Finale, arranged by acclaimed jazz pianist Patrice Rushen, MM ’76, currently serving as artist in residence for Thornton’s new popular music program, the first woman to serve as musical director for the Grammy Awards (for the 46th, 47th and 48th Annual presentations), and the first woman in 43 years to serve as head composer/musical director for television’s highest honor, the Emmy Awards.

Other event highlights include the presentation of the inaugural Kathryn and Steven B. Sample Scholar award to USC Thornton student Jake Reed, a Kansas City, Missouri, native who is pursing a master’s degree in jazz studies. Additionally, Korean national Joseph Kyungteak Lim, a second-year graduate certificate student in vocal performance, will be named the Marilyn Horne Scholar, an award established in the singer’s name in 1984. Lim is also participating in the operatic tribute to Ms. Horne.

Tickets to USC Thornton’s Charles Dickens Dinner are $500, $1,000 and $2,500; tables start at $5,000. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is located at 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA, 90014. For tickets and information, please call (213) 740-6474.

Official Website: http://www.usc.edu

Added by libbyhuebner on November 20, 2009

Interested 1