The Society of Composers and Lyricists Host their Annual Oscar Nominee Champagne Reception

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Dan Goldwasser

Yesterday afternoon, the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) held their annual champagne reception honoring the Oscar nominees in the Best Score and Best Song categories. Like last year, the festivities were held at La Boheme in West Hollywood.

The SCL Oscar festivities at La Boheme

Film music journalist and historian Jon Burlingame speaks with composer Lalo Schifrin

Bill Conti and SCL President Ashley Irwin

Lalo Schifrin with Oscar nominees Diane Warren and Ennio Morricone

Ann Marie Zirbes, Oscar-nominee Thomas Newman, and fellow nominee Carter Burwell

J. Ralph, Oscar nominee for Best Original Song.

Ennio Morricone chats with John Williams; Giovanni Morricone assists with the translation (center)

Pianist Mike Lang chats with Charles Fox

Academy Music Branch governor Charles Bernstein introduced the reception, and SCL President Ashley Irwin presented the nominees to the audience.

Four of the five “Best Original Score” nominees were present All of the Original Score nominees were present: Thomas Newman (Bridge of Spies), Carter Burwell (Carol), Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight) and John Williams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Johann Johannsson (Sicario) was in Australia on a project and unable to attend.

Thomas Newman with SCL President Ashley Irwin

Carter Burwell with Ashley Irwin

Ennio Morricone chats with John Williams; Giovanni Morricone assists with the translation (center)

Some of the “Best Original Song” nominees were also present: Stephan Moccio (“Earned It” from Fifty Shades of Grey), J. Ralph (“Manta Ray” from Racing Extinction), David Lang (“Simple Song #3” from Youth), and Diane Warren (“Til It Happens To You” from The Hunting Game). Unable to attend were fellow nominees The Weeknd, Ahmad Balshe, Jason Quenneville, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes. Anohni, co-nominated with J. Ralph, is boycotting the Oscars after the show producers shamefully decided that only three of the five songs would be performed in tonight’s broadcast.