A Sunday concert at the Troubadour in West Hollywood is more than the usual group of aspiring musicians that often takes place at local clubs: this one will feature nearly two dozen students who make up the first class of the popular music program. from USC, billed as the first of its kind at a major university by awarding bachelor’s degrees in pop music performance.
This is not the first foray of students into the public spotlight. Earth, Air and Fire; Frankie Valli; the four Seasons; the Steve Miller group; and Pentatonix.
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A student, Suemy Gonzalez, recently became the first in the program to receive a Grammy nomination when the mariachi band she is a part of, Trio Ellas, secured a Latin Grammy nomination at Regional Mexican Field.
Gonzalez and 20 of his peers from the popular music program will star on the show which begins at 7:30 p.m., multiple Oscar and Grammy Award winner Randy Newman is among the professional mentors who work closely with the program, led by the keyboardist-composer Patrice. Rushen. Randy Jackson and Lamont Dozier are expected to be present on Sunday. Free entry.
Full lineup for Sunday’s concert is available on USC’s Popular Music Program website.
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