Colin Hay and Eden Contez sing on a darkened stage. Behind them can on the right be seen the wind and brass sections. To their left is the guitar, piano, drums, bass, and part of the string section. Behind them is a large screen displaying the 6th Annual SCL Awards logo.

The 6th Annual SCL Awards

The 6th Annual SCL Awards were held on Wednesday, February 12th, in Los Angeles, California. SoS once again assembled the orchestra and provided music preparation. In addition to the winners of competitive categories, the ceremony also honored the filmmaker-composer team of Ridley Scott and Harry Gregson-Williams with the Spirit of Collaboration Award, which featured Gregson-Williams conducting live performances of pieces from The Martian and Kingdom of Heaven.

Hosted by Grammy winner Colin Hay, the 6th SCL Awards featured musical performances by Eden Kontesz, Colin Hay, the SAG-AFTRA Singers, and an orchestra featuring LA’s finest musicians.

The 6th Annual SCL Awards Orchestra:

Tom Scott – tenor sax, clarinet
Jacob Scesney – tenor sax, clarinet, flute
Jeff Driskill – alto sax, flute
Ian Dahlberg – bari sax, oboe, english horn, flute

Laura Brenes – french horn

Ryan Deweese – trumpet, flugelhorn
Knox Summerour – trumpet, flugelhorn
Chris Tedesco – trumpet, B-flat french horn

Andy Martin – trombone
Craig Gosnell – trombone, bass trombone

George Doering – guitar, oud
Rich Ruttenberg – keyboards
Trey Henry – acoustic & electric bass
Gary Novak – drumset
M.B. Gordy – percussion

Stephanie Bennett – harp

Alyssa Park – violin (concertmaster)
Kyle Gilner – violin
Songa Lee – violin
Julie Rogers – violin
Shalini Vijayan – violin
Irina Voloshina – violin

Colleen Sugata – viola
Lynne Richburg – viola

Evgeny Tonkha – cello
Charlie Tyler – cello

The 5th Annual SCL Awards

The Society of Composers and Lyricists’ 5th Annual SCL Awards were held on Tuesday, February 13th in Los Angeles, California. The Awards were hosted by Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Siedah Garrett. Garrett opened the ceremony with a barn-burning arrangement of her song “Shug Avery” from the 2023 film The Color Purple. She closed with her song “Man in the Mirror”, made famous by Michael Jackson, which Garrett co-wrote with Glen Ballard.

The ceremony also honored the filmmaker-composer team of Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson with the Spirit of Collaboration Award, which included a performance of Robertson’s song “Between Trains” from Scorsese’s The King of Comedy by 6-time Grammy-winning recording artist, Jason Isbell.

In addition to accompanying these acts, the orchestra performed Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn”, and the song “Somewhere Out There” from the film An American Tail sung by Zola Odessa and Danny Duran III in a beautiful “In Memoriam” segment.

Symbols of Sound handled the hiring and management of the orchestra and provided music preparation services. SoS has had a role in the music of every SCL awards to date.

SCL Mentees Visit SoS

SoS provides workshop for 2022-2023 SCL Mentorship Program

The Society of Composers & Lyricists Mentor Program gives a select group of SCL composers and songwriters an introduction to the screen music industry. This week, current mentees visited the SoS office to discuss music preparation. The SCL always selects a skilled, thoughtful, group; and this year was no exception.

The discussions focused on what composers need to understand when dealing with music preparation. The topics touched on orchestration, arranging, transcription, music copying, budgeting, planning, and music preparation billing. Examples were provided to illustrate some of the principles and terms.

Danita Ng-Poss and Jason Poss had hosted mentees for several years before the COVID pandemic. This was the first time in two years that the SCL mentees were back in person.

The 4th Annual SCL Awards

Yesterday was The Society of Composers & Lyricists’ 4th Annual SCL Awards. SoS provided music preparation and contracted the all-star lineup of Hollywood musicians. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Darren Criss, and featured performances by Criss, Rizzi Myers, Priscilla Ahn, and and Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz.

After last year’s highly successful show, the SCL made this their biggest ceremony yet with an expanded orchestra, rhythm section, and choir. It proved to be great move with a sold-out show and accolades all around.

SoS has been a part of every SCL Awards since their inaugural ceremony four years ago providing music preparation, managing the hiring of musicians, and consulting on union contracts and procedures.

This project also marked the joyful return of Danita Ng-Poss to the SoS team after completing her term as Secretary/Treasurer of AFM Local 47.

Barlow & Bear perform at the 3rd Annual SCL Awards

The 3rd Annual SCL Awards

Yesterday was the Society of Composers & Lyricists’ 3rd Annual SCL Awards. SoS provided music preparation and contracted the all-star lineup of Hollywood musicians. This year’s ceremony featured performances by Aloe Blacc, Barlow & Bear, Judith Hill, Tom Scott, and world-champion accordionist Cory Pesaturo.

Jason Poss and SoS have been a part of every SCL Awards since their inaugural ceremony three years ago providing music preparation, managing the hiring of musicians, and consulting on union contracts and procedures.