Screen Scoring Department Celebrates Partnership with Software Company Orchestral Tools

Berklee's Screen Scoring Department welcomed alumni, esteemed guests, and students for two days of events last week celebrating the college’s recent partnership with the software company Orchestral Tools. Throughout the event, which took place October 11–12, a host of alumni and special guests working in the film scoring industry visited the college to participate in special classes, lead panels, and demonstrate the state-of-the-art software provided by Orchestral Tools for all Berklee screen scoring faculty and students.

On Tuesday, October 11, Orchestral Tools CEO and founder Hendrik Schwarzer toured the college and stopped by a classroom for Berklee film scoring students to discuss the software and the industry in general. He joined acclaimed composer Harry Gregson-Williams, Screen Scoring Department Chair Sean McMahon, and Berklee alumni Kara Talve ’18 and Sami Goldberg ’21 for a keynote panel and discussion at David Friend Recital Hall in the afternoon. Talve, who received a BMI Award when she was a Berklee student, now works at Bleeding Fingers Music as supervising composer for The Simpsons. Goldberg, a junior composer at Bleeding Fingers Music, was awarded the Berklee Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship during her time at the college. Following the discussion, all panelists visited classrooms during the afternoon to further discuss their experiences being in the industry and using Orchestral Tools software.

On Wednesday, October 12, Gregson-Williams gave a keynote presentation where he demonstrated and discussed his compositional and production workflow. The composer, known for scoring hit films such as Shrek, The Martian, Mulan, and The Equalizer, showcased his use of technology to enhance the scores for some of these beloved films. All of this year's guests visited classes to speak with screen scoring students ahead of the keynote.

“It was wonderful to spend two days at Berklee, and really great to finally meet the faculty in person. We’re very proud to showcase this incredible partnership like this, and it’s been inspiring to meet the rising talents in the screen scoring world on campus,” said Schwarzer.

“Orchestral Tools software is a major part of the screen scoring program at Berklee," said McMahon. "Our partnership with them will help keep our curriculum on the cutting edge and relevant. We’re looking forward to many more collaborative projects with our great friends at Orchestral Tools.”

About Orchestral Tools

Orchestral Tools makes premium-quality sampled instruments for professional composers. Notable libraries include the Berlin Series, Metropolis Ark, Tallinn, Tom Holkenborg’s Brass and Percussion, created in collaboration with composer Tom Holkenborg, and Phoenix Orchestra, created in collaboration with composers Harry Gregson-Williams and Richard Harvey. Founded in 2005 by Hendrik Schwarzer, Orchestral Tools operates internationally from its base in Germany, with offices in Freiburg and Berlin.