Exploring a Career in
Music Composition
John Williams has scored more than 100 films, including 'Jaws,' nine 'Star Wars' movies, 'E.T. ' and the first three 'Harry Potter' films. He was born in New York, NY in 1932 and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. His current net worth is an impressive $100 million, which he has amassed over 60 years spent as a successful film composer, conductor and pianist. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for a short time before being drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951. After three years of military service, Williams returned to New York City, where he worked as a jazz pianist. During the 1950s and early 1960s, Williams composed the music for many television programs and served as music arranger and bandleader for a series of popular music albums. It wasn’t until the late 1960’s that his “movie career” really took off!!
How does he do it?
Have you ever wondered how John Williams comes up with all of the different themes for his movie music? Here are a few videos to help you discover how he does it:
In the first video, the narrator describes the different methods that Mr. Williams uses in the different themes from the early Star Wars movies:
(Caution - there’s a kiss at 7:40!!)
In Mr. Williams’ own words:
Here are two interviews with John Williams about writing the music for Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens:
Interview: John Williams on Scoring Star Wars: Episode VII
The Sound of a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack
Think about this!