Special Guests and more Special Guests

People sometimes ask, "what makes GSPO different?"  For example:


Special Guests (and this isn't the complete list from the past six seasons)

Richard Sherman, guest composer
Stu Phillips, arranger
Lisbeth Scott, vocalist
Nathan Barr, guest composer
Austin Wintory, guest composer & conductor
Alyssa Park, violin
Timothy Loo, cello
Chase Masterson, narrator
Cécelia Tsan, cello, Memoirs of a Geisha
Susan Egan, vocalist
Jeffrey Schindler, conductor
Bonnie Snell Schindler, mezzo soprano
William Stromberg, guest conductor
Sean Murray, composer
Emilie A. Bernstein, orchestrator
Russell Brower, composer
Laura Karpman, composer
Joey Newman, composer
Gerard Marino, composer & conductor
Bear McCreary, composer & conductor

Christopher Young, composer John Ottman, composer Marco Beltrami, composer Sam Spence, composer & conductor J. R. Richards, vocalist

Premieres and more Premieres

People sometimes ask, "what makes GSPO different?"  For one:


World Premieres

The Golden State Pops Orchestra has focused on live concert performances of film music from its inception. Due to the orchestra's connections with the film and music industry in Los Angeles, it has been able to perform many pieces of music for the first time outside the original films, often with the original composer in attendance or even conducting the orchestra. Some of the world or national premieres that have been performed by the GSPO include:

2011

• John Debney: Music from Elf, as arranged by Victor Pesavento (December 17, 2011)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber: Phantasia, based on The Phantom of the Opera, as arranged and orchestrated by Geoffrey Alexander. Featuring Alyssa Park, violin and Timothy Loo, cello. (North American premiere: October 29, 2011)
• Austin Wintory: Boxes of Earth, with the composer conducting. Featuring Lisbeth Scott, vocalist (October 29, 2011)
• Nathan Barr: Collection of Cues from the HBO series True Blood, with the composer in attendance. Featuring Lisbeth Scott, vocalist (October 29, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: The Eyes of Love, a song deleted from film Mary Poppins, as arranged by Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Mary Poppins Medley, consisting of songs from the film Mary Poppins, as arranged and adapted by Victor Pesavento and Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Animation Medley, consisting of songs from the films The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Aristocats, Charlotte's Web and The Jungle Book, as arranged and adapted by Victor Pesavento and Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Four Forgotten Dreams, orchestral setting by Stu Phillips (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Overture from the film Tom Sawyer, as arranged and orchestrated by John Williams (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a medley consisting of Hushabye Mountain and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as arranged by Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Fortuosity, from The Happiest Millionaire, as arranged by Victor Pesavento and Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Enchanted Journeys, a medley of music from Disney Theme parks, including The Wonderful World of Color, Magic Journeys, The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, and There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, as arranged by Jonathan Hughes (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: The Slipper and the Rose Waltz, a tone poem based on themes from the film The Slipper and the Rose, as arranged by Stu Phillips (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Ten Feet Off The Ground, from the film The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band as arranged by Stu Phillips (September 24, 2011)
• Richard M. Sherman: Five Rockin' Oldies, a medley of The Monkey's Uncle, Tall Paul, Pineapple Princess, Let's Get Together, and You're Sixteen, as arranged by Stu Phillips (September 24, 2011)
• Jerry Goldsmith: The Gold Standard, a medley of thirty of Goldsmith's film score themes, as arranged by Austin Wintory (June 11, 2011)
• Sean Murray: Deviant from the video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops, with the composer and the orchestrator in attendance (April 9, 2011)
• Austin Wintory: Journey - Suite I, with the composer conducting. Featuring Tina Guo, cello soloist (April 9, 2011)
• Gerard Marino: City of Darkness/City of Light from the video game DC Universe Online, with the composer conducting (April 9, 2011)
• Russell Brower: The Shattering from the video game World of Warcraft: Cataclysm with the composer in attendance (April 9, 2011)

2010

• Christopher Young: Concerto to Hell (End Credits) from the film Drag Me to Hell featuring the violin soloist from the original soundtrack, Mark Robertson (October 30, 2010)^[2]
• Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Tomorrow, Op. 33 from the film The Constant Nymph featuring guest conductor Jeffrey Schindler and mezzo soprano Bonnie Snell Schindler. (West coast premiere - October 30, 2010)^[3]
• Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time (West coast premiere - May 22, 2010)
• James Horner: concert suite from the film Avatar (February 6, 2010)
• Christopher Young: End Credits from the film Creation, with the composer in attendance. Featuring Paul Henning, solo violin & Jonathan Hughes, piano (February 6, 2010)
• Michael Giacchino: Lost Suite from the television series Lost (North American Premiere - February 6, 2010)
• Alex North: Blanche from the film A Streetcar Named Desire, as arranged by film composer Elmer Bernstein (February 6, 2010)
• Leonard Bernstein: Love Theme from the film On the Waterfront, as arranged by film composer Elmer Bernstein (February 6, 2010)

2009

• John Ottman: End Titles from the film Astro Boy with the original orchestrator, Jason Livesay, conducting and the composer in attendance (October 24, 2009)
• Stu Phillips: Variations for Piano and Orchestra featuring Robert Thies, piano (October 24, 2009)^[4]
• Stu Phillips: Buck Rogers Suite #1 from the television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century with the composer conducting (October 24, 2009)^[5]

• Stu Phillips: The Name of the Game is Kill from the 1968 film of the same name, with the composer conducting
• Bear McCreary: Colonial Anthem Variations from the television series Battlestar Galactica with the composer conducting (October 24, 2009)
• Wataru Hokoyama: Afrika and Savanna from the video game Afrika with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Timothy Michael Wynn: Red Faction: Guerilla Suite from the video game Red Faction: Guerrilla with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Gerard Marino: The End Begins (To Rock) from the video games God of War II and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Laura Karpman: O'er Thai Landis from the video game Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (May 16, 2009)
• Christopher Lennertz: Main Title from the video game Warhawk with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Christopher Lennertz: Gun Suite from the video game Gun with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Russell Brower: Main Title from the video game World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King with the composer in attendance (May 16, 2009)
• Austin Wintory: The World of flOw from the video game flOw with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
• Austin Wintory: Captain Abu Raed Suite from the film Captain Abu Raed with the composer in attendance (February 7, 2009)
• Elmer Bernstein: Elmer Bernstein Medley from the films The Great Escape, Stripes and The Magnificent Seven as arranged by Victor Pesavento (February 7, 2009)

2008

• Bernard Herrmann: Suite from the film Mysterious Island (October 25, 2008)
• Bernard Herrmann: Children of Hydra's Teeth from the film Jason and the Argonauts (October 25, 2008)
• Irving Gertz: Eskimos Attacked from the film The Deadly Mantis with the composer in attendance (October 25, 2008)

Note: This was the final concert the composer attended before his death on November 14th, 2008.

• Max Steiner: Selections from the 1933 film King Kong as reconstructed and orchestrated by John Morgan & William Stromberg (October 25, 2008)
• Joseph LoDuca: Main Title from the film The Messengers (October 25, 2008)
• Hans J. Salter and Frank Skinner: Suite from Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (October 25, 2008)
• Frank Skinner: Main Title and Finale from the film Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (October 25, 2008)
• Herman Stein: Suite from the 1955 film Tarantula (October 25, 2008)
• George Shaw: J-ok'el from the film J-ok-el: Legend of La Llorona with the composer conducting (October 25, 2008)
• Steven Allen Fox: Unleashed: A Journey Into Fear with the composer conducting and featuring Melissa Kaplan, soprano (October 25, 2008)
• Sam Spence: Ye Sons of USC (Fight Song donated to the University of Southern California) with the composer conducting (June 14, 2008)
• Christopher Lennertz: Main Title from the video game Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault with the composer conducting (May 24, 2008)
• Christopher Young: Main Theme from the film Murder in the First with the composer in attendance (February 9, 2008)

2007

• Jerry Goldsmith: Suite from the film Omen III: The Final Conflict as reconstructed by Leigh Phillips (October 27, 2007)
• Marco Beltrami: Suite from the films Scream and Scream 2 with the composer in attendance (October 27, 2007)
• John Ottman: Suite from the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with the orchestrator, Damon Intrabartolo, conducting and the composer in attendance (June 9, 2007)^[6]
• John Ottman: Superman Returns Concerto from the film Superman Returns with the orchestrator, Damon Intrabartolo, conducting and the composer in attendance.

Also featured the pianist from the original soundtrack, Eric Anderson, playing the solo part (June 9, 2007)

• Bob & Barn: Suite from the video game MediEvil: Resurrection with the composers in attendance (February 3, 2007)
• Jason & Nolan Livesay: Triwizard Suite from the DVD Game to the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with the composer, Jason Livesay, conducting (February 3, 2007)
• Joey Newman: Main Title from the video game Lineage (February 3, 2007)
• Colin O'Malley: Suite from the video game Superman Returns (February 3, 2007)

2006

• Dimitri Tiomkin: The First Christmas for orchestra, soprano soloist and choir (December 17, 2006)
• Steven Allen Fox: Overture from Symphonic Suite from Battleworlds with the composer conducting (August 20, 2006)

2005

• Christopher Young: Suite from the film Urban Legend with the composer in attendance (October 30, 2005)
• John Williams: Battle of the Heroes from the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (North American premiere - May 21, 2005)
• Dimitri Tiomkin: The Fall of Love (for string orchestra) from the film The Fall of the Roman Empire (April 9, 2005)
• Elmer Bernstein: End Credits from the film Three Amigos (February 19, 2005)

Why are we so excited about the GSPO 2012-2013 Season?

My dream when founding GSPO, and vision for its future, has always been centered around film music and the concept of making it a respected concert art form.  For ten years we have built an orchestra and corporation that brings me great pride.  The large numbers of special guests, premieres, great music and musicians is overwhelming to think about.  Now my excitement has risen to new levels with the amazing things the 2012-2013 Season promises to bring.

For the first time an entire GSPO season is focused on film music.  The only exception would be some of the traditional holiday music in our "Holiday POPS Spectacular!", and a few selections in "Music from the Star Wars Universe" (some will be from video games, cartoons, and music to the book Shadow of the Empire).  The Great Composer Tribute honoring Alan Silvestri will be some of his best film music, with the great film music producer from Varese Sarabande records, Robert Townson, as host.  Then in May we will be presenting what will be the triumph of all GSPO shows...ever!!!  The official international kickoff of the Varese Sarabande 35th Anniversary.  A collaboration between what I like to think of as the ultimate film music orchestra and the ultimate film music record label (yes, I am biased).

For over three decades, Varèse Sarabande Records has been home to more of film music’s greatest composers than any other label.  Founded in the spring of 1978, Varèse Sarabande became the first label solely dedicated to film music – releasing dozens of new film scores each year, along with countless classics from Hollywood’s glorious Golden Age.  Many of the label’s first recordings were produced by the great George Korngold and conducted by the legendary likes of Miklós Rózsa and Elmer Bernstein.   Over the years, the Varèse film music family grew to include virtually everyone you could think of, but with over 80 releases, no composer’s music appeared more frequently on the label than Jerry Goldsmith’s.  Now with a catalog of over 1500 soundtrack albums, which grows by 60 to 70 titles each year, Varèse Sarabande remains the most prolific film music label in the world.

Townson will host the evening and present highlights from the label’s past, with music by Jerry Goldsmith (RUDY), Alex North (SPARTACUS) and Georges Delerue (World Concert Premiere of Academy Award-winning A LITTLE ROMANCE, featuring flute soloist Sara Andon), plus a wide selection of contemporary blockbusters by Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, John Powell, Danny Elfman and many others.  

I have only one bit of advice...buy your tickets now!  This is the first season where all GSPO shows are assigned seating.  BUY NOW!

Holiday POPS Spectacular rehearsals

It is always exciting to develop, produce and prepare for a concert.  All the behind-the-scenes work makes the actual performance a thrill.  Here are two clips of a recent rehearsal for our upcoming Holiday POPS Spectacular with the GSPO Holiday Choir.  The music is from the motion picture "Elf", by John Debney and arranged by Victor Pesavento.

GSPO Sherman Tribute on KUSC

What does ten years of GSPO look like?

GSPO's 10th Anniversary season kicks off September 24. Ten years of entertainment through the art of music. What does ten years look like?

- over 70 performances
- three home venues (Los Alamitos Joint Forces Military Base, Long Beach Event Center and the Warner Grand)
- over 125,000 audience members
- over 50 Premieres

I will just say. You ain't seen nothing yet.

5 Ways To Prepare For "A Spoonful of Sherman," GSPO's Sept. 24 tribute

1. Snag a copy of "The Sherman Brothers Songbook," an excellent 59
track, two CD compendium of the Sherman Brothers' work, spanning 42
years.  Amazon has it: http://tinyurl.com/3pcoleq

2. Check out critically acclaimed, "The Boys: the Sherman Brothers'
Story," a 2009 documentary film directed and produced by their sons,
Gregory V. Sherman and Jeff Sherman, executive produced by Ben
Stiller, and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.  Available on
Netflix streaming!

3. Visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6918 Hollywood Blvd.

4. Watch some of the films they scored:

The Parent Trap
The Sword in the Stone
Mary Poppins
The Happiest Millionaire
The Jungle Book
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The Aristocats
Bedknobs & Broomsticks
Tom Sawyer
Charlotte's Web
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Tigger Movie

5. And of course... don't forget to get your tickets at GSPO.com !