Composer Chuck Lee Named BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholar
Chuck Lee has been named the BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship recipient at UCLA Extension, it was jointly announced by BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President, Film/TV Relations and UCLA Extension's Jane Kagon, Interim Director, Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts Department. Lee is a Nashville-based composer who has been commuting to classes at UCLA Extension for the past three years.
 Shown congratulating Lee (seated) are BMI composer Jerry Goldsmith, UCLA Extension's Joseph Chang and BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross. |
The BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship, named in 1999 for the Oscar and Emmy winning film and TV composer, is presented semi-annually to a student in UCLA Extension's Film Scoring program, where composers learn and develop the specialized skills and contacts needed to pursue a successful career in film scoring.
“This scholarship is a continuation of our support in educating up-and-coming composers like Chuck Lee,” Ringer Ross said. “There are limited opportunities for new faces and voices to learn the craft of underscoring. The UCLA Extension Program provides an opportunity to learn the art of composing for film, and naming the scholarship for Jerry Goldsmith gives it the sense of mentorship we’d like it to have. There’s nobody more synonymous with the craft than Jerry Goldsmith.”
Goldsmith, whose credits include “Mulan,” “Star Trek,” “Basic Instinct,” “Chinatown” and many others, met with Lee in his studio upon the announcement. “It’s a great honor to have a scholarship award in my name,” he said. “I’m very interested in education and opportunities for young composers.” In addition to his affiliation with UCLA Extension, Goldsmith is a visiting professor in the Music Department at UCLA.
“We’re just delighted that BMI and Jerry Goldsmith are so committed to the emerging talent within UCLA Extension’s film scoring program,” says Jane Kagon. “Their support and mentorship speaks volumes about their dedication to their art, as well as the importance of continuing professional education in this complex and evolving field.”
Lee, a composer and music supervisor, earned a Masters of Music degree from Memphis State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Tennessee. He was the Assistant to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra Pops conductor, as well as a professional musician working for various artists including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Self, Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill. Having taken eight trips to Los Angeles this year alone, Lee said, “At UCLA Extension I found not only the education I expected, but phenomenal networking opportunities. It’s really conducive to the working professional. I can keep working on projects while I’m taking courses, and when something comes up professionally for me that I haven’t had much exposure to, I can always find an applicable course in the catalog.”
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