<p>Morten Lauridsen, National Medal of Arts recipient, has established a new endowed scholarship for composition at the USC Thornton School of Music. To be awarded annually, the Lauridsen Scholarship will financially support graduate composition students, with preference given to those seeking master's degrees.</p>
<p>Recipients will earn the designation of "Lauridsen Composition Scholars."</p>
<p>Dr. Lauridsen has had a distinguished musical career. His compositions are played all over the world. At SC he founded the advanced studies program in film scoring, received the Ramo Music Awrd, the Phi Kappa Phi lifetime achievement award, Dean's Award for Professional Achievement and the Lambda Delta citation for teaching excellence among others. He also was the composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1990-2002. </p>
<p>The National Endowment for the Arts in 2006 named Professor Lauridsen an "American Choral Master."</p>
<p>Current Chairman of the Thornton Composition Department is Donald Crockett. Faculty include Dr. Lauridsen, Stephen Hartke, Fred Lesermann, Erica Muhl and Frank Ticheli.</p>
<p>More information on this new scholarship can be obtained at USC</a> Thornton School of Music .</p>