Copyist
8/24/1974 – 4/17/2017

by Lars Clutterham

This sequel to the original notice of the untimely passing of film music prep musician, Derrick Lefebvre (as initially published in the June Overture), is provided in order to expand on his contribution to the L.A. film music scene during his all-too-short career in the industry.

A native of Kokomo, Indiana, and a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, with degrees in both Music Education and Composition, Derrick — like a number of his eventual music industry colleagues — came to L.A. to study film music composition at USC.

After completing a Master of Music degree in screen scoring at USC in 2000, Derrick became an assistant to film composer Christopher Young for about three years before finding his niche in the film music business at JoAnn Kane Music Service.

At JKMS, Derrick began in the “back room,” printing and assembling parts and scores for film, television, and album recording sessions, as well as for concert performance. His own experience as a composer, as well as his extensive knowledge and love of film and concert music, along with his keen eye for detail, took him quickly into the role of proofreader, where he labored, with dedication and with a refreshing sense of humor, for the remainder of his career, working on literally hundreds of major feature films, before complex health issues brought his life to a premature ending.

Beyond his professional knowledge and skill, his colleagues and friends will remember him most not only for his piquant, often self-deprecating, sense of humor, but ultimately for his ardent personal concern for the well-being and happiness of his friends and coworkers.