Another Awards Season is behind us, and what a season it was! This was a big year for members of AFM Local 47, with several of our musicians winning awards, receiving nominations, and having contributed to making the music recordings that contributed to some of the biggest hits of 2018.

AFM Local 47 member Mark Ronson took home an Oscar for “Shallow,” from the hit film “A Star is Born,” as co-writer along with Lady Gaga, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. The track was recorded here in Los Angeles with several fellow union musicians. Member Ludwig Göransson earned a Song of the Year Grammy as co-writer, along with musical partner Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino), of the union-recorded song “This Is America.” This important and forward-thinking song, which addresses on the issues of gun violence, racism and discrimination in America, also won Record of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Music Video. 

Kudos also to all of the incredible music prep personnel and musicians who perform in the house bands during the ceremonies for the Academy Awards, Grammys, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, and the awards shows of our sister guilds: SAG-AFTRA, Producers Guild, Writers Guild, and Directors Guild.

Until next year… that’s a wrap!

Pictured from left: Tim Hanson, Darrell Leonard, supervisors Danita Ng-Poss and Jason Poss, Emmanuel Fratianni, Caryn Rasmussen, and Hillary Thomas (not pictured: Jeff Jones). [Courtesy Danita Ng-Poss]

This is the team responsible for getting all of the written music to the performing musicians. This year the copyists and librarians created and maintained a library of over 6,200 musician parts and scores! Says supervisor Jason Poss: “We carried five suitcases of music back and forth to the rehearsals, recordings, and the show.”

Congratulations on all of your hard work in producing yet another successful Academy Awards ceremony!