Composer John Williams to be Honored
November 02, 2004

As the composer responsible not only for the legendary Indiana Jones score, but the soundtracks to such classic films as Star Wars, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Superman -- John Williams has created some of the most memorable movie theme songs in cinematic history. For his significant cultural contribution to music and film, Williams will be honored at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, on Dec. 4, at a State Department dinner hosted by the Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Composing music for motion pictures for six decades and counting, Williams is considered the most powerful champion of orchestral music on the big screen. In addition to his film work, Williams is also a laureate conductor of the one of the world's most popular symphonies, the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Alongside Williams, this year's other recipients of the award include: actor, producer, writer and director Warren Beatty; singer and composer Sir Elton John; soprano Dame Joan Sutherland; and husband-and-wife producers Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

"This year the Kennedy Center honors not the usual five but six extraordinary individuals whose unique and abundant artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world," said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. "Including one of the most influential American composers of the past four decades."

Members of the Kennedy Center's national artists committee, as well as past honorees, made recommendations of this year's possible honorees. Among the artists making recommendations were: Dan Aykroyd, Christine Baranski, Angela Bassett, Joshua Bell, Adrien Brody, Dave Brubeck, Cy Coleman, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Douglas, Suzanne Farrell, Renee Fleming, Morgan Freeman, Rosemary Harris, Paloma Herrera, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nathan Lane, Yo-Yo Ma, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep and Pinchas Zuckerman.

The Honors Gala will be taped for broadcast later in December on the CBS Network as a two-hour prime time special.

Read more about the Kennedy Center Honors here.

quote:

---

Originally posted by AaronR1074:
More Awards? Doesn't he have like 20 glass cases full of them by now?

---

Does he?

I'm pretty sure you don't need 20 cases to display five Oscars. I'm betting even Alan Menken doesn't need 20 cases to display his 8 Oscars...or John Barry 20 cases to display his 5 Oscars.

I can think of few film composers who better deserve to be honored than John Williams.

And much better to do it in his lifetime while he is still active and in demand.

Ron, Ron, Ron. No one said Williams just received a new Oscar. You should know there are many organizations bestowing awards besides the Academy... however, if you only consider Oscar, Golden Globes and Grammies, Williams is already up to 25, which might be 5 glass cases.

John Williams and wife Samantha Winslow

Thanks for posting the pics. The first film I remember Ossie Davis in was the Sean Connery film THE HILL (1965). Great ensemble cast. I think Sir Elton looked fab with the rainbow colored ribbon around his neck, and let's hope Dame Joan is not mistakened for Dame Edna with that hairdo. My favorite Ruby Dee role was that of Mother Abrigail in Stephen King's THE STAND and Warren Beatty is now letting his hair go grey.