American composer (born 1979)
Bear McCreary
McCreary in 2019
Born (1979-02-17 ) February 17, 1979 (age 45) Genres Occupation Composer Years active 2004–present Labels La La Land Records, Sparks & Shadows Website bearmccreary .com
Musical artist
Bear McCreary (born February 17, 1979) is an American composer of film, television, and video game scores. His work includes the scores of the television series Battlestar Galactica (2004), Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , Black Sails , Outlander , The Walking Dead , The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power , The Serpent Queen , Percy Jackson and the Olympians , Halo , the video games Call of Duty: Vanguard , God of War and God of War Ragnarök , and the film Godzilla: King of the Monsters .
McCreary has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for his work on season one of Outlander [ 1] and won one Emmy for the main title of Da Vinci's Demons .[ 2] He is also a two-time winner of both the British Academy Games Award for Music and D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition for his work on God of War and Ragnarök .[ 3]
Early life and education
McCreary was raised in Bellingham, Washington .[ 4] He is the son of author Laura Kalpakian and professor Jay McCreary of University of Hawaii at Manoa . His brother, Brendan McCreary, is also a musician. Bear has directed and produced several music videos for Brendan's band, Young Beautiful in a Hurry.[ 5] He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1997.[ 6]
He is a classically trained pianist and self-taught accordionist .[ 6] [ 7] He studied under the renowned film score composer Elmer Bernstein during which time he reconstructed and reorchestrated Bernstein's 1963 score for Kings of the Sun . Their collaboration allowed for the complete score to be available as a soundtrack album for the first time in 40 years.[ 8]
McCreary went to USC Thornton School of Music at the encouragement of Elmer Bernstein, becoming his protégé and graduating in 2002.
Career
Television
Battlestar Galactica and Caprica
In 2003, McCreary worked under primary composer Richard Gibbs on the three-hour miniseries which served as a pilot for the reimagined series of Battlestar Galactica . When the show was picked up, Gibbs opted not to devote full-time to the regular series' production, and McCreary became the sole composer. He worked on the series until it reached its conclusion in 2009, scoring over 70 episodes. To date, six Battlestar Galactica soundtrack albums have been released, and have garnered a great deal of critical acclaim[ 9] [ 10] and commercial success. The soundtracks for seasons two and three ranked amongst Amazon.com 's Top 30 Music Sales on their first days of release.[ 8]
McCreary composed for the Battlestar Galactica prequel series Caprica and Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome .
Human Target
McCreary in 2009
McCreary provided the score for the series Human Target (based on the comic book of the same name ). The pilot episode and main theme score had been recorded with a full orchestra.[ 11] The series has the distinction of having one of the largest orchestras on television.
The score to the finale of season one, "Christopher Chance", used the largest orchestra ever assembled for episodic television, and he took the opportunity to rerecord the main title theme with a new orchestration with this larger ensemble.
In July 2010, he received his first Emmy nomination for the Human Target main title.[ 12]
In a post on his blog on July 25, 2010, McCreary announced the new creative leadership brought in for season two had not asked him to return for it, and he would be leaving the series.[ 13]
Black Sails
The opening title sequence for Black Sails was composed by McCreary with a backing sea shanty inspired theme. It accurately features an instrument of the period in the form of the hurdy-gurdy .[citation needed ]
Outlander
McCreary has composed the score for all seasons of Outlander . The main title was sung by his long time collaborator and partner, Raya Yarbrough .[citation needed ]
In 2015, McCreary was nominated for an Emmy for the pilot Outlander episode "Sassenach" (S01E01; 2014-08-09).[citation needed ]
Other series
During Comic-Con 2010, Bear McCreary attended panels for AMC 's The Walking Dead and NBC 's The Cape to announce he would be composing the score for both television series.[ 14] [ 15]
On July 15, 2013, McCreary announced that he would compose the score for ABC 's series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [ 16] On September 4, 2015, McCreary released the official Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. soundtrack publicly.[ 17]
McCreary served as orchestral producer for the rock opera Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem airing on Adult Swim on October 27, 2013. This is a continuation of the Metalocalypse universe following the band Dethklok . The music features a 50-piece orchestra. The soundtrack was released on October 29, 2013.[ 18]
McCreary also composed the score for the television series Snowpiercer which premiered on TNT May 17, 2020. Snowpiercer was also distributed online via Netflix .[ 19]
The score for the Masters of the Universe: Revelation series on Netflix was composed by McCreary[ 20]
McCreary composed the theme and music for the television series Foundation , an Apple TV+ series adapted from Isaac Asimov 's novels. The Season 1 soundtrack was released on September 24, 2021.[ 21]
The following year, he composed the score for the Amazon Prime Video fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power .[ 22] McCreary, who wrote the score over a period of 9 months, has been a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien since reading The Hobbit aged 10. He called the job "a dream come true".[ 23]
Films
McCreary worked on several films providing additional music and conducting for My Baby's Daddy and Johnson Family Vacation before striking off on his own and scoring Rest Stop and Wrong Turn 2: Dead End , both direct to video .
After working with Shawn Papazian on Rest Stop: Don't Look Back , the sequel to Rest Stop . McCreary made his theatrical film debut with Step Up 3D [ 24]
Following Step Up 3D, he scored three films directed by Joe Lynch , Chillerama , Knights of Badassdom and Everly . Everly 's soundtrack included a duet McCreary sang with his wife, Raya Yarbrough.
McCreary has only worked with a few directors multiple times: Christopher Landon on three films, Happy Death Day , Happy Death Day 2U and Freaky ; and director McG twice on Rim of the World and The Babysitter: Killer Queen .
Other notable film scores include Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie , 10 Cloverfield Lane , The Cloverfield Paradox , Child's Play , and Godzilla: King of the Monsters .
McCreary's latest feature scores include Ava , The Babysitter: Killer Queen , Freaky and Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank .
In June 2023, McCreary replacing[clarification needed ] Thomas Newman as a score composer in the latest upcoming film The Last Voyage of the Demeter , directed by André Øvredal .
Video games
McCreary made an eight-bit rendition of the Dark Void theme, which was, originally, an April fools joke. However, the theme was used for the prequel, Dark Void Zero .[ 25] He composed all the songs in an eight-bit fashion by connecting the wires on an actual NES console and cartridge to create authenticity.
He arranged James Rolfe's The Angry Video Game Nerd "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch " parody "You're a Mean One, Mr. Nerd" for the 2010 Christmas special, with orchestra and eight-bit audio elements.[ 26]
McCreary also performed with his orchestra live at Sony 's E3 2016 press conference throughout the show and composed the score of the 2018 God of War game.[ 27] He also composed the music for its 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarök , for which he also plays a minor character in the game, a Dwarf named Ræb.[ 28]
In 2021, McCreary composed the score for Call of Duty: Vanguard .[ 29]
The Singularity
In February 2024, McCreary announced that a concept album titled The Singularity would be released in May by Sparks & Shadows Records and Mutant. Co-written and co-produced by McCreary’s brother, Brendan McCreary, who also contributes lead vocals to eight songs, the album features performances by Rufus Wainwright , Slash , Serj Tankian , Corey Taylor , Jens Kidman , Joe Satriani , Buck Dharma , Asdru Sierra, Griogair , Kim Thayil , Scott Ian , Brendon Small , Billy Boyd , Eivør , Guthrie Govan and Bryan Beller , Mike Keneally , Ben Weinman , Steve Bartek and John Avila , Warren Fitzgerald , Esjay Jones, Sigurjón Kjartansson , Raya Yarbrough, Mega Ran , and Gene Hoglan , along with spoken-word contributions from the companion graphic novel (published by Image Comics and Black Market Narrative ) by actors Lee Pace , Danai Gurira , and Ryan Hurst .[ 30]
Personal life
McCreary married singer and songwriter Raya Yarbrough in 2010. They have collaborated on the music of Battlestar Galactica , Outlander , Defiance , Da Vinci's Demons , among other projects.[ 31] [ 32] Their daughter Sonatine, named after the musical term sonatina , was born on June 2, 2014.[ 33]
Influences
McCreary credits composers Jerry Goldsmith , Elmer Bernstein , Danny Elfman , Ennio Morricone , John Williams , Basil Poledouris , and Shirley Walker as being key to his growing up adoring film music. They were his heroes.[ 34]
Works
Films
Television
Video games
Awards and nominations
Year
Award
Nominated work
Result
2005
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Battlestar Galactica
Nominated
2006
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Battlestar Galactica
Nominated
2007
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Battlestar Galactica
Nominated
2008
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Battlestar Galactica
Nominated
2009
ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Television Series
Eureka
Won
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Caprica
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Battlestar Galactica
Won
The Streamy Awards for Best Original Music in a Web Series
Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy
Nominated
2010
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
Human Target
Nominated
2011
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Human Target
Won
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
Dark Void
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series
Human Target
Won
2012
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
Nominated
2013
ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Television Series
The Walking Dead
Won
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Da Vinci's Demons
Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
Da Vinci's Demons
Won
Online Film & Television Association for Best Music in a Series
The Walking Dead
Nominated
2014
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
Black Sails
Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Main Title - TV Show/Digital Streaming Series
Black Sails
Nominated
2015
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series
Outlander : Sassenach
Nominated
2016
International Film Music Critics Award for Best Original Score for Television
Outlander
Nominated
ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for TV Composer of the Year
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Black Sails, Damien, Da Vinci's Demons, Outlander, The Walking Dead
Won
World Soundtrack Awards for Discovery of the Year
10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boy
Nominated
World Soundtrack Awards for Television Composer of the Year
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Black Sails, Damien, Da Vinci's Demons, Outlander, The Walking Dead
Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film
10 Cloverfield Lane
Nominated
2017
ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for TV Composer of the Year
Nominated
2018
The Game Awards 2018 – Best Score / Music
God of War
Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — Video Game
God of War
Nominated
2019
D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition [ 35]
God of War
Won
NAVGTR Awards for Best Original Dramatic Score, Franchise [ 3]
God of War
Won
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Saturn award for Best Music
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
God of War
Won
British Academy Games Award for Music [ 3]
God of War
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Choral Composition
God of War
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Instrumental
God of War
Nominated
Game Audio Network Guild Best Music in a Casual/Social Game
God of War
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Music of the Year
God of War
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio
God of War
Won
Etna Comics International Film Festival for Best Original Soundtrack
God of War
Nominated
Reel Music Awards for Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Feature
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Won
2020
Movie Music UK Awards for Composer of the Year
Won
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Drama Film
The Professor and the Madman
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Film Composer of the Year
Won
2021
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Film Composer of the Year
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Film
Animal Crackers
Nominated
2022
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
Call of Duty Vanguard
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series
Foundation
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Television Series
Masters of the Universe: Revelation
Won
BloodGuts UK Horror Awards for Best Soundtrack/Score
Freaky
Nominated
The Game Awards 2022 – Best Score and Music
God of War Ragnarök
Won
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Song — Video Game
God of War Ragnarök ("Blood Upon The Snow")
Won
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — Video Game
God of War Ragnarök
Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Original Score — TV Show/Limited Series
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Nominated
Reel Music Awards for Overall Score of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
Reel Music Awards for Original Score for a Television Series
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Main Theme
Call of Duty Vanguard
Nominated
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio
Call of Duty Vanguard
Nominated
Game Audio Network Guild Best Physical Soundtrack Release
Call of Duty Vanguard
Nominated
2023
Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Nominated
D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition [ 36]
God of War Ragnarök
Won
British Academy Games Award for Music
God of War Ragnarök
Won
NAVGTR Awards for Best Original Dramatic Score, Franchise [ 3]
God of War Ragnarök
Nominated
NAVGTR Awards for Best Song, Original or Adapted [ 3]
God of War Ragnarök
Nominated
Game Audio Network Guild Music of the Year
God of War Ragnarök
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Song
God of War Ragnarök ("Blood Upon the Snow")
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Main Theme
God of War Ragnarök ("God of War Ragnarök")
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Original Soundtrack Album
God of War Ragnarök
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Creative and Technical Achievement in Music
God of War Ragnarök
Won
Game Audio Network Guild Best Cinematic/Cutscene Audio
God of War Ragnarök
Won
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
God of War Ragnarök
Won
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Score of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composer of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Galadriel")
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Best Original Score for an Animated Film
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Númenor")
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composition of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ("Sailing Into the Dawn")
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for Television
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards for Outstanding Score For Television
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Nominated
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards for Outstanding Original Score for Interactive Media
God of War Ragnarök
Nominated
ASCAP Composers' Choice Award for Television Score of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Nominated
ASCAP Composers' Choice Award for Video Game Score of the Year
God of War Ragnarök
Won
Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Nominated
Movie Music UK Awards for Score of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
Movie Music UK Awards for Best Original Score for Television
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Won
Movie Music UK Awards for Composer of the Year
Nominated
2024
Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
God of War Ragnarök
Nominated
Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album
God of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack)
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score for a Horror/Thriller Film
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards for Composer of the Year
Nominated
References
^ "67th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners" . Television Academy . Retrieved October 11, 2015 .
^ Weisman, Jon. "LIVE From the Creative Arts Emmys" . Variety . Retrieved September 16, 2013 .
^ a b c d e "BAFTA Games Awards winners 2019" . www.bafta.org . March 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020 .
^ "On Bear McCreary's bookshelf" . The Seattle Times . March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024 .
^ McCreary, Bear (October 13, 2011). " "I Don't Want to Die a Virgin" Music Video!" . BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023 .
^ a b Relyea, Kie (January 12, 2005). "Score for the Stars: Bellingham High grad now composes for 'Battlestar Galatica' " . The Bellingham Herald . Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017 – via BearMcCreary.com.
^ McCreary, Bear (June 7, 2006). "ScoreKeeper interviews Battlestar Galactica ' s Bear McCreary!!!" . Interviewed by ScoreKeeper. AintItCool.com . Retrieved December 6, 2017 .
^ a b "Biography" . BearMcCreary.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009 .
^ Sepinwall, Alan (June 22, 2008). "Sepinwall on TV: Michael Giacchino and Bear McCreary, score keepers" . The Star-Ledger . Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009 .
^ Ryan, Maureen (June 16, 2008). " 'Battlestar Galactica' provides some Earth-shattering 'Revelations' " . Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on March 29, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009 .
^ McCreary, Bear (July 25, 2009). "Human Target Screens Today" . BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023 .
^ Burlingame, Jon (July 8, 2010). "Emmy Music Nominations Announced" . FilmMusicSociety.org . Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010 .
^ McCreary, Bear (July 25, 2010). "I Am Leaving 'Human Target' " . BearMcCreary.com.
^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (July 23, 2010). "Comic Con 2010: The Cape Casts a Mighty Shadow" . Ugo.com . UGO Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010.
^ Nguyen, Hanh (July 23, 2010). " 'Walking Dead' reveals trailer, taps Bear McCreary as composer" . Zap2it.com . Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2017 .
^ Boucher, Geoff. " 'Agents of SHIELD': Clark Gregg's 'commanding presence' calls the tune for composer Bear McCreary" . Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014 .
^ "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Original Soundtrack Album)" . Amazon . September 4, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2017 .
^ Hartmann, Graham (October 17, 2013). "Dethklok, 'Blazing Star' – Exclusive Song Premiere" . Loudwire.com . Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 6, 2017 .
^ "Bear McCreary Scoring TNT's 'Snowpiercer' TV Series" . filmmusicreporter . Film Music Reporter. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "Kevin Smith Reacts to Masters of the Universe: Revelations Score" . YouTube . February 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021 .
^ "Foundation: Season 1, Lakeshore Records" . Soundtrack.net . Retrieved September 25, 2021 .
^ "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) TV Series" . Soundtrack.net . Retrieved December 13, 2022 .
^ "In 'Rings of Power', Bear McCreary Scored the Show of His Childhood Dreams" . Esquire . September 15, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023 .
^ Yamato, Jen (July 2, 2010). "Exclusive: 'Step Up 3D' Billboard Art Premiere!" . Cinematical.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2013 .
^ Diener, Matt (April 2011). "Interview with Bear McCreary (April 2011)" . Squareenixmusic.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014 .
^ Napolitano, Jayson (December 16, 2010). "Bear McCreary Vs. The Angry Video Game Nerd: A Christmas Special" . Original Sound Version. Retrieved June 29, 2014 .
^ Davis, Justin (June 13, 2016). "E3 2016: New God of War Announced" . IGN.com . Retrieved June 14, 2016 .
^ Santa Monica Studio [@SonySantaMonica] (November 8, 2022). "#GodofWarRagnarok composer @bearmccreary adds a new credit to his name. Tomorrow, on November 9th, you'll not only be able to hear Bear's incredible score throughout your adventure – you'll also be able to meet him in-game! Introducing Ræb 🎵" (Tweet ). Retrieved November 9, 2022 – via Twitter .
^ Tucker, Jake (August 19, 2021). " 'Call Of Duty: Vanguard' composer Bear McCreary discusses "raw and exposed" soundtrack" . NME . Retrieved August 31, 2021 .
^ "Bear McCreary - the Singularity. Made by Mutant" .
^ McCreary, Bear (February 24, 2009). "I'm Getting Married!!" . BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023 .
^ "Malibu Wedding Photographer" . Archived from the original on September 5, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2014 .
^ McCreary, Bear (June 11, 2014). "Sonatine Yarbrough McCreary" . BearMcCreary.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023 .
^ Barnett, Barbara (July 29, 2016). "A Conversation with Outlander Composer Bear McCreary" . Original Sound Version. Retrieved July 29, 2016 .
^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War" . interactive.org . Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved February 22, 2024 .
^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War Ragarök" . interactive.org . Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved February 22, 2024 .
External links
International National Artists Other