RECORDING FILM SOUNDTRACKS!

The theme for this studio year is “Soundtrack: Music from Movies & Video Games”! Great composers don’t just write for the concert hall—our students encounter incredible music every day through film, TV, and gaming. Composers like John Williams, Michael Giacchino, and Koji Kondo have gifted us earworms that conjure up magical worlds and beloved scenes. Students love to bring arrangements of their favorite soundtracks to lessons. We’re excited to highlight and explore this amazing body of work through our group class programming, newsletter content, and spring recital.

At the heart of every memorable movie or video game lies an equally remarkable soundtrack, weaving together melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to create an immersive experience for the audience. But have you ever wondered about the intricate process behind bringing these musical masterpieces to life? This month, we step inside the recording studio, where musicians, composers, and conductors collaborate to bring a story to life through sound.

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Typically the movie soundtrack’s composer leads the recording session. Having crafted a score based on a deep understanding of the narrative, characters, and emotions of the project, they work closely with the conductor, who will guide the orchestra through the score. The musicians, many of whom are seasoned professionals, typically have very little time to prepare the music in advance. Sometimes the recorded version that ends up on the big screen is their first reading of a piece of music! Read on to learn more about how composers, conductors, and performers bring movie music to life!