Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) presents its “2022 Gala Celebration: Simple Gifts” honoring esteemed nine-time Oscar-nominated film composer James Newton Howard (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Hunger Games franchise, Nightcrawler, Maleficent and The Bourne Legacy) and celebrating the musicians of LACO on Friday, April 29, 2022, 6:00 pm, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The in-person black-tie (preferred) event includes a festive cocktail reception, elegant dinner and engaging live musical program featuring LACO Music Director Jaime Martín conducting the Orchestra in Copland’s beloved classic, Appalachian Spring, as well as a special arrangement by Howard from one of his most popular film scores. Multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban will introduce Howard at the gala. Proceeds from the gala, as well as a virtual auction, which begins online on April 25 and concludes at the event, benefit the concert performances and educational initiatives of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
Gala co-chairs are Jennifer Diener, Peggy Falcon and Carol Henry. Gala committee members include Clare Baren, Deborah Cussen, Anne Grausam, Diane Henderson, Molly Kirk, Terri Kohl, Leslie Lassiter, Shaheen Nanji, Gene Shutler, Joyce Sommer, Anne-Marie Spataru, Mist Thorkelsdottir and Lauren Wing.
James Newton Howard is one of the film industry’s most versatile and honored composers, with a career spanning over thirty years and encompassing more than 140 film and television projects. He is a nine-time Oscar nominee, and Emmy and Grammy winner. Howard has also been honored with ASCAP’s prestigious Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement and the BMI ICON Award. As a record producer, arranger and songwriter, he has collaborated with some of pop’s biggest names, including Elton John; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Barbra Streisand; Earth, Wind and Fire; Bob Seger; Rod Stewart; Toto; Glenn Frey; Diana Ross; Carly Simon; Olivia Newton-John; Randy Newman; Rickie Lee Jones; and Chaka Khan.
In 1985, Howard was offered his first film, Head Office, and quickly knew he had found his calling. He has since created the scores for a broad range of films, including Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Red Sparrow, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Detroit, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, all four installments of The Hunger Games franchise,
Concussion, Nightcrawler and Maleficent. His long list of credits also include Snow White and the Huntsman, The Bourne Legacy, Salt, Water For Elephants, Batman Begins, Collateral, Snow Falling on Cedars, Outbreak, The Village, Hidalgo, Peter Pan, Wyatt Earp, Lady in the Water, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Freedomland, Dinosaur, Treasure Planet, Signs, Falling Down, Primal Fear, Glengarry Glen Ross, Waterworld, The Devil’s Advocate, Dave, and Pretty Woman, among many others. His upcoming film projects include Disney’s Jungle Cruise and the third installment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise. In 2017, Howard completed his first live concert tour, 3 Decades of Music for Hollywood, visiting 15 European cities, with the premiere being held at Royal Albert Hall. In addition to his contributions to film and television music, Howard has written a number of concert works. Most recently, his Concerto for Cello and Orchestra was premiered with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, is located at 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tickets, beginning at $1,000/person (sponsorship packages available), may be purchased online at laco.org/gala or by calling 213 622 7001 x221.