USC Thornton School of Music Appoints New Chair in Strings and Chamber Music

Cellist Seth Parker Woods will begin his new role from the upcoming academic year

Seth Parker Woods has been appointed as University of Southern California (USC) Thorton School of Music’s new Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music. 

Woods has been an Assistant Professor of Practice for Cello and Head of String Chamber Music at the Thornton School since Fall 2022. He is also the founder and director of the Thornton Chamber Virtuosi, a chamber collective of both faculty and students that perform local and national concerts. 

An acclaimed cellist and performance installation maker, Woods released his well-received debut solo album in 2016, “asinglewordisnotenough.” His 2023 album “Difficult Grace” on Cedille Records was nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY Award for Best Instrumental Classical Solo, plus was named contributor to the Producer of the Year Classical nomination for Elaine Martone. 

Woods is also the featured soloist in Wild Up’s GRAMMY-nominated Eastman Project: Eastman Vol. 4: The Holy Presence, an exploration of composer Julius Eastman’s works on religious themes. 

In recent years, he has performed at the BBC Proms in Royal Albert Hall, Aspen Music Festival, Isabella Gardner Museum, The Wallis Annenberg Center, Das Haus, and Musée d’art Moderne et Contemporain. His upcoming engagements include solo performances with the Spoleto Festival, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic.

Previously, he served as Artist in Residence with the Kaufman Music Center and the Seattle Symphony.

His accolades include the Pew Grant for the Arts with Barbara Earl Thomas, Seattle Symphony Silver Gala Honoree, and Chamber Music America Visionary Award. 

A graduate of Brooklyn College and Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel, Woods completed his PhD studies at the University of Huddersfield. 

“He has generously deployed his professional network and relationships with major presenters to enrich student life and success at the school,” said USC Thornton School of Music’s Dean, Jason King in an email to the Thornton Classical Division. 

“He has made significant contributions to our recruitment efforts; he is deeply committed to initiating new traditions at the school; and he is actively engaged as a faculty member,” King added. “Professor Woods embodies the forward-looking artist and musician that the Thornton School of Music aims to cultivate in its students. He is an inspiring beacon of excellence for our school. Please join me in congratulating him on this prestigious honor. We plan to share a wider public message about Professor Woods’ appointment once the school year begins.”