David
Newman

David is the son of the nine-time Academy Award-winning composer Alfred Newman. During his career of more than 25 years he has scored over 100 films, ranging from War of the Roses, Matilda, Bowfinger and Heathers up to more recent films such as The Spirit, Serenity or Alvin. Newman’s music brought to life critically acclaimed dramas such as Brokedown Palace and Hoffa, blockbuster comedies like Norbit, The Nutty Professor, The Flintstones and Throw Mama From the Train, as well as award-winning animated films like Ice Age, The Brave Little Toaster and Anastasia.

David Newman has been honored with numerous awards by motion picture and classical music industries. He received an Oscar nomination for his soundtrack to the animated film Anastasia. He was the first composer to have his composition, 1001 Nights, performed within the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s »Filmharmonic« Series.

As a Hollywood composer, Newman has the distinction of being a highly sought-after conductor, appearing in both the film and classical repertory with leading symphony orchestras throughout the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonics, the New Japan Philharmonic, the American Symphony, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Japan Philharmonics, the Chicago Symphony, American Symphony, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

David Newman also established a long-term cooperation with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. In the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Newman performs regular subscription concerts. He is the only conductor besides John Williams, who regularly conducts film music in the Hollywood Bowl—a 18,000-seat amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills—where he performs the annual »Movie Night«.

In addition, Newman is also an active composer for the concert hall and is dedicated to restoring film music classics for the concert stage. In 1987 he was elected music director of Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, where he created the Sundance Film Music Preservation Program. As a tribute to his work in the preservation of film music, he was elected President of the International Film Music Society in 2007.

Because of his passion for the next generation of musicians, Newman also serves as Board President of the American Youth Symphony. After completing a successful Jerry Goldsmith Project, he recently began working on a 3-year Danny Elfman Project. Schedule permitting Newman regularly visits high schools and universities to teach young composers. Since 2012, Newman also serves as Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

When he was a child, David Newman took violin and piano lessons and later studied violin and conducting at the University of Southern California. From 1977-1982 he worked extensively in the film and television industry, where he played as a violinist on numerous film soundtracks such as E.T., or Star Trek—The Movie.

Newman is married to his wife Krystyna. He is father of two girls, Diana and Brianne. The family lives in Los Angeles, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and New York.

His brother Thomas Newman is also a celebrated film composer. His cousin Randy Newman is a famous singer-songwriter and winner of multiple Grammies and Oscars.