BMI Composer David Newman on Making Film Music with Meaning
A highly prolific composer with a career that spans three decades and over a hundred motion pictures, David Newman has devoted his life to his passion for film music. Born into a family with a rich musical pedigree, Newman became an accomplished violinist, pianist, conductor and composer in his own right, and has spent the last thirty-five years scoring a host of successful films. His tireless work has earned him numerous accolades, from the prestigious Richard Kirk Award from BMI for his significant contributions to film and television music to an Academy Award nomination for his work on the animated 1997 film, Anastasia.
His music has enriched popular movies from box office successes like Danny DeVito’s Hoffa and War of the Roses to cult classics like Heathers and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure through comedy classics like Tommy Boy to perennial family favorites like Matilda and Ice Age and all cinematic points in between. He served on the Board of Governors of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, was elected president of the Film Music Society in 2007, and continues to serve on the Board of the American Youth Symphony. When not composing a new project, Newman tremendously enjoys conducting with a live orchestra to bring beloved film scores to life on the concert stage.
Newman holds the art, traditions, legacy and lessons of classic film composition sacrosanct, and speaks with thoughtful, infectious zeal when engaged on the subject. BMI caught up with him recently for a brief discussion, and he graciously expounded. Watch this celebrated BMI composer discuss his approach to film music.
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