Blake Neely


Projects - Work to Come

The Work to Come: A Tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy

(2008)

See photos from the scoring session.


 

A tribute documentary produced by the Democratic National Convention in association with Barack Obama for President.
Directed by Ken Burns and Mark Herzog
Produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, Mark Herzog and Chris Cowen
 

Performed by Hollywood Studio Symphony, conducted by Blake Neely
Orchestra contracted by DeCrescent & Rotter
String principals: Endre Granat, Brian Dembow, Steve Erdody, Drew Dembowski
Woodwind solos: Geri Rotella (flute), Leslie Reed (oboe), Stuart Clark (clarinet), Rose Corrigan (bassoon), Tim Morrison (trumpet), Brian O'Connor (horn)
Piano solo: Blake Neely
Recorded by James T. Hill at Paramount Stage M, Los Angeles, California
Mixed by James T. Hill at His Place Downtown, Los Angeles, California
Studio Manager: Elizabeth Neely
Scoring Assistants: Daniel Heath, Nathaniel Blume, Chris Beckstrom

Notes

Few projects come along that can fill you with excitement, emotion, a sense of duty, a feeling of privilege and a bit of trepidation all at once. This was that project.

I got a call from my friends Mark Herzog and Chris Cowen, asking if I was available to work on a tribute video about Senator Kennedy. My immediate response was "Absolutely!" They said there was little time and no money. I said, "I'm in. When can I start?" Then I found out Ken Burns was co-directing the piece and that it would be shown on opening night of the Democratic National Convention. (This is when the trepidation set in.)

The first images I worked with were ones Ken and Mark shot of the Kennedys sailing. I immediately started writing, and it went from there. The writing came together quickly, as it usually does when I'm totally inspired. I was especially moved that so many of my friends in the orchestra would come together at the last minute and perform so brilliantly for this score.

I'm honored to have been part of an historic convention and even more proud to have been able to write music in tribute to a great American like Ted Kennedy.