Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

United States of America

Formed

:

December 10, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA

Disband

:

May 15, 2008 in Pacific Palisades, CA

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Film

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Alexander Courage was an American composer, arranger, and orchestrator who was born on December 10, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a Russian immigrant who was a professional musician and a music teacher. Courage grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at a young age. He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied composition and orchestration. After graduating from Eastman, Courage moved to New York City, where he worked as a freelance arranger and orchestrator for various radio and television programs. He also worked as a staff arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. During this time, Courage gained a reputation as a skilled arranger and orchestrator, and he worked with many of the top musicians and performers of the day. In the 1950s, Courage began to focus more on composing his own music. He wrote music for several Broadway shows, including "Candide" and "Funny Girl." He also composed music for several films, including "The Pleasure Seekers" and "Doctor Dolittle." However, it was his work in television that would make him a household name. In 1965, Courage was hired to compose the theme music for a new science fiction television series called "Star Trek." The show's creator, Gene Roddenberry, wanted a theme that was "majestic, adventurous, and optimistic." Courage delivered with a soaring, orchestral theme that became one of the most recognizable pieces of music in television history. The "Star Trek" theme was so popular that it was later used in several of the "Star Trek" films and television spin-offs. Courage continued to work in television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, composing music for shows such as "The Waltons," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," and "Lost in Space." He also wrote music for several made-for-television movies, including "The Man from Atlantis" and "The Questor Tapes." In addition to his work in television and film, Courage also composed several classical works. He wrote a symphony, a piano concerto, and several chamber works. His classical music was often influenced by jazz and popular music, and he was known for his use of unusual instruments and rhythms. Courage received many awards and honors throughout his career. He won an Emmy Award for his work on "Star Trek," and he was nominated for several other Emmy Awards for his work in television. He was also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), and he was inducted into the ASCAP Foundation's Jazz Wall of Fame in 2005. Alexander Courage passed away on May 15, 2008, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy of memorable music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world. His work in television and film helped to shape the sound of popular culture in the 20th century, and his classical music remains a testament to his talent and creativity.

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