One of the most decorated composers in Hollywood history has composed a new piece of music for ESPN’s coverage of the College Football Playoff national championship.
John Williams, winner of five Academy Awards for best music, wrote a three-and-a-half minute piece called “Of Grit and Glory” that will debut during Monday’s game between Georgia and TCU.
Martin Khodabakhshian, co-director and producer of ESPN said Variety that the music will accompany a video package intended to evoke “the feeling behind the night, the fear and anticipation, the triumph and failure.”
Khodabakhshian and his co-director, Michael Sciallis, wrote a letter to Williams three months ago asking him to compose a piece for the show. Williams said Variety he was “thrilled and excited” when asked to contribute to the network’s coverage of college football.
“The games themselves always strengthen the collective spirit and, ultimately, competition brings us all closer to a place where the concept of winners and losers dissolves into mutual respect and admiration,” added Williams. “The invitation to write this music constitutes a great honor for me, and I feel particularly privileged to make a small contribution to one of our country’s most treasured traditions.”
Williams, 90, composed the iconic scores for Jaws And Star Wars, both of which won him Academy Awards. He has also worked on other classic franchises such as Indiana Jones, jurassic park And Harry Potter. In the field of sport, he is at the origin of pieces as well known as NBC Sunday Night Football theme And NBC’s Olympics Theme.
