From Paradise Valley Community College’s music program to the red carpet of the 48th Annual Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Gala, alumnus Brandon Berg has cemented his place in both music and television.
After making a strong impression debuting his 2024 Emmy theme to NATAS, Berg was quickly recruited to return for a second consecutive year to compose the gala’s opening musical theme, this time – Old Hollywood.
“When they said, ‘Old Hollywood’, I thought, ‘Awesome, this is exactly my writing style, that sound, that era,’” Berg said. “There’s a lot you can do with that theme. It immediately puts you into a nostalgic sound.”
“We’ve been so honored to have Brandon compose our opening music number for the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards over the past several years. His work perfectly captures the excitement and energy we aim to bring to the evening; it truly sets the tone for an unforgettable celebration,” said President Jennifer Jones, Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter, NATAS.
Last year’s request was more open-ended, calling simply for a ‘high-energy’ piece. Berg said the creative “guard rails” on this year’s concept helped him focus and tell the story through sound. To capture the era’s richness, he conducted an in-depth study of classic Hollywood scores that defined the golden age of film.
With more time to plan and prepare this year, Berg also expanded the project’s collaborative scope, enlisting PVCC Music Faculty John Keenan to help mix and master the final track, ensuring the music “hit correctly” for broadcast.
“Working with Brandon in the studio is always a pleasure,” said Keenan. “His musical insight and professionalism make every session seamless. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work resonate within such a prestigious event and it’s been an honor to be part of the Rocky Mountain Emmys for a second year.”
Adding yet another PVCC connection, Berg wrote saxophone sections for PVCC’s Coordinator of Music Humanities and Performance Dr. Keith Kelly, to perform and give the composition its signature Old Hollywood sound. Dr. Kelly performed using four different saxophones, layering the tones to achieve a dynamic sound.
“Brandon has continued to grow in all aspects of his musical life,” said Dr. Kelly. “He remains curious and willing to try out new ideas to get the results that satisfy both his musical nature and the clients’ requests. I was grateful to be able to jump in on this project as it was close to the end and add what I could to help Brandon realize his vision for the music.”
Keenan, who has mentored Berg since his early PVCC days, added, “I’ve had the privilege of teaching and mentoring Brandon from his time at PVCC through his studies at ASU and now watching him flourish as a composer and producer. His growth has been remarkable as he embodies the best of what modern composers strive for – creativity, technical excellence, and a distinctive voice within today’s contemporary music landscape.”
Berg’s final composition can be heard here. To learn more about PVCC’s music program, visit the website.