On February 6, the prestigious Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) held its 7th Annual SCL Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. This event recognizes and honors the remarkable achievements of composers and songwriters in the film and television industries.
This year’s ceremony featured hosts Kevin Bacon, an acclaimed actor and musician, and his brother, Michael Bacon, an Emmy-winning composer. Their presence added a celebratory flair to an evening dedicated to honoring musical excellence.
Significant winners of the night
The evening highlighted the accomplishments of two-time Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner Ludwig Göransson, who won for his work on the film Sinners. Göransson received the award for Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film and also took home the award for Outstanding Original Song for a Drama or Documentary along with Raphael Saadiq for their collaboration on I Lied to You.
The film Sinners made history with an impressive 16 Academy Award nominations, the most ever for a single film at the Oscars. Göransson’s partnership with director Ryan Coogler has been pivotal, as they have collaborated on acclaimed projects like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther.
Celebrating diverse talents
In the realm of comedy and musical excellence, songwriters EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick received accolades for their catchy track Golden from the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters. This song has already garnered significant industry recognition, including a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics Choice Award, along with an Academy Award nomination.
Additionally, Bryce Dessner was honored for his score in the independent film Train Dreams, winning the award for Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film. His win reflects the growing recognition of independent projects in the music realm.
Television highlights and special tributes
In television, Theodore Shapiro was recognized for his exceptional work on Severance, claiming the award for Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production. Cristóbal Tapia de Veer received the award for Outstanding Original Title Sequence for a Television Production for his work on The White Lotus, marking his third win in this category.
The night featured a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic film Rocky, with a performance led by legendary composer Bill Conti. Conti, known for scoring the entire Rocky franchise, captivated the audience with his classic theme Gonna Fly Now. In a heartfelt moment, Melissa Manchester performed I’ll Never Say Goodbye, honoring the late Alan Bergman during the In Memoriam segment.
A look at the award winners
The SCL Awards winners and nominees are determined solely by the members of the SCL, ensuring that those recognized are truly respected by their peers. Below is a summary of the key winners from the event:
- Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film: Ludwig Göransson –Sinners
- Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film: Bryce Dessner –Train Dreams
- Outstanding Original Song for a Drama or Documentary: Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson –I Lied to You
- Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical: EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick –Golden from KPop Demon Hunters
- Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production: Theodore Shapiro –Severance
- Outstanding Original Title Sequence for a Television Production: Cristóbal Tapia de Veer –The White Lotus
The SCL Awards not only celebrate the outstanding contributions of composers and songwriters but also reflect the ever-evolving landscape of film and television music.