William Ross will conduct the Oscar orchestra for this year's Academy Awards, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.
"We are happy to have Bill Ross conduct the Oscar orchestra," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "With a show so rich with music, we are so pleased to have someone as talented as Bill on our team."
Ross, who conducted for the 79th and 83rd Academy Awards, is a prolific award-winning composer and arranger whose work encompasses feature films, television and the music recording industry. He has arranged music for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Kenny G., Sting, Quincy Jones, Seal, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. The records on which he has worked have sold a total of over 250 million copies in the United States.
Ross has written original scores for such films as The Tale of Despereaux, Ladder 49, Tuck Everlasting and My Dog Skip. He also adapted and conducted the score to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. For more information go to Oscar.com or download the official Oscars app.