Film music composer's scores star at concert

FAMOUS SOUNDTRACKS-The California Lutheran University orchestra performs the works of Hollywood film music legend Alfred Newman. Jaclyn Newman, his granddaughter, a CLU junior, played piano and narrated the event. The music of movies that were scored by Alfred Newman filled Samuelson Chapel last weekend at California Lutheran University. The presentation attracted a houseful of aficionados who appreciate music from motion pictures.

Jaclyn Newman, Alfred's granddaughter, proudly narrated the event. "My grandfather did a lot of research because he liked authenticity," she said as she introduced a soundtrack that was performed by CLU's symphony under the direction of Daniel Geeting.

Jaclyn, like many members of her family, is also a talented musician. She opened the concert with a solo piano performance of Newman's "Street Scene," created in 1931.

Alfred Newman is a preeminent name in music from cinemaphotography.

He was born in 1900, the first of 10 in a Russian-Jewish immigrant family. The piano prodigy became interested in popular music while playing piano for silent films on Broadway.

As a teenager, he began touring with vaudeville shows as an accompanist for wellknown singers such as Grace la Rule.

By 18, Newman was conducting musicals on Broadway for George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers as Newman helped support his large family.

In the 1930s, Newman came to Hollywood where his filmscoring career took off. He was given nine Academy Awards and 45 nominations for music.

Two of his sons, Thomas Newman and David Newman, followed in his footsteps and also became noted film composers.

Alfred Newman's daughter Maria Newman is a prominent violinist and active composer. She also performed with the CLU orchestra on Saturday.

Randy Newman, Alfred's nephew, is a well-known composer of hit songs, including "I Love L.A."

Jaclyn is the daughter of Newman's youngest son, Fred.

It's not surprising that Jaclyn is majoring in music at CLU.

The performances included "How the West Was Won" and "Fox Fanfare."

Clips from famous movies that were scored by Alfred Newman were shown between the musical presentations.