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 Print this article FMS FEATURE...  December 17, 2008 Alan Silvestri Conducts American Youth Symphony Composer of Forrest Gump, Back to the Future to be honored at Benefit Gala by Marilee Bradford  Known for his many collaborations with film director Robert Zemeckis and other top directors, Silvestri has scored numerous films that have become modern classics, from Romancing the Stone (1984) and Back to the Future (1985) to Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Forrest Gump (1994). Winner of a Grammy Award (with Glen Ballard) for the hit song "Believe" from his Oscar-nominated score for The Polar Express (2004), Silvestri also received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Forrest Gump and Roger Rabbit as well as a Grammy nomination for his Back to the Future soundtrack. Silvestri's musical versatility is found in a wide spectrum of film genre: Comedy (Father of the Bride, 1991; Soapdish, 1991; Grumpy Old Men, 1993), drama (Shattered, 1991; Blown Away, 1994; Cast Away, 2000), family fare (Stuart Little, 1999; Lilo & Stitch, 2002), fantasy (Death Becomes Her, 1992; Night at the Museum, 2006), action/adventure (Predator, 1987; Cast Away, 2000) and science fiction (Contact, 1997; The Abyss, 1989). The AYS gala will present Silvestri in concert, conducting suites from Forrest Gump and Back to the Future, along with selections from Cast Away, Roger Rabbit, Polar Express, Mouse Hunt (1997), What Lies Beneath (2000) and Beowulf (2007). The concert will be followed by a dinner and ceremony honoring Silvestri in the Pavilion's Grand Hall. The American Youth Symphony was founded in 1959 by Maestro Mehli Mehta (1908-2002) who, during his 60-year career in orchestral music, was an inspiring educator and mentor to countless young musicians. The organization's mission is to prepare gifted young musicians between 15-27 years of age to compete for positions in prestigious symphony orchestras worldwide. According to AYS president, composer David Newman, "This orchestra is a very special institution that has been a stalwart organization in Los Angeles since the early '60s. Almost everyone that plays for film and TV in the last 30 years has come from this orchestra. There are also alumni all over the world that have come from this wonderful orchestra." The AYS benefit gala is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year. Welcomes begin at 6:30 pm, concert at 7:00 pm and dinner at 8:30 pm. Concert-only tickets start as low as $10. The Music Center is located at 135 N. Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. For tickets and further information, contact the AYS at (310) 470-2332 or visit www.AYSymphony.org. ©2008 Marilee Bradford  |
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