National Film Score Day
On April 3, National Film Score Day recognizes the musical masterpieces called “Film Scores” and, more specifically, the very talented composers who create them.
Imagine your favorite film without a few well-placed notes enhancing the emotion of a dramatic on-screen exchange. Or a chase scene without rousing orchestral music elevating the intensity. Would Star Wars, Jaws, The Lord of the Rings films, or the Harry Potter films be the same without their complementary musical scores? Without the film score, would we cower so easily in fear from our seats? Would our imaginations so eagerly suspend from reality? Music heightens emotions. It also sharpens our senses and focuses our attention. Without a doubt, the film score is the fiery soul of a film.
Throughout film history, we quickly recognize our favorite movies merely by a few notes of a film’s orchestral soundtrack. Perennial classics and modern-day blockbusters call to us when we hear the Film Scores we love most. Despite years or decades, those chords often ignite a rush of fond memories. And with each new film released, a talented composer creates another magnificent work of musical art. Each one eliciting a new set of lasting movie memories.
National Film Score Day History
Jeffrey D. Kern from Movie Scores and More Radio founded National Film Score Day to celebrate and highlight the tireless achievements of the talented composers. The day also honors their treasured musical masterworks that bring so much joy to moviegoers around the globe!
Why April 3rd?
On April 3, 1942, Alexander Korda’s film The Jungle Book was released. The legendary composer, Miklós Rózsa, created the orchestral score. The following year, a recording made directly from the soundtrack was published in its entirety on a 78-RPM record album with narration by Sabu, the film’s star. The Jungle Book soundtrack became the first commercial recording of a non-musical U.S. film’s orchestral score to ever be released. The album was a success.
