Oscar-nominated and three-time Grammy Award winning film composer, Alan Silvestri, known for such successful film scores as “Back to the Future, “Forrest Gump,” and “Cast Away,” among many others, has penned the first-ever musical theme for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  “The Journey,” will debut this month at all NCAA Championships, including the Men’s and Women’s Final Fours®. 

 “As a film composer, I am inspired to write music by the images placed before me.  The images of our remarkable, young student-athletes, competing with such great passion and compassion, have been overwhelmingly compelling,” said Silvestri.  “It is truly a great honor to be connected in some small way to their most amazing, inspiring efforts.”

The new theme has been integrated into a video salute of all 88 NCAA championships across 23 different sports.  The musical highlight clip will be shown on video boards in venues where NCAA championships are conducted beginning with the Association’s winter championships this month.  The timing of the 2007 Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, known as NCAA March Madness®, allows for the music theme to be introduced during 127 basketball games across 27 different cities in 22 days.

Celebrated Furman University Band Director, Jay Bocook, has created a version of Silvestri’s “The Journey” for marching bands and pep bands. The published arrangement from Hal Leonard Corporation will be promoted to 1,200 college bands and 15,000 high school bands.

“The Journey” was produced by MSM Sports Music, a joint venture of Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency and Sportscorp Ltd., which was involved throughout the conception, development and implementation of the NCAA theme.  MSM Music, together with the NCAA, will handle the commercial and presentation rights of Silvestri’s composition.

““The Journey” depicts the academic and athletic experiences of NCAA student-athletes and describes their individual journeys en route to a college degree,” said Greg Shaheen, Senior Vice President of Basketball and Business Strategies.   “The Journey” is a unique theme that balances the excitement we experience in intercollegiate athletics with the significance of higher education,” stated Shaheen. 

“The NCAA’s vision to create an emotional and personal connection between the student-athletes, universities and fans through music is one we are proud to help implement,” said Marc Ganis of MSM Sports Music.  “Alan Silvestri is an extraordinary talent who transformed that vision into a moving, powerful and timeless musical score.”

Known for his keen sense of melody and theme, Silvestri has composed over 100 film scores.  His projects include: “Night At The Museum,”“Who Framed Roger Rabbit,”  “The Polar Express,” “What Lies Beneath,” “Stuart Little,” “Lilo and Stitch,” “Father Of The Bride,” “What Women Want,” “Van Helsing,” “Predator,” “Contact,”  “The Bodyguard,” “The Mummy Returns,” and “Two Soldiers,” among many others. 

Silvestri is currently working on the new Robert Zemeckis film, “Beowulf.”  The project features Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie and Robin Wright Penn.

About the NCAA

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,250 member colleges and universities.  Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Division I, II and III sports.  Visit www.ncaa.org for more details about the Association, its goals and members, and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.  The NCAA is proud to have the following elite companies as official Corporate Champions — AT&T/Cingular, Coca-Cola and Pontiac — and the following elite companies as official Corporate Partners — DiGiorno, Enterprise, The Hartford, Lowe’s, and State Farm.

About MSM Sports Music

MSM Sports Music is a joint venture of Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, the leading music agency for film and television, and Sportscorp Ltd., a leading international sports consultancy.  MSM Sports Music was established to bring the best composers and producers from the worlds of movies and television together with domestic and international sports entities.  Visit www.gsamusic.com for more information.