Seth MacFarlane, the creator and star of Family Guy, has curated and helped finance a set of six new orchestral fanfares from major film composers for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, timed to the ensemble's move into its new Frank Gehry-designed home. The composers tapped for the commissions include John Williams, Ludwig Göransson, Joel McNeely, Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, and John Powell.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the five- to seven-minute works are designed to open select LACO concerts throughout the season and will be performed at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Williams' fanfare is set to arrive in fall 2027, timed to the opening of the orchestra's new venue. The commissions are meant to honor LACO's roots as an artistic outlet for Hollywood studio musicians, a mission that dates back to the orchestra's founding in 1968 by musicians and civic leaders, including founding participant James Arkatov, a Hollywood studio musician who had served as principal cellist at the Pittsburgh and San Francisco symphonies, played on movie soundtracks, and performed backing for Ella Fitzgerald.
A Hollywood Composer Made the Introduction
The connection between MacFarlane and LACO runs through composer Joel McNeely, who got MacFarlane involved in the commissioning initiative, per the same Times report. McNeely currently scores MacFarlane's television series American Dad! and Ted, scored The Orville, and produced all nine of MacFarlane's studio albums, according to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Their collaborations include several Grammy-nominated jazz and big-band releases.
McNeely's ties to LACO predate the fanfare project. Per the LA Phil, he previously worked with the orchestra as a guest conductor, leading the ensemble in the world premiere of Uri Caine's Concerto for Two Pianos. McNeely has also guest-conducted major symphonies including the Boston Pops and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
MacFarlane selected the participating composers himself, the article notes. LACO's Ben Cadwallader said the orchestra's connection to Hollywood, Los Angeles, and its musicians shaped the commissioning initiative, and he described a fanfare as bright, rhythmic music that starts a concert with a bursting, effervescent moment. MacFarlane, for his part, said he loved movies and movie music as a child.
From Studio Session Player to Concert Hall Soloist
The fanfare initiative speaks directly to who fills LACO's ranks. The orchestra has 42 players, compared with the more than 100 members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many maintain active day jobs as Hollywood studio recording musicians, according to Classical California. LACO's musicians also get to perform works such as Bach and Mozart in a performance setting.
This isn't LACO's first time turning to Hollywood for concert repertoire. The orchestra previously turned to 10-time Emmy-winning film and television composer Bruce Broughton, who composed Modular Music for LACO, according to Kraft-Engel Management. Broughton also arranged and conducted MacFarlane's album Great Songs from Stage & Screen.
MacFarlane's own musical resume extends well beyond animation. He has released 10 studio albums and received five Grammy Award nominations, has performed as a vocalist at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, and released Seth MacFarlane Sings the Muppets, a 14-track album.
New Hall, New Era for the Orchestra
The fanfares are arriving at a moment of transition for LACO both physically and organizationally. The orchestra will open its new, Frank Gehry-designed Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall with the commissioned fanfares, part of the $335 million, 100,000-square-foot Colburn Center expansion that broke ground in April 2024 and is scheduled for completion in fall 2027. The 1,000-seat hall is part of the broader transformation of Downtown L.A.'s Grand Avenue corridor, a project Hoodline previously covered.
In the meantime, LACO is preparing for the opening of its new hall. Jaime Martín was appointed music director designate in 2018.
