I mean, movie soundtracks were what got me going in music. It was my first exposure to the orchestra, really. I remember that day distinctly, when I decided I wanted to go into music...I was in 9th grade, and I was listening to the Return of the Jedi soundtrack. It was an awesome feeling, knowing that I had finally realized a dream. I wanted to play that music.
But in another life, I would've wanted to write music for the movies. For most of my career, I've always wanted to play most of all, with Hollywood being my ultimate goal. But I never wanted to write music for a movie...up until a couple years ago with the premiere of my 1st horn concerto and the praise I received for it. The conductor of the orchestra suggested I study at the Film Scoring Institute in Seattle. And I've been thinking a lot about it, which all sort of culminated when I watched the movie Frozen with my boys earlier this week. I had watched it shortly after it came out, and I remember I liked the orchestral soundtrack of it. But I hadn't listened to it until we watched it again the other day. I was completely blown away by it...not the popular songs, mind you, but all the orchestral music between the songs. It's outstanding, particularly the very end, called the "Epilogue". I definitely recommend checking it out. And actually, if you look up the Epilogue on Youtube and scroll down to the comments, people are praising this track immensely. It brings me joy.
And when I think more and more about it, I think about how cool it would be to write music like that, where soooo many people get to hear it. I mean, movie soundtracks are most people's only exposure to the orchestra. And it would be so cool to get that recognition.
I mean, sure, maybe I could still do that someday, but I would need to study composition at college, and have all the time in the world to write...which I don't have. And then the music I write would have to be outstanding.
Well, whether I have ambitions to write for the movies or not, I would still like to write more. I haven't really written anything new except my commission in April. I want to write a piece for my camp this summer...something really awesome...I wish I had the time.
Take care and value music.