Hal Beckett, the Emmy-nominated composer and conductor has established himself as one of Western Canada’s most respected composers and music specialists. He has composed music for 20 films, more than 500 television and cartoon episodes, operatic and symphonic ensembles, dance productions, multimedia projects, and even an aircraft unveiling. He worked on Michael Bublé’s hit album ‘Crazy Love’ and Bryan Adams’ album ‘11’, conducted an album of operatic arias with soprano Ariel Sung, conducted film scores for Universal, Lionsgate, and 20th Century Fox and produced 102 national anthems for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Hal is the Music Director of the Vancouver Film Orchestra, contracting and producing film score sessions for clients including Disney, Miramax, Gold Circle Films, ABC Television, Infinity Features, and Brightlight Pictures. Hal’s production company, Beckett Music, provides music supervision, editing and production services – from pre-records through the dub stage.

For over a decade, the 80-player strong Vancouver Film Orchestra has been recording scores for productions big and small, of all musical genre from bombastic television spectacular to blockbuster horror to innovative short film to heartwarming family adventure.

Tonight, in a smaller form and under the baton of Music Director Hal Beckett, they are playing music from your Leo Award nominated productions, arranged for orchestra by members of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada.

The VFO would like to thank the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, Vancouver Musician’s Association local 145, the SOCAN Foundation, and the VFO, for their generous sponsorship and support in making the musical portion of tonight’s event possible.

Wayne Lavallee

2010 Juno nominee & winner for ‘Best Folk Acoustic Album’, ‘Best Rock Album’ & ‘Best Male Artist’ at the 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, Wayne Lavallee graces our stage this year for a rendition of his powerful hymn – ‘The Way I Wuz’.

From a home base of acoustic folk roots, Lavallee roams from folk to rock to Native chanting with a sense of artistic freedom that transcends easy classification, leaving one with the distinct sensation that they’ve just crossed paths with an unusual singer-songwriter, and a major one at that.

Wayne celebrates all of those that have dedicated themselves to their art. For more about Wayne and his music please visit waynelavallee.com.