Film and Media Scoring
This score is an arranged version of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas written and recorded by Cj Rhen for West Virginia University’s holiday promotions in 2023. This score features a classical ensemble while featuring bluegrass traditions important to West Virginia through train beat drums, upright bluegrass style bass, and acoustic guitar. After the score was completely, Cj helped produce the video at Blues Alley Studio in Morgantown, WV.
This score was written as part of a competition. It features my original score and focuses on bringing out climactic moments in juxtaposition to intricate melodies and textures that set the scene and build tension. I features a primary motive that is used and twisted throughout the piece to act as the glue holding the score together. This score also features a unique combination of acoustic and electronic instruments that play into the machine versus nature dynamic featured throughout the film.
The Hamlisch competition posed a unique challenge to properly capture the wide range of emotions presented throughout this film. This score effectively utilizes unique texture and style changes to play into the fast paced, evolving scenery encapsulatuing the main character. The climax of the piece features a dramtic buildup playing in and out of different instrumentations until the final scene arrives and transforms the listeners perspective.
This trailer features a shift in tone from Cj’s other examples. This piece is heavily rooted in rock music featuring live guitar playing. The trailer’s comedic element requires upbeat music based on the theme the scene is presenting while also having the ability to move fluidly between dramtic changes in the score and tone of the film.