My Father, The Composer
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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENTARY
My father, Byron Olson, has spent a career composing, arranging and conducting orchestral music, and is the central focus of the film, "My Father, The Composer." He has enjoyed success: he signed contracts with major recording labels for five self-titled albums, toured the world with renowned performers, composed for the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted at Carnegie Hall. He was nominated for a Grammy, and has heard heaven in the air stream of a flute. "My Father, The Composer" highlights some of these moments with me as narrator, as well as extensive sound from my dad, and colleagues and friends who can help tell his story.
Despite these successes, the life of a composer is one of self-scrutiny and struggle. Good fortune means days and nights bent over a work desk coated with eraser shavings and the heat of a deadline. But for many, there are too many other days with no deadlines, no paychecks and few prospects. In recent years, it has become common for production companies to spend less on classical music, as budgets have tightened, record stores have shuttered their doors, and listeners drift away from the genre. To this end, the documentary will explore my father's experience as a working composer navigating a changing industry, and finding opportunities to write beautiful music... despite the obstacles.
While the film focuses primarily on my dad's story, his colleagues also contribute their voices in chronicling the dynamics of modern orchestral music production and recording. They make the case for why this genre is still significant, relevant and worthwhile, despite a dwindling audience. To that end, my dad's music is featured throughout the film, and affords the viewer the opportunity to hear the dynamism, skill and beauty that make up these compositions.
Moreover, "My Father, The Composer" is a tribute from a daughter who has learned important lessons from her father: persistence, devotion to a craft, and the need to impart creativity and light on an often troubled, imperfect world.
For more information on Byron Olson, including musical excerpts:
http://byronolsonmusic.com/
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Anna Olson is a television news producer based in Washington, DC with over a decade of industry experience in cable and broadcast television. She has produced short and long form content seen in millions of households, and was an on-air reporter for the PBS Nightly Business Report. She also is a devoted daughter who cares deeply about the future of orchestral music.
A WORD OF THANKS
Your generous donation will help in the completion of a film that has been self-funded to date; any contribution is truly appreciated, and will play a part in the telling of a story that is both personal and far-reaching, as classical and jazz music face, arguably, their greatest challenges yet. Thank you so much for your support!
A huge thank you also to the participants of this film, and to my inspired and exceptional partners in its development, photographer Michael Labella and editor Michael Lyon.
My father, Byron Olson, has spent a career composing, arranging and conducting orchestral music, and is the central focus of the film, "My Father, The Composer." He has enjoyed success: he signed contracts with major recording labels for five self-titled albums, toured the world with renowned performers, composed for the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted at Carnegie Hall. He was nominated for a Grammy, and has heard heaven in the air stream of a flute. "My Father, The Composer" highlights some of these moments with me as narrator, as well as extensive sound from my dad, and colleagues and friends who can help tell his story.
Despite these successes, the life of a composer is one of self-scrutiny and struggle. Good fortune means days and nights bent over a work desk coated with eraser shavings and the heat of a deadline. But for many, there are too many other days with no deadlines, no paychecks and few prospects. In recent years, it has become common for production companies to spend less on classical music, as budgets have tightened, record stores have shuttered their doors, and listeners drift away from the genre. To this end, the documentary will explore my father's experience as a working composer navigating a changing industry, and finding opportunities to write beautiful music... despite the obstacles.
While the film focuses primarily on my dad's story, his colleagues also contribute their voices in chronicling the dynamics of modern orchestral music production and recording. They make the case for why this genre is still significant, relevant and worthwhile, despite a dwindling audience. To that end, my dad's music is featured throughout the film, and affords the viewer the opportunity to hear the dynamism, skill and beauty that make up these compositions.
Moreover, "My Father, The Composer" is a tribute from a daughter who has learned important lessons from her father: persistence, devotion to a craft, and the need to impart creativity and light on an often troubled, imperfect world.
For more information on Byron Olson, including musical excerpts:
http://byronolsonmusic.com/
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Anna Olson is a television news producer based in Washington, DC with over a decade of industry experience in cable and broadcast television. She has produced short and long form content seen in millions of households, and was an on-air reporter for the PBS Nightly Business Report. She also is a devoted daughter who cares deeply about the future of orchestral music.
A WORD OF THANKS
Your generous donation will help in the completion of a film that has been self-funded to date; any contribution is truly appreciated, and will play a part in the telling of a story that is both personal and far-reaching, as classical and jazz music face, arguably, their greatest challenges yet. Thank you so much for your support!
A huge thank you also to the participants of this film, and to my inspired and exceptional partners in its development, photographer Michael Labella and editor Michael Lyon.
Organizer
Anna Olson
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC