Final Note: Thomas Stevens

Life Member. Trumpet
7/29/1938 – 7/15/2018

by the LA Philharmonic Association

Thomas Stevens, former principal trumpet player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on July 14, 2018, in Cambria, CA.

Thomas Stevens was appointed to the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1965 by then-Music Director Zubin Mehta, who named him principal trumpet in 1972, a position he held until 2000. He served in the same capacity with the World Orchestra for Peace, Sir George Solti’s hand-picked group assembled in Geneva for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, and the Casals Festival Orchestra in Puerto Rico. Continue reading →

LA Phil’s 100 for the 100th: Be Our Guest

LA Phil partners with L.A. County to make 10,000 free Walt Disney Concert Hall tickets available during centennial season

Breaking down economic barriers to Walt Disney Concert Hall and ensuring that its Centennial will be a celebration for all of L.A., the Los Angeles Philharmonic today announced that it will collaborate with the Los Angeles County Supervisors through its Education Department to distribute 10,000 free tickets to concerts during the anniversary season, October 2018 through June 2019. Continue reading →

Celebrate LA! LA Phil 100

Katy Perry Joins Special Guest Lineup for Celebrate LA!
LA Phil 100 at the Bowl

Global superstar Katy Perry will join the lineup of special guest artists for Celebrate LA!: LA Phil 100 at the Bowl, a free concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at 7 p.m.

Perry will join Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonicto perform a short set of top hits from her illustrious career. Previously announced special guests include Herbie Hancock, Kali Uchis, and YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Continue reading →

Leaving Storybrooke…

Series finale of ‘Once Upon a Time’ receives Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Music Composition

Recording music with a full-scale orchestra of experienced session players is making a mark in high-quality television productions.

Once considered only for films, sweeping orchestral scores are growing in popularity on the small screen due to technology of TVs that deliver sound comparable to a cinematic experience. Continue reading →

In the Recording Studio: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

This incredible footage from the scoring session “Text Ting Swing” and “Love Theme” for the Warner Brothers film Crazy Rich Asians was shot by Aris Stoulil on the Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage in Burbank, California. The orchestra included more than 60 members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. Continue reading →

Final Note: Patrick Williams

Life Member. Composer
4/23/1939 – 7/25/2018

by Jon Burlingame

Patrick Williams, the Emmy- and Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer-arranger-conductor, died of complications from cancer July 25 in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 79.

Williams, known to friends and fellow musicians as “Pat,” was a highly respected and beloved figure in both New York and Hollywood musical circles. His jazz albums earned 19 Grammy nominations (winning twice) and his television scores earned a total of 22 Emmy nominations (winning four times). Continue reading →

“Leaving Storybrooke” – ‘Once Upon a Time’ Episode receives Emmy nom for Outstanding Music Composition

Los Angeles musicians have done it again! Composers Mark Isham, Cindy O’Connor and Michael D. Simon received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series – Original Dramatic Score for their work on ABC’s Once Upon a Time episode “Leaving Storybrooke.” Continue reading →

Final Note: Neil Argo, Composer and Orchestrator on Aaron Spelling dramas, dies at 71

Member. Composer
5/28/1947 – 8/2/2018

Composer and orchestrator on Aaron Spelling dramas dies at 71

Neil Argo, a composer and orchestrator who worked on such shows as “Dynasty,” “Beverly Hills 90210” and the long-running nature documentary series “Wild America,” has died. He was 71. Continue reading →