Film Music Reporter

Ian Fraser has passed away at age 81 this morning at his home in Los Angeles. The music director and arranger received a total of 32 Emmy Award nominations, more than any other musician in television history. He won the award 11 times, most recently in 1993 for his music direction for the 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala. He received an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for adapting the song score for 1970’s Scrooge starring Albert Finney. His musical director credits include a number of Christmas in Washington TV specials, the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, numerous TV Academy’s Hall of Fame ceremonies, the SAG 50th Anniversary Celebration, Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas and America Salutes Richard Rodgers. He also conducted the 1984 Oscar telecast and a number of Emmy Awards shows. Over the past years, he also served as a governor of the TV Academy. Fraser’s credits as a composer include 1980’s Hopscotch & 1981’s First Monday in October, both starring Walter Matthau and 1981’s Zorro: The Gay Blade starring George Hamilton. Fraser is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and a brother and a sister. (Variety)