Hollywood Painter Healing Painter Metin Bereketli - AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MUSIC ARRANGERS AND COMPOSERS | 2006 GOLDEN SCORE AWARDS | Friday,September 29, 2006 | Sheraton Universal Hotel

ASMAC HISTORY: 66 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG

In 1938, a group of composers and arrangers writing music for movies, being dissatisfied with the lack of appreciation for their efforts, decided to band together and form an organization to promote their general interests.

This group of arrangers and composers were outstanding practitioners of their art, and possibly, man for man, may not be equaled to the present day: Eddie Powell, Conrad Salinger, Walter Scharf, and many others. They dubbed their group "The American Society of Music Arrangers" (ASMA), the predecessor to ASMAC.

Despite the fact that they were also composers, they decided to stress their importance as arrangers, where their rights were sadly nonexistent. At that time, there were eight major studios, and each studio had its own thirty-five to fifty-piece staff orchestra on full employment. One of ASMA's first goals was to also be fully employed. When they tried to get a royalty for their orchestrations, they were dismally bound for failure, a situation that still exists in the 90's. They concentrated on other values, like screen credits, better working conditions, improved union scales, even parking privileges, and anything they could think of that might not be too objectionable to the powers that were.

The first president of ASMA was Robert Russell Bennett. In 1987 the name ASMA was changed to ASMAC, a belated recognition of the fact that most members were also practicing composers. The membership has now grown to over 500 and the goals and camaraderie are also continuing to expand by welcoming members who are, or have been, active in the preparation of music for movies, theatre, recording, television and live performances. Through monthly luncheons, seminars and master classes and workshops, and "Honor our Own" events, we strive to bring the long term members into contact with students and young professionals seeking to become composers or arrangers in an unofficial mentorship program.

ASMAC offers annual scholarships in both arranging and composing; and annually recognizes leaders in our field by presenting one or more of the following: The Golden Score Award; The President's Award; and the Irwin Kostal Award.

http://www.asmac.org

American Society of Music Composers and Arrangers • PO Box 17840 • Encino, CA 91416

Tel: (818) 994-4661
Fax: (818) 994-6181

John Clayton, ASMAC President

JAMES NEWTON HOWARD

James Newton Howard's career started in classical, and evolved into pop music before turning his focus to film scoring. Lady in the Water, King Kong, The Village, Batman Begins, Peter Pan, Hidalgo, Signs, America's Sweethearts, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Sixth Sense, The Fugitive, Alive, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Man in the Moon, and Pretty Woman are just a few of his 90+ film score credits. In addition this multi award nominated composer, songwriter, and producer received an Emmy for his Main Title Theme for Gideon's Crossing and ASCAP's Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement.

JEREMY LUBBOCK

Jeremy Lubbock launched his professional career as a pianist and vocalist in London and Paris, and quickly became known as an arranger, songwriter and record producer receiving 3 Grammy's and countless nominations. For the past 30 years he has worked with a who's who in the music business -- Quincy Jones, David Foster, Joni Mitchell, Chicago, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow, Patti Labelle, Michael Crawford, Neil Diamond, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Manhattan Transfer, Diane Schuur, Rod Steward, Toni Braxton, and the list goes on.