BMI and Sundance Announce 2003 Composers Lab Fellows

Posted in News on August 4, 2003
BMI and the Sundance Institute have announced the six participants selected for the 6th Annual Sundance Institute Composers Lab held at Sundance in Utah. This year's Composers Lab Fellows are Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli, Billy Childs, Courtney Von Drehle, Mark De Gli Antoni, Ronit Kirchman and Christopher Tin.

The lab kicked off on July 22 and will run through August 6. During the two-week lab, Fellows participate in workshops and creative exercises under the guidance of leading film composers and film music professionals. The Composer Lab participants also collaborate with filmmakers from the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program to create accompanying scores for scenes shot by the Filmmaker Fellows during the June Filmmakers Lab.

The Composers Lab is a major component of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, which is dedicated to supporting emerging film composers and enhancing the role of music in independent film. Originally running from 1986-1989, the Composers Lab was re-introduced in the summer of 1998 to provide a collaborative and supportive environment where composers could experiment and expand their musical language. The Composers Lab provides valuable first-hand experience in composing for film and enhances the musical understanding of independent filmmakers participating in the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program.

"We have a very exciting and eclectic group of composers coming from a wide range of styles and backgrounds and selected from hundreds of applicants," explained Peter Golub, Director, Sundance Institute Film Music Program. "The composers write and record music, work with the filmmakers, and in general participate in the artistic community at Sundance Institute. There is much 'cross-pollination' and an invigorating flow of ideas."

"This is a program that we've always been involved with - from its inception to its reintroduction in 1998. By supporting and educating composers who have unique and independent vision we're helping to foster a new community of original and important music. By pairing it with the Directors and Producers labs at the Institute, we're able to foster relationships and understanding of the creative process and help both sides understand the process behind each art."

In addition to their work with the Filmmakers Lab Fellows, Composers Lab participants will work under the mentorship of a distinguished group of film composers and filmmakers. This year's Creative Advisors include: composers Carter Burwell ("Fargo," "Adaptation"); George S. Clinton ("Austin Powers In Goldmember," "Joe Somebody"); Rolfe Kent ("Nurse Betty," "Legally Blonde 2" "About Schmidt"); Clint Mansell ("Pi," "Requiem For A Dream"); Ed Shearmur ("Charlie's Angels," "Wings Of The Dove"); Robert Kraft, President Of Fox Music; Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight; Director Peter Medak ("The Ruling Class," "Let Him Have It"); Film Music Agent Robert Messinger (First Artists); Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice-President, Film/TV Relations at BMI; and music editor Adam Smalley.

2003 Sundance Institute Film Music Lab Fellows

Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli
Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli is a Los Angeles-based composer of film scores and concert works. His most recent credits include "Revolution Os," which screened on the Sundance Channel; "Regresso A Casa," an official selection at the Los Angeles International Short Film Fest; and the forthcoming feature film "Lazarus."

Billy Childs
Billy Childs is an orchestral composer with a long list of commissions for organizations including the LA Philharmonic, LA Master Chorale, and is a jazz pianist who has worked with Dianne Reeves, Bobby Hutcherson, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard and Buster Williams.

Ronit Kirchman
A composer, songwriter, instrumentalist and electronic artist, Kirchman composed music for "Come Nightfall," a short-film shown at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. She has written numerous concert works, produced a string tribute to Jane's Addiction, and has worked with composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

Courtney Von Drehle
Courtney Von Drehle is a composer, bandleader, and accordion player. He is a member of the band 3 Leg Torso and has written music for numerous short films, dance pieces, and instillations.

Mark De Gli Antoni
Mark is a member of the rock group Soul Coughing. He composed music for "Cherish," which screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," a short film screened at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, as well as several short films directed by William Wegman.

Christopher Tin
Christopher Tin is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship at the Royal College of Music. He has written additional cues for "X-Men 2", and composed the score for the South African film "A-ZU-RE." He has worked with film composers Graeme Revell, John Ottman, Joel McNeely, and Klaus Badelt.

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