Fresno native Jeff Atmajian, known for his work on blockbuster films such as “Joker” (2019), “Wicked” (2024), and “The Dark Knight” (2008), returned home Wednesday to speak at the Saroyan Theatre for the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall’s Daytime Speaker Series on “The Magic of Music in Films.”

Atmajian, an orchestrator, conductor, and arranger, has also contributed to films like “Mary Poppins Returns” (2018), “Creed” (2015), and “Gangs of New York” (2002). His expertise in cinematic composition drew a large crowd to the Saroyan eager to hear his insights.

Atmajian, who studied mechanical engineering at Fresno State before graduating with a degree in composition, expressed gratitude for his Central Valley roots. “From this wonderful city, which I still consider home because I come back often to see family and friends here, I’m grateful,” Atmajian said. “I guess I’m being a bit celebrated by the very city that brought me to the place where I might be willing to be celebrated.”

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Evolution of Music in Film

During his talk, Atmajian explored the evolution of film scores and music during his presentation, showcasing iconic clips from classic films like “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962), and “The Graduate” (1967).

He highlighted the famous scene from “Chariots of Fire” (1981), where athletes run along the beach to Vangelis’ iconic theme, illustrating how music can shape a scene and evoke emotions for viewers.

Atmajian expressed gratitude for those who influenced his musical journey, from his early music teachers to professors at USC and local Fresno venues like Pilgrim Church and Northwest Church.

Quoting composer James Newton Howard, with whom he has collaborated, Atmajian reflected on his success: “There’s a lot of luck in our careers. Yes, maybe I have some talent, maybe I’ve put in a lot of work, maybe I’ve sacrificed things, but also, I’ve been given opportunity.”

He added, “Preparation and opportunity, when they meet, that’s important, because you don’t always get opportunities, and when you do you want to be ready as fast as possible. I guess I was.”

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Live Performance and Q&A

A highlight of the event was Atmajian’s piano performance, which captivated the audience as he played snippets of Beethoven classics, offering a glimpse into his music arrangement process through his unique interpretations of the compositions.

Following his speech, Atmajian participated in a Q&A session, answering questions about whether he listens to mainstream music and his thoughts on classic film scores.

Atmajian shared that his favorite project was “The American President” (1995).

He returned to the piano to perform pieces from “Wicked,” explaining the behind-the-scenes process of the production and sharing fun stories, such as his work on “King Kong” (2005). On that project, a last-minute score change meant he and Howard had little time to complete the music. He said that at recording sessions, director Peter Jackson provided notes from New Zealand via virtual meetings to guide the score.

His talk ended with the audience giving him a standing ovation.

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About Town Hall

The nonprofit San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is run by an all-volunteer board of directors. For 88 seasons, its mission has been to bring nationally and internationally renowned, thought-provoking speakers who inform, educate, and entertain the audience.

GV Wire is a media sponsor of Town Hall.