Oscar-nominated composer David Newman, president of both the AYS and FMS, will conduct newly assembled suites from Goldsmith’s original, Oscar-nominated scores for A Patch of Blue, The Sand Pebbles and Patton, along with excerpts from Planet of the Apes and The Blue Max that Goldsmith himself arranged for concert performance.

In addition, Newman — as part of an afternoon symposium on Goldsmith’s early career — will conduct, live to film, a complete performance of one of the composer’s most famous television scores: His music for “The Invaders” episode of The Twilight Zone.

The December 7 events mark the beginning of a three-year American Youth Symphony project focusing on Jerry Goldsmith, the Oscar- and Emmy-winning composer of such classic films as Planet of the Apes, Patton, Chinatown, The Omen, Star Trek: The Motion Picture and more than 150 others. One of the most respected composers in Hollywood history, Goldsmith died in 2004. He was a pivotal figure in advancing composition for film and television.

Newman has divided Goldsmith’s career into thirds. This year’s events will focus on Goldsmith’s work in television and his early career in feature films, from the late 1950s through 1970. In 2009-10, the focus will shift to Goldsmith’s work in the 1970s and early 1980s; and, in the following year, the 1980s and beyond.

The afternoon Goldsmith Project symposium, sponsored by The Film Music Society, will be moderated by journalist and film-music historian Jon Burlingame. Featured panelists will be composer Robert Drasnin, who worked on the original Twilight Zone and who knew Goldsmith well; Marc Scott Zicree, author of The Twilight Zone Companion, the definitive history of the show; Robert Townson, producer for the Varese Sarabande record label, who worked extensively with Goldsmith; Tommy Morgan, who played harmonica for Goldsmith on Twilight Zone and who also composed for the series; and Michael Lloyd, a film composer and Goldsmith expert.

The 25-minute, live-to-film performance of “The Invaders” with members of the AYS will be part of the two-hour symposium, beginning at 2 p.m. and also in Royce Hall. Clips from Goldsmith’s other work for the Rod Serling series will also be featured.

After the performance, Newman will join the panel for the discussion of Goldsmith’s music and the specific challenges associated with that show. “We want to show how unique this music is, and give it a context, filmic as well as historic,” Newman said.

BMI affiliates pay only $249 for the registration fee ($50 off the regular price).

For more information and/or to register, click here or call 1-800-224-0342.

With guitar slung high up on his tall frame and his long red locks flowing, Dennen performs soul-drenched folk narratives with thoughtful lyrics and mellow grooves that captivate audiences wherever he goes. Those performances caught the eye of Rolling Stone magazine, which named him one of the “10 Artists to Watch in 2008.”

His new release, Hope for the Hopeless (Dualtone), includes the infectious first single “Make You Crazy,” featuring Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti. After just one listen, you’ll find yourself singing the ultra-catchy tune, one of 11 produced by multi-platinum hitmaker John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band) — but it’s so good that it won’t make you, well, crazy.

Says Brett of his Top 10 AAA track: “I made the song catchy but it’s about all the injustice in the world –—‘it’s enough to make you go crazy . . . and I’m amazed I haven’t yet’.”

Hopeless, which made an impressive debut at number 1 on the iTunes folk chart and 8 on its overall albums chart, is also enjoying success on the Billboard 200.

Raised in Northern California, the former camp counselor took his fireside performances and self-made disc to the west coast coffee-house circuit in 2004, where a devoted following began. His 2006 breakthrough album, So Much More, placed him firmly on the folk-rock map and helped him gain the attention of music critics, programmers and established artists like Michael Franti and Jason Mraz.

His passion for reaching out to young people led Dennen to be involved in the Mosaic Project, an organization that teaches kids of varied backgrounds about diversity. He also founded Love Speaks, a non-profit that provides community groups and activists a place to express their views at his live shows.

Dennen, who has shared the stage with John Mayer, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ben Folds and the John Butler Trio, has just announced his own three-month headlining tour starting in January 2009.

Dana Rodriguez

BMI affiliates pay only $249 for the registration fee ($50 off the regular price).

For more information and/or to register, click here or call 1-800-224-0342.

Keith Urban and the song’s writers pause for a photo. Pictured are (l-r): Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro, Keith Urban, and Tony Martin.

All three of the song’s writers boast enduring familiarity with chart success, both together and individually: Mark Nesler’s compositions include Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile” and George Strait’s “Go On”; Tony Martin co-wrote “Just to See You Smile” with Nesler, but also co-penned Dierks Bentley’s “Settle for a Slowdown” and much more; and Tom Shapiro’s long list of smashes earned him a spot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this year. Addressing the crowd after the numerous award presentations, Tony Martin quipped, “Songs are like children. I’m just so happy some of them actually go off and make a living.”

Tom Shapiro receives an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd assembled to toast “You Look Good in My Shirt.”

Songwriter Mark Nesler enters the buzzing reception.

BMI’s Jody Williams (right) and David Preston (center) congratulate BMI songwriter Keith Urban (left).

Keith Urban says his “thank-you’s.”

Tony Martin addresses the crowd.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s David Preston, songwriters Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, Keith Urban, songwriter Tony Martin, and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Keith Urban shows off his new plaque.

Tom Shapiro grins with his new BMI Takamine guitar.

Pictured are (l-r): co-writers Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro and Tony Martin; Keith Urban; Disney Music Publishing Vice President Lisa Ramsey Perkins; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams; EMI Music Publishing Executive Vice President and General Manager, Nashville Gary Overton; President & CEO of Capitol Records Nashville Mike Dungan; Sony/ATV Senior Vice President, Creative Terry Wakefield; and Disney Music Publishing Senior Vice President & General Manager Doug Howard. (Photos by John Russell)

Panelists include: Tony Abner, Esq., Rodney Jerkins, James Lopez, Soren Shafft, Brian Postelle, Kevin Hall and Mickey Factz, who will also perform.

Please RSVP to rsvppanel@bmi.com by noon on November 17th. $5.00 valet (available on Beverly).