Paul Chihara

Composer

Birthday July 9, 1938

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Washington

Age 86 years old

#276,753 Most Popular

About

Japanese-American composer known for his concert works and film scores. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra hired him as its first composer-in-residence during the tenure of conductor Neville Marriner.

Before Fame

He received a Master's degree in English literature from Cornell University. While in Paris, he was a student under Nadia Boulanger, in West Berlin with Ernst Pepping, and in Tanglewood with Gunther Schuller.

Trivia

His first film score was for Roger Corman's "Death Race 2000," which was released in 1974. He also worked on "China Beach," "Simon & Simon," "MacGruder and Loud," and many other film and television productions.

Family Life

He and his family were Japanese Americans who were forced into an internment camp in Minidoka, Idaho, during World War II. He and his wife Carol both became accomplished viola players.

Associated With

He taught famous film composer James Horner at UCLA.