John Williams Writes New Theme for ESPN College Football Championship - OF GRIT AND GLORY

[DangerMotif 1,306]

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/john-williams-writes-new-theme-for-espn-college-football-1235480841/

Legendary composer John Williams has written an original theme for ESPN’s College Football Playoff National Championship, airing at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Monday night prior to the TCU-Georgia game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Titled “Of Grit and Glory,” it runs three and a half minutes and will score a specially created series of visuals that convey “the feeling behind the night, fear and anticipation, triumph and failure,” ESPN co-director and producer Martin Khodabakhshian tells Variety.

Williams’ new theme – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable.

Khodabakhshian and his co-director and editor Michael Sciallis of Victory Pictures had dreamed about getting the world’s most famous film composer to write music for their opening sequence. So three months ago, at the urging of lead game producer Bill Bonnell (who had worked with the composer on past Olympic events), they wrote what Khodabakhshian calls “a love letter” to Williams, outlining their thoughts and gently inquiring about the possibility of an original theme.

“There’s no better person on the planet to write about emotions and the things that come with the biggest night on ESPN’s biggest stage, our Super Bowl, than John Williams,” Khodabakhshian says. Adds Sciallis: “We wrote about the emotions of bringing people together, not just the competition side of it, but how audiences are affected.”

Two days later, word came back: “He’s started writing something.” The ESPN team jumped into action, conceiving a visual sequence that would feature “college football heroes and legends from all eras” but also add “the beauty of Hollywood and California,” where the game would take place, Khodabakhshian notes.

Williams conducted a 96-piece orchestra on the Sony scoring stage on Dec. 21. And ESPN was there with seven cameras, shooting the entire three-hour recording session, parts of which will be intertwined throughout the opening segment – “so you feel the energy of those orchestra members, and of John, playing this music for the first time, so the audience gets to feel that as well,” Sciallis says.

The “giddiness and excitement” associated with a new Williams anthem for their big college football game was palpable throughout the ESPN executive suites, Sciallis says. Yet it remained top secret until today. On Saturday, ESPN will tease the opening and the Williams score during its NFL Wild Card Doubleheader.

Williams’ new music will be heard throughout the TCU-Georgia matchup. He recorded several takes of the main piece as well as briefer excerpts, “a re-join piece and a vamp,” Sciallis reports; “cutdowns and stingers,” shorter pieces that could be useful during the game itself, were edited in the days following the Dec. 21 session.

“He captured the spirit of the night,” says Sciallis. Khodabakhshian confesses he broke down in tears after the recording session. “I’m so overwhelmed and grateful because he’s the GOAT!”

This is believed to be the largest-scale musical commission ever for the sports network. What will happen with the piece after Monday night is not clear. ESPN could theoretically use it in future college football broadcasts; no plans for a commercial release have apparently been discussed.

In terms of music for athletic competition, the five-time Oscar winner has written four Olympic fanfares, a gridiron march for NBC’s football coverage, and the score for Kobe Bryant’s Oscar-winning short “Dear Basketball.” He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy.

Williams, 90, was unavailable for comment. He is currently on the Oscar shortlist for his music for Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” and has been working for the past several months on the score for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” slated for release June 30.

[Thor 9,368]

Whoa, cool!

 

I have zero connection to American football, but I love his theme for Sunday Night Football from years and years ago. That one sounded like a remnant from the SW prequels. Looking forward to whatever this is.

[eitam 447]

"shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly mémorable" 

Can't wait to hear it 

 

If he's still around in 2028, he WILL write something for the olympics. 

[Disco Stu 15,517]

What?!

[Once 1,151]

I just read this and came here to post it! I'm so excited to hear it!

[Disco Stu 15,517]

My mom (and essentially everyone on her side of the family) is a University of Georgia alum so we were already pretty excited for next Monday's game, but now this on top of it!

[Tom 6,988]

Well, now we know what the new ending of Indiana Jones was all about.  

[Jay 46,839]

15 minutes ago, Gibster said:

Legendary composer John Williams has written an original theme for ESPN’s College Football Playoff National Championship

 

Wow!

 

15 minutes ago, Gibster said:

Titled “Of Grit and Glory,” it runs three and a half minutes and will score a specially created series of visuals that convey “the feeling behind the night, fear and anticipation, triumph and failure,”

 

Wow!!

 

15 minutes ago, Gibster said:

Williams conducted a 96-piece orchestra on the Sony scoring stage on Dec. 21

 

Wow!!!

 

15 minutes ago, Gibster said:

ESPN was there with seven cameras, shooting the entire three-hour recording session

 

Wow!!!!

 

15 minutes ago, Gibster said:

He recorded several takes of the main piece as well as briefer excerpts, “a re-join piece and a vamp,” Sciallis reports

 

Wow!!!!!!

[Disco Stu 15,517]

You just never know when Williams is gonna blindside you with a new commission out of nowhere.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Jay said:

 

Wow!

Wow!!

Wow!!!

Wow!!!!

Wow!!!!!!

 

 

[Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,722]

Can't wait to hear this! 2023 is starting great

[Tom 6,988]

As I age, I am much happier with a notification of new piece that I get to hear in a couple days versus the Hollywood overture and Vienna piece that took a year/s.  

[Dr. Know 502]

Excited to hear this, but already frustrated that "no commercial release" has been discussed.  WTF.

[Tom 6,988]

 

4 hours ago, Gibster said:

Williams’ new theme – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable.

 

King Mark, good news.  I just read further information that mentioned that to honor the states of Georgia and Texas, Williams reorchestrated the piece to include a generous amount of banjo and harmonica.  Evidently, it makes the piece even more memorable.  

[tranders65 119]

1 hour ago, Disco Stu said:

My mom (and essentially everyone on her side of the family) is a University of Georgia alum so we were already pretty excited for next Monday's game, but now this on top of it!

 

As another UGA alum, this is pretty doggone cool!!  A second straight shot at a National Championship with a new Williams piece leading it off?  Heaven.

 

[Brando 2,829]

I’ve got to sit thru yet another football game??

[JohnnyD 1,915]

Definitely a tremendous surprise; I’ll be catching Monday Night Football just to hear this!

[Garrett 202]

2 hours ago, Gibster said:

He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy.

Fake news!

[Once 1,151]

18 minutes ago, Garrett said:

Fake news!

Maybe streaming doesn't count as television?

[DangerMotif 1,306]

New Williams Quote added

 

Says Williams: “Intercollegiate football has been at the heart and soul of our nation’s life for so long that the opportunity to musically salute this great tradition has been a particularly meaningful joy for me. I was thrilled and excited when ESPN suggested that I write a theme for the Jan. 9 championship game.

“The games themselves always raise the collective spirit and, in the end, the competition brings us all closer to a place where the concept of winners and losers dissolves into mutual respect and admiration. The invitation to write this music constitutes a great honor for me, and I feel especially privileged to make a small contribution to one of our country’s most treasured traditions.”

[Jay 46,839]

1 hour ago, Garrett said:

Fake news!

 

The article has also been updated to fix that part

 

Before:

He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy.

After:

He hasn’t written music for broadcast television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy; his theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” debuted earlier this year on the Disney+ streaming service.

[Parker Luciani 10,343]

31 minutes ago, Gibster said:

New Williams Quote added

 

Says Williams: “Intercollegiate football has been at the heart and soul of our nation’s life for so long that the opportunity to musically salute this great tradition has been a particularly meaningful joy for me. I was thrilled and excited when ESPN suggested that I write a theme for the Jan. 9 championship game.

“The games themselves always raise the collective spirit and, in the end, the competition brings us all closer to a place where the concept of winners and losers dissolves into mutual respect and admiration. The invitation to write this music constitutes a great honor for me, and I feel especially privileged to make a small contribution to one of our country’s most treasured traditions.”

A new new quote:

 

"I told them they need a better composer for this....."

[DangerMotif 1,306]

 

 

 

[Sunshine Reger 3,716]

Land of Grit and Glory... 

[Jay 46,839]

10 minutes ago, Gibster said:

New Burlingame quote added 

 

Williams’ new music – previewed for Variety late Thursday – plays like a joyful overture, opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly memorable

 

That isn't new, that was always in the article

[igger6 1,057]

WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO DESERVE THIS????!!!!!!

 

It's the Feast of the Epiphany today in Catholicism, so I guess this year it's gold, frankincense, myrrh, grit, and glory!  And on the last day of Christmas, I think it's appropriate to say...

 

[Andy 7,944]

3 hours ago, Gibster said:

opening with fanfares and shifting seamlessly from martial urgency to anthemic splendor, all richly orchestrated and instantly 

 

John Goldfarb Arabian/Irish fight song quotes confirmed!

[Tom 6,988]

I guess JJ is working for Variety now.  

[King Mark 4,019]

Wow I',m hyped for this! 

 

Except we'll have scour the dark corners of the internet to listen to it

[JohnnyD 1,915]

2 hours ago, igger6 said:

WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO DESERVE THIS????!!!!!!

 

It's the Feast of the Epiphany today in Catholicism, so I guess this year it's gold, frankincense, myrrh, grit, and glory!  And on the last day of Christmas, I think it's appropriate to say...

 

Alleluia and Amen!

[Disco Stu 15,517]

1 hour ago, King Mark said:

Wow I',m hyped for this! 

 

Except we'll have scour the dark corners of the internet to listen to it

It’s literally airing on television

[SilverTrumpet 654]

5 hours ago, Jay said:

 

The article has also been updated to fix that part

 

Before:

He hasn’t written music for television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy.

After:

He hasn’t written music for broadcast television since his “Great Performances” theme for PBS, which won a 2009 Emmy; his theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” debuted earlier this year on the Disney+ streaming service.

 

Also fake news! It was last year! 

[Tom 6,988]

2 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

It’s literally airing on television

Well, aside from that and the obvious youtube uploads, how might one hear this?  

[Not Mr. Big 5,018]

[Garrett 202]

2 hours ago, SilverTrumpet said:

 

Also fake news! It was last year! 

Clearly, Variety needs to be banned from social media for spreading misinformation.

[JazzyNips 205]

Seems a bit highbrow for the American football audience. I wonder why they didn't go with Hans Zimmer or some RCP hack.

[Edmilson 12,627]

Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch?

[Will 2,410]

This is such exciting news! I don't often watch college football (prefer the NFL) but will make sure to tune in to this. 

 

3:30 of new, extroverted Williams fanfares is such a treat. What a wonderful surprise, totally out of the blue. The maestro never ceases to amaze.

 

 

[Manakin Skywalker 5,948]

33 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch?

 

He does play golf, so maybe a glass of brandy while watching a game of golf? 

[artguy360 2,282]

Wow! Out of nowhere. I can't wait to hear this! JW in sports mode is always fun.

 

I'm quickly realizing that JW is embracing all kinds of writing opportunities with his film career winding down. He's not slowing down at all. 

[Miguel Andrade 1,738]

According to Lukas Kendall, as a youngster, his only other interest besides music were girls: https://www.lukaskendall.com/post/john-williams-90th-birthday

I think there was some interview with his younger brother Donald, where he said basically the same thing.

So I would assume that while he plays a little golf, he doesn't spend much time watching sports, probably uses his non-composing time reading scores by Beethoven and Brahms.

[Quppa 737]

Wide Receiver was never released (although this cover is pretty good), so I'm not getting my hopes up, but at least it's a different network this time. A digital release surely would have no downsides for ESPN.

[Tom 6,988]

7 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch?

He has a good sense of the moment, and it is just a natural extension of scoring films.  Even if not a big sports fan, he gets what makes it attractive to so many people.  I am not sure how much of a football fan Goldsmith was or Newman for baseball, but they didn't really need to be to capture the drama (and far surpass it, imo).  

[mrbellamy 8,271]

8 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Here is something I always wanted to know: is John Williams a sports guy? I mean, when he's not working, does he like to sit in front of the TV with a beer in a hand and watch the NFL, NBA, baseball, or whatever sports Americans like to watch?

 

In his Fanfare for Fenway note, he mentions only hearing about the games from his parents, and then later he went to the stadium when it was empty. 

 

 

So he's either anti-sports or he's still trying to figure out if they exist. 

[hornist 1,270]

I know John loves to watch sports on TV and he usually drinks great german white wines from a cooler located in his nicely decorated hallway. 

[Tom 6,988]

I think the preview is coming up in a couple of minutes.  

[Jay 46,839]

Where?

[Tom 6,988]

I was wrong.  The article said that it would be previewed during the two games today.  I thought it would be the halftime of the first game (as they talked about Monday's game), but they didn't.  Maybe between the games?

[Will 2,410]

Just heard a very brief excerpt in an ad a few minutes ago on ESPN/ABC! 

[Bayesian 1,640]

Just now, Will said:

Just heard a very brief excerpt in an ad a few minutes ago on ESPN/ABC! 

And???? How was it?? Don't leave us hanging!

[artguy360 2,282]

Oh man, I hope someone recorded it!