BMI honored the composers of music featured in the past year's top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs May 21 at its annual Film & Television Awards. Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the black-tie gala was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations Vice President Doreen Ringer Ross, who handed out more than 80 BMI Crystals throughout the evening.

View Full List of Award Winners

A highlight of the ceremony took the form of the Richard Kirk Award presentation to esteemed composer Christopher Young. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music. As the 2008 honoree, Christopher Young joins an elite list of peers that includes George S. Clinton, Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS), Jerry Goldsmith, Thomas Newman, Michael Kamen, Mark Mothersbaugh, Danny Elfman, Alan Menken, Mike Post, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams.

Award-winning composer Christopher Young has carved out an enviable niche in the upper pantheon of Hollywood composers. The UCLA Film School alumnus first turned heads with fiendish scores for horror and science fiction projects, and he proceeded to garner accolades for work on macabre and fantastical films including Hellraiser, its Saturn award-winning sequel and Species, along with BMI award-winners Ghost Rider, The Grudge and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Young became a master of suspense, composing music for thrillers including Copycat and BMI honoree Entrapment, as well as dramatic and critical tours-de-force including Golden Globe nominee The Shipping News, Wonder Boys, Rounders and BMI award-winner Swordfish. He also fleshed out the haunting nuances and electrifying action sequences of box office gold Spiderman 3. The New Jersey native has also excelled in television composition, earning two Emmy nominations for telefilms Last Flight Out and Norma Jean & Marilyn. A dedicated mentor, Young has taught classes at USC, served as an advisor for the Sundance Institute's Film Composers Lab and created an innovative residential development to house aspiring composers in Los Angeles.

BMI also presented the Classic Contribution Award to Peter Golub in recognition of his progressive direction of the Sundance Institute's Film Composers Lab for the past ten years. An accomplished composer of film, theatre, ballet and concert works, Golub is a natural fit for the lab, which aims to enhance the role of music in independent film. His acute composition work includes scores for documentaries I.O.U.S.A. and Wordplay, along with films including The Great Debaters. Universally acknowledged as an unparalleled apprenticeship for the next generation of composing elite, the workshop has invaluably benefited from Golub's creative intuition and steady guidance.

BMI's Emmy-winning composers were also feted; the accomplished list included George Fenton (PRS) for the awe-inspiring documentary Planet Earth: Pole to Pole; William Ross for the 79th Annual Academy Awards; Lenny Williams for Nature: Christmas in Yellowstone; Yoav Goren for The XX Olympic Winter Games: The Stories of Torino; Katreese Barnes for Saturday Night Live's "Dick in a Box"; Gary Deinstadt, Billy Barber, Ron Komie, Danny Pelfrey and David Traugh for Guiding Light; along with Wes Boatman and John Henry Kreitler for "Love is Ecstasy" from Passions.

Legendary rocker turned lauded composer Pete Townshend (PRS) took home the evening's most awards, with three BMI Crystals for CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Composers garnering two awards each were Steve Jablonsky for Transformers and Desperate Housewives; Rupert Gregson-Williams (PRS) for Bee Movie and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry; George Fenton for Fool's Gold and Planet Earth: Pole to Pole; Mychael Danna for Surf's Up and Medium; Aaron Zigman for Step Up 2: The Streets and Why Did I Get Married?; Kevin Kiner for Amazing Race and CSI: Miami; Mike Post for Law & Order and Law & Order SVU; and Matt Koskenmaki for Hell's Kitchen and The Ultimate Fighter.

The night's winning composers for top-grossing films and critically acclaimed gems also included past Richard Kirk Award recipient Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS) for Shrek the Third, Trevor Rabin for National Treasure: Book of Secrets, legendary composer and past Richard Kirk Award recipient Lalo Schifrin for Rush Hour 3, John Ottman for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Mark Mancina for television drama Criminal Minds, Randy Edelman for romantic comedy 27 Dresses, Tyler Bates for horror favorite Halloween and pop music architect Brian Wilson for HBO dramedy series Big Love.

During that weekend, BMI and the SCL hosted a screening of Enchanted with both Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz participating in a Q&A with journalist Jon Burlingame.

BMI’s Linda Livingston, Richard Kraft, Billboard magazine’s Tamara Conniff and Alan Menken.

Jesse Harris, Linda Livingston, Tamara Conniff; and Alan Menken.

The SCL’s Dan Foliart, BMI’s Anne Cecere, Alan Menken, Jon Burlingame and the SCL’s Laura Dunn.

George S. Clinton

BMI Classic Contribution Award

Lucas Richman

BMI Film Music Awards

David Arnold: Casino Royale
Tyler Bates: 300
Teddy Castellucci: Wild Hogs
Teddy Castellucci: Little Man
George S. Clinton: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Charlie Clouser: Saw III
Mychael Danna: Little Miss Sunshine
Alexandre Desplat (Sacem) The Queen
Danny Elfman: Meet The Robinsons
Danny Elfman: Charlotte’s Web
Danny Elfman: Nacho Libre
Harry Gregson-Williams: Flushed Away
Harry Gregson-Williams: Déjà Vu
Rupert Gregson-Williams: Over The Hedge
Rupert Gregson-Williams: Click
John Murphy (PRS): Miami Vice
David Newman: Norbit
John Ottman: Superman Returns
Theodore Shapiro: The Devil Wears Prada
Theodore Shapiro: Blades Of Glory
Theodore Shapiro: You, Me And Dupree
Alex Wurman: Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Christopher Young: Ghost Rider
Aaron Zigman: Bridge To Terabithia
Aaron Zigman: Step Up

Oscar Award Winner

Gustavo Santaolalla: Babel

Golden Globe Award Winner

Alexandre Desplat (Sacem): The Painted Veil

BMI Television Awards

Chris Daughtry: American Idol
Carim Clasmann (PRS): Grey’s Anatomy
Galia Durant (PRS): Grey’s Anatomy
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI
Danny Elfman: Desperate Housewives
Steve Jablonsky: Desperate Housewives
Robert Del Naja (PRS): House
Grantley Marshall (PRS): House
Andrew Vowles (PRS): House
Kevin Kiner: CSI: Miami
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI: Miami
Mark Mancina: Criminal Minds
Bill Brown: CSI: NY
Pete Townshend (PRS): CSI: NY
Brian Kirk:  Ncis
Chuck Lorre: Two And A Half Men
Dain Blair:  Deal Or No Deal
Tony Phillips: Deal Or No Deal
Joel Wachbrit: Shark
Peter Manning Robinson: Without A Trace
Mike Post:  Law & Order: Svu
Jeff Beal:  Ugly Betty
Martin Davich: ER
David Schwartz: Rules Of Engagement
Rob Cairns:  Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Charlie Clouser: Numb3rs
Chris Wagner: The New Adventures Of Old Christine

Emmy Award Winners

Edward Shearmur: Masters Of Horror
Chris Biondo: National Geographic Explorer - Deadly Love
Harry Leonard Williams: National Geographic Explorer - Deadly Love
Greg O’connor: “A Wonderfully Normal Day” From MADTV
Jim Wise:  “A Wonderfully Normal Day” From MADTV
Bradley Hatfield: “Sunshine” From THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

BMI Cable Awards

Natasha Bedingfield (PRS): The Hills
Danielle Brisebois: The Hills
James Levine: The Closer
Alex Wolff: The Naked Brothers Band
Michael Wolff: The Naked Brothers Band
Nat Wolff:  The Naked Brothers Band
Howlin’ Wolf: The Sopranos
James Johnston: WWE Raw
Bruce Hanifan: Deadliest Catch
Terri Nunn: Angela’s Eyes
Mitchell Sigman: Angela’s Eyes
Steve Hampton: The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Gary Scott: The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody
Gwendolyn Sanford: Weeds
Gary Stockdale: Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
Rolfe Kent: Dexter
Daniel Licht: Dexter
Matt Koskenmaki: The Ultimate Fighter
Jarrid Mendelson: The Ultimate Fighter
James Levine: Nip/Tuck

BMI honored the composers and songwriters of the music from the past year's top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs at its annual Film & Television Awards. Held May 16 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the black-tie gala was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations Vice President Doreen Ringer Ross, who handed out more than 80 BMI Crystals throughout the evening.

View the Film/TV Awards List

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the BMI Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement to multitalented film composer George S. Clinton. The prestigious award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music, with past honorees including Jerry Goldsmith, Thomas Newman, Michael Kamen, John Barry, Mark Mothersbaugh, Danny Elfman, Alan Menken, Mike Post, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams.

George S. Clinton's versatility and musical prowess have placed the Grammy-nominated maestro in the upper-echelon of Hollywood composers. The recipient of six BMI awards and composer for myriad films, Clinton's scores have lent depth to thrillers including Mortal Kombat and Wild Things ; supplied deft timing to comedic smashes Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and its two sequels; and helped paint poignant moments in Joe Somebody , quirky moods in 3,000 Miles to Graceland and foreboding atmospheres in The Astronaut's Wife . An active member of the film community, Clinton also serves as an advisor at the Sundance Institutes' Composers Lab.

BMI also recognized accomplished conductor and composer Lucas Richman with the Classic Contribution Award for ten years of service leading BMI's celebrated Conductor's Workshop. A BMI composer, Richman has led the workshop since its inception. Presently Music Director and Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Richman is a leading expert in conducting and composing, having fashioned an outstanding career as a conductor with numerous symphonies and orchestras in the U.S. as well as collaborator with numerous film composers as their conductor, recording scores for such films as the Academy Award-nominated As Good As It Gets, Face/Off, Seven, Breakdown, Anastasia and The Village.

BMI's Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning composers were also feted, including Gustavo Santaolalla, whose score for Babel earned him his second Academy Award for Original Score; and Alexandre Desplat (SACEM), whose score for The Painted Veil earned him a Golden Globe award for Best Original Score – Motion Picture.

Danny Elfman took home the evening's most awards, with four BMI Crystals for Meet The Robinsons, Charlotte's Web, Nacho Libre and Desperate Housewives. Composer Theodore Shapiro took home three awards for The Devil Wears Prada, Blades of Glory and You, Me and Dupree; and Pete Townshend (PRS) was once again a triple winner for CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY .

Composers who took home two awards were Teddy Castalucci for Wild Hogs and Little Man; Charlie Clouser for Saw III and Numb3rs ; Harry Gregson-Williams for Flushed Away and Déjà Vu; Rupert Gregson-Williams for Over The Hedge and Click ; and Aaron Zigman for Step Up and Bridge To Terabithia. Other award winners were Jeff Beal for Ugly Betty ; Rolfe Kent and Daniel Licht for Dexter ; Bruce Hanifan for Deadliest Catch ; Steve Jablonsky for Desperate Housewives ; Alex Wolff, Michael Wolff and Nat Wolff for The Naked Brothers Band ; Carim Clasmann (PRS) and Galia Durant (PRS) for Grey's Anatomy; Dain Blair and Tony Phillips for the hit series Deal Or No Deal, and many others.

Shown after the performance are (l-r): BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, composer Bruce Babcock, Festival Director/Founder Gregory Cherninsky, composer Aaron Zigman, Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church Music Director Nick Strimple, and composers Bruce Broughton, Don Davis and Gernot Wolfgang. Photo by Annamaria DiSanto

The Beverly Hills International Music Festival was founded in 2004 to bring the best of classical chamber music to a city generally known for its array of elegance and to provide intensive study opportunities for students. During the Festival, young musicians have the opportunity to hear the faculty artists perform in recitals and work with them in master classes, lectures and private lessons. Students are offered at least four private lessons, one Master Class with one of the faculty artists, participation in the Chamber Orchestra Workshop, and participation as a soloist in the Festival's closing gala performance. ]]> 2006-09-08T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334947 Artists, Brown, Bill, Fernandez, Charles , Frizell, John, Holden, Mark, Jones, Ron, Moore, Lennie, Newman, David, Ottman, John, Velasco, Cris, Zigman, Aaron, Musical Styles, Film-TV Composer Expo, presented by Turner Classic Movies and Film Music Magazine. The expo was held in Los Angeles and featured BMI composers David Newman, John Ottman, Aaron Zigman, Charles Fernandez, Mark Holden, Ron Jones, Lennie Moore, John Frizell, Bill Brown and Cris Velasco, who each spoke at the one-day event. Livingston served as a host and judge for TCM's 2006 Young Film Composers Competition dinner and award ceremony, where Los Angeles composer Darrell Raby was chosen as the Grand Prize winner.

Shown at the event are BMI's Anne Cecere and Linda Livingston, composer David Newman, movie critic Leonard Maltin, and TCM's Katherine Evans and Tom Karsch.

The inaugural Composer Expo focused on the artistry and technical craftsmanship of film, television and multimedia music during a 12-hour symposium of seminars, panel discussions, networking and learning opportunities, which brought together the best and brightest composers, music supervisors and other industry professionals.

The 6th annual Composer/Director Roundtable, entitled "Music & Film: The Creative Process," will be held on Wednesday, January 25 from 11am to 1pm at the Sundance House at the Kimball Art Center (638 Park Avenue). The panel is open to festival badge and ticket holders. Tickets are available at sundance.org and at Festival ticket offices.

This year's roundtable will be moderated by BMI's Vice President of Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross, and will feature composers Aaron Zigman (Alpha Dog), David Kitay (The Darwin Awards), Stewart Copeland (composer/screenwriter/director Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out, Rumblefish), Peter Golub (composer/director Wordplay, Sundance Composers Lab), Mychael Danna (Little Miss Sunshine, Capote), Craig Richey (Friends With Money), David Julyan (The Descent), Anthony Marinelli (Dreamland) and Terence Blanchard (Mo' Better Blues, The 25th Hour, Sundance Composers Lab Advisor), and directors Nick Cassavetes (Alpha Dog), Finn Taylor (director/screenwriter The Darwin Awards), Patrick Creadon (Wordplay), Neil Marshall (director/screenwriter The Descent), Jason Matzner (Dreamland) and Haskell Wexler (director/cinematographer Who Needs Sleep?).

The panel will focus on the role music (both score and source) plays in film, the composer/director relationship, the growing role of documentaries and the art of scoring for that medium, as well as budgets and creative expansion of the form.

The 4th annual BMI Songwriters Snowball will take place later that evening from 6pm to 8:30pm. This acoustic, singer/songwriter showcase, also being held at the Sundance House, is an official 2006 Sundance Film Festival event and is open to festival badge holders, press passes and invited guests only; tickets will not be sold.

Michael Penn	Van Hunt

As part of BMI's goal to focus attention on the role of music in film, this year's Songwriters Snowball will feature four unique artists whose voices and vision complement that of the filmmakers showcased at the Festival. Performers include Southern California singer/songwriter Cary Brothers (Garden State soundtrack) at 6pm, Bedroom Classics/Nettwerk Music Group recording artist Josh Rouse at 6:30pm, Grammy nominee and Capitol Records artist Van Hunt at 7pm, and Mimeograph recording artist Michael Penn at 7:30pm.

Josh Rouse	Cary Brothers

As a 15-year supporter of the Festival's film music program, BMI also plays an active role in the Sundance Composers Lab held each summer at the Sundance Institute.

The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film. Held each January in and around Park City, Utah, the Festival is a core program of Sundance Institute, a nonprofit cultural organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Presenting 120 dramatic and documentary feature-length films in seven distinct categories, and 80 short films each year, the Sundance Film Festival has introduced American audiences to some of the most innovative films of the past two decades, including American Splendor, Clerks, Hustle and Flow, Maria Full of Grace, Napoleon Dynamite, sex, lies and videotape, Smoke Signals and Super Size Me. Beyond the streets of Park City, sundance.org shares the Festival experience with a global audience through the streaming of short films, filmmaker interviews, current news and box office information.]]> 2006-01-05T17:00:01-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334641 Artists, McGraw, Tim, Zigman, Aaron Aaron Zigman conducted the 85-piece Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra for his new score to Flicka, a remake of the 1943 family favorite My Friend Flicka.

Shown at the Newman Scoring Stage at the 20th Century Fox Studios are contractor Sandy DeCrescent, Fox Music President Robert Kraft, agent Laura Engel, director Michael Mayer, BMI composer Aaron Zigman, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross and agent Richard Kraft.

The film, directed by Michael Mayer and starring BMI country artist Tim McGraw and actress Alison Lohman, tells the tale of a young girl who claims a wild horse as her own in an effort to prove to her father that she is capable of one day taking over the family ranch. Flicka is due to be released in theaters in February 2006. ]]> 2005-12-13T17:00:00-05:00