A few weeks back, ASCAP held its its 19th Annual Film & Television Music Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton. Many composers were on hand for the celebration, presided over by ASCAP President Marilyn Bergman.

The big award of the evening, the Henry Mancini Award, went to composer Howard Shore, who recently won an Academy Award for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Receiving the Opus Award for his contribution to music in film was director / actor/ composer Clint Eastwood. ASCAP turned 90, and this evening was a birthday celebration for the organization, as well as the 80th birthday for Henry Mancini (and the 40th anniversary of The Pink Panther). Governor Schwarzenegger appeared on video to congratulate ASCAP - as well as T3 composer Marco Beltrami, who was recieving an ASCAP award.winners.

Marilyn Bergman, Clint Eastwood, and Penny Marshall

Marilyn Bergman, Howard Shore, Nancy Knutsen, and Penny Marshall

During the course of the evening, dozens of awards were handed out to such composers as Dan Foliart, Russ Landau, Mark Snow, Steve Bramson, Bruce Broughton, John Debney, John Powell, Robert Rodriguez, and others. History was also made - composer Alf Clausen ("The Simpsons") recieved an award, as well as his son Scott Clausen ("All That") - marking the first time ever that a father and son were on stage for two different shows at the same ASCAP awards!

Alf Clausen and Alan Bergman

Robert Rodrigeuz is interviewed by a journalist

Penny Marshall (Big) introduced Howard Shore for his award, roasting him a little in the process ("Howard is a very slow person. In musical terms, he'd be a rest"). A video retrospective was played, featuring his work, as well as congratulations from Lorne Michaels, Martin Scorsese, and Peter Jackson. Oscar-winner Herbie Hancock introduced Eastwood for his Opus Award, and as a special surprise, he then got on stage with Jack Sheldon and his orchestra, and sang a little!

Henry Mancini's daughter Monica performs for the audience

A few weeks later (last week in fact), the annual BMI Film and Television Music Awards were held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Many composers were on hand, including Nathan Barr, Don Davis, Trevor Rabin, John Ottman, George S. Clinton, Richard Gibbs, David Newman, BT, Steve Bartek, James Veneble, Thomas Newman, W.G. Snuffy Walden, and others. It was BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston's final year, as she is stepping down later this summer, and the tone throughout the evening was one of respect and warmth.

Thomas Newman and W.G. Snuffy Walden

Nathan Barr and Lisbeth Scott

Don Davis and David Newman

Richard Kraft, Frances W. Preston, Doreen Ringer-Ross, and Laura Engel

Over 100 awards were handed out, and the Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement was presented to Devo founder, artist, and composer Mark Mothersbaugh. A video tribute - including original "congratulations" by the Rugrats - was shown. The audience found the original Devo video to be quite amusing as well.

Mark Mothersbaugh and Anita Greenspan

Very special thanks to Dana Newman at ASCAP, Bobbi Marcus, Monique Ward, and Hanna Pantle at BMI for making the evening possible. Photos by Dan Goldwasser