BMI Composers Come Together for K17 Fire Relief Benefit Concert

BMI was very proud to co-sponsor the K17: Fire Relief Benefit Concert at Los Angeles’ Village Recording Studios, last Saturday, wherein proceeds from ticket sales went in support of musicians whose homes burned during the recent Palisades and Eaton fires. The sold-out event raised an estimated $35,000 and included performances by composers James Newton Howard, Aaron Zigman, Anna Drubich, Stephanie Economou, Harry Gregson-Williams, Peter Golub, and Marco Beltrami (ASCAP), each conducting their own works.  Among the 43-piece orchestra, all of whom donated their services, five musicians lost their homes in the recent LA wildfires.

James Newtown Howard opened proceedings with a suite from his score to Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Peter Golub, who lost his studio in the Palisades fire, wrote and conducted “Reverie and Waltz,” a piece composed especially for the event in which he dedicated to James Newton Howard and his wife Annica in appreciation of their friendship and support after the wildfires. Stephanie Economou conducted a suite from My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Anna Drubich played a stirring suite from her score to The Master and Margarita. Harry Gregson-Williams played music from his score to Gone Baby Gone, as well as a non-film piece called “Two Girls with Sparklers.” Aaron Zigman closed the evening with a non-film piece called “Hope,” as well “Once Upon a Night” from Émigré.

Prior to conducting, each composer spoke with the audience, expressing how honored they were to be part of the event and to support the community.