Students from the USC Thornton popular music program are ready to display a semester of hard work at the popular music showcases.
Thornton School of Music has two popular music showcases: The first-year student showcase which took place on Thursday, at Tommy’s Place, and the second-year student showcase which is happening tonight at 8 p.m., at Carson Soundstage (CTV 136).
The showcase is a midterm production for the Popular Music Performance course within the popular music performance major at USC Thornton School of Music. The showcase is made up of four bands performing a four-song set each, with songs ranging from 70s to current artists. The setlist was organized by professors and vocalists were assigned lead songs.
Sophia Condon, a sophomore studying popular music performance with a vocal emphasis, shares that sophomore students have been preparing weekly outside of class with already existing songs assigned to them by professors.
Condon said that the preparation for the event can be stressful as it takes place in the middle of the semester with other class assignments and midterms taking place.
In past years, the showcases have always been a big hit with USC students with a lot of festivities and fun for the audience.
“A lot of classic covers, a lot of things you’ve heard before, which is always nice to sing along to,” Julia Kempf, a senior opera major, noted. Kempf attended several showcases throughout her time at USC. “All the pop majors are just very talented.”
Popular music performance professor Sean Hall tells students that the pop music showcase allows for students to gain hands-on professional experience of performing festivals, venues and, most importantly, in front of a crowd.
“Getting onstage and performing every week has been so amazing for my confidence and nerves,” Roy Gantz, a senior studying public relations and advertising with a minor in songwriting said. “It’s kind of like exposure therapy, in a way. I feel so much more comfortable being seen onstage.”
Condon encourages students from all majors to check out the show.
“We’ve all put in so much work into this showcase, and so if you do choose to come out, it will be a great show and you’ll have fun.”
Admission to the first and second year student showcases are free and open to the public.