The past few years have been life changing in so many ways!
Below, you’ll find selected highlights of some of the exciting adventures I’ve had:
In November of 2021, I was awarded the 2021 David Rose Award by the ASCAP Foundation. It was such an honor to be recognized for my work in film scoring and to receive support from such a wonderful community of creators!
As a performer, I had the privilege to serve as Principal Violist of The Academy’s 2022 Oscars Orchestra as well as record on several major motion picture and TV soundtracks (ie. Avatar: The Way of Water, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Nope, Ghostbusters, Lightyear, and Obi-Wan Kenobi among others).
I was also commissioned by the Colburn School to compose a concert work for Andrew Brady, the Principal Bassoonist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. “My Young Friend for Bassoon and Piano” received its world premiere in April of 2022 by Andrew Brady and Vivian Fan at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA.
Other highlights include serving as Principal Violist for Danny Elfman’s 2022 Coachella Orchestra and Hollywood Bowl Tours. This was an experience that I will never forget! I also had the great pleasure to work with Mariah Carey as she recorded her instruction series for Masterclass.com.
(Music Composed by Stefan L. Smith)
From May – July 2022, I composed the score for Warner Bros. and DC Animation’s “Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham”, directed by the legendary Sam Liu. The animated feature was released on March 28th, 2023 as well as the score soundtrack being released on April 21st, 2023. The score features close to 90 minutes of original music composed for full orchestra.
(Best Score – Animated Short Film)
On November 25, 2022 my score to Camrus Johnson’s animated short, “She Dreams at Sunrise” won the Hollywood Music in Media Award (HMMA) in the category of Best Score – Animated Short Film.
Original Songs and Score by: Stefan L. Smith
From August of 2022 – October 2023, I was asked to compose 20 original songs and the original score for PBS Kids’ TV series “Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures”. This new take on the previous hit series features a musical approach to teaching children how to read. It was a blast to work with PBS Kids, Brown Bag Films and 9StoryMedia on this project. Major shoutouts to our director Geri Bertolo for your amazing work on the series!
Contractor: Zimmitti Music Group
In February of 2023, I had the pleasure to perform in the band of the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony with Cheche Alara’s amazing house band!
From April – May of 2023, I was commissioned to write “Quintet in the Key of Blue” for the National Orchestra Institute and the Savannah Music Festival, which was premiered by Joseph Conyers’ Dubhe Ensemble at the NOI Music Festival in June of 2023. The Dubhe Ensemble will continue to perform the work throughout 2024 at cities all over the country.
I also had a blast recording on Jongnic Bontempts’ score to “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”, which concluded in June of 2023.
In August of 2023, I became a voting member of the Recording Academy and ForbesBLK and upon finishing my work on Super Why (October 2023), the remainder of the year wrapped with a host of amazing live performances as well as recording work.
World Premiere – March 8-12, 2024
A week before Christmas of 2023, I was commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to arrange my original work, “My Young Friend for Bassoon and Piano” for Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra. The Orchestra will premiere “My Young Friend for Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra”, with Principal Bassoonist Andrew Brady on March 8-12 of 2024 at Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul, MN.
There is more exciting news to come, and I can’t wait to share more, so stay tuned and thanks for your support!
STEFAN L. SMITH 
fantastic read! Some wonderful achievements. Good luck in whatever comes next!
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