The 2018 Clayes Collage Concert brought about nonstop melodies to Meng Concert Hall as well as the naming of the fifth Titans of Music: alumnus Tom Ranier ’73 (B.A. music).
Amid a packed program of music performed by the School of Music’s different ensembles, College of the Arts Dean Dale A. Merrill and School of Music Director Larry Timm presented the Titans of Music Award to Ranier, an acclaimed instrumentalist and composer. The alumnus’ reputation as a masterful musician has had him arrange music for multiple Academy Awards and a slew of TV and film productions. He has been accompanist for the likes of Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli and Annie Lennox.
A strong believer in music education, Ranier has also taught at Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, Saddleback College and Fullerton College.
The first Titans of Music awards were handed out in 2015 to alumna and operatic soprano Deborah Voigt, Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St. Clair and retired faculty member Carl Schafer. Last April, a fourth Titan of Music was celebrated — former director of Pacific Chorale John Alexander, professor emeritus of music.
More than 250 students participated in the March 10 concert, which helped raise funds for music scholarships.