# Peter Calandra

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**Peter Calandra** is a [New York City](/source/New_York_City)-based [composer](/source/Composer) and [pianist](/source/Pianist). He is known for his work composing music for television and film as well as conducting and playing piano in [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) and [Off Broadway](/source/Off_Broadway) productions. The former includes the [FIFA Men's](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) and [FIFA Women's World Cup](/source/FIFA_Women's_World_Cup) themes for [FOX Sports](/source/FOX_Sports) and, starting 2015, the themes for the [Special Olympics World Games](/source/Special_Olympics_World_Games) and [Invictus Games](/source/Invictus_Games) for [ESPN](/source/ESPN), in film, *[13th Child](/source/13th_Child)* (2002), *Unknown Soldier* (2004), *Jellysmoke* (2005), and *[BearCity 2: The Proposal](/source/BearCity_2:_The_Proposal)* (2012). He has also composed the music for the [Kennedy Center Honors](/source/Kennedy_Center_Honors).

On Broadway, Calandra has played [keyboard](/source/Keyboard_instrument) for *[Miss Saigon](/source/Miss_Saigon)*, *[Les Misérables](/source/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical))*, and *[The Phantom of the Opera](/source/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical))*. He performed in and served as [conductor](/source/Conductor_(music)) and [musical director](/source/Musical_director) for the original New York City production of *[Little Shop of Horrors](/source/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical))*. In his career as a [pianist](/source/Pianist), he has performed with musical artists and orchestras including [Aretha Franklin](/source/Aretha_Franklin), [The New York Pops](/source/The_New_York_Pops), jazz singer [Dee Dee Bridgewater](/source/Dee_Dee_Bridgewater), [Don Cherry](/source/Don_Cherry_(trumpeter)), and actress/singer [Annie Golden](/source/Annie_Golden).

His own albums are *Sunrise Over New York* (2004), *Late Night Christmas* (2009), *Satya* (2011, with Bill Buchen & [Stomu Takeishi](/source/Stomu_Takeishi)), *Ashokan Memories* (2013), *Inner Circle* (2014), *First Light* (2015), *The Road Home* (2017), *Piano Improvisations, Vol. 1,* *Carpe Noctem*, *Little Paws On The Walls* (all 2018), *Piano Improvisations, Vol. 2* (2019) and *Ambient Tuesdays* (2021). Calandra has a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in [Music Composition](/source/Music_Composition) from [Queens College, City University of New York](/source/Queens_College,_City_University_of_New_York)[1] and teaches Audio/[MIDI](/source/MIDI) Sequencing, Film Scoring and Music Composition at its [Aaron Copland School of Music](/source/Aaron_Copland_School_of_Music) at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.[2]

## Career

### Theatre

Calandra has played [keyboard](/source/Keyboard_instrument) as part of a [pit orchestra](/source/Pit_orchestra) for a number of musicals. Some he is known for include *[Miss Saigon](/source/Miss_Saigon)*, *[Les Misérables](/source/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical))*, and *[The Phantom of the Opera](/source/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical))*.[3] He performed in and also served as conductor and [musical director](/source/Musical_director) for the original New York City production of *[Little Shop of Horrors](/source/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical))* at the [Orpheum Theater](/source/Orpheum_Theatre_(Manhattan)).[1]

### Films

Calandra has scored over 90 [feature](/source/Feature_film) and [short films](/source/Short_film) and [documentaries](/source/Documentaries).[4] For [film scores](/source/Film_score) and compositions, he uses a variety of instrumentation and styles. He has stated that most of the [film music](/source/Film_music) he writes "has a combination of orchestral, choral, piano, ethnic and electronic elements..." but he often alters his approach for certain films. As an example, for his score for *Pat XO*, an [ESPN](/source/ESPN) documentary on college basketball coach [Pat Summitt](/source/Pat_Summitt), Calandra's score is based on [acoustic guitars](/source/Acoustic_guitar) and live [percussion](/source/Percussion). Calandra stated that for this score, he created a "roots oriented," "small ensemble" sound to match the down-to-earth qualities of the film.[5]

One of Calandra's most well-known works is his score for the 2004 film *Unknown Soldier* by director Ferenc Tóth. For this score, which primarily features instrumental [jazz](/source/Jazz), Calandra performed with saxophonist Dale Kleps, trumpeter Bud Burridge, bassist [Kermit Driscoll](/source/Kermit_Driscoll), and drummer Howard Joines.[6] Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez of JazzReview praised the recording, stating that "*Unknown Soldier's* jazz score highlights bravery and the human social fracture in our society."[7]

In 2011, Calandra composed music for the film *Rise*. Commissioned by [U.S. Figure Skating](/source/U.S._Figure_Skating), the film, a Fathom event that played in select theaters, starred [Patricia Clarkson](/source/Patricia_Clarkson) and [Dakota Fanning](/source/Dakota_Fanning), with appearances by American skaters like [Dorothy Fleming](/source/Dorothy_Fleming), [Michelle Kwan](/source/Michelle_Kwan), and [Scott Hamilton](/source/Scott_Hamilton_(figure_skater)).[8] It commemorated members of the U.S. figure skating team killed in the 1961 crash of [Sabena Flight 548](/source/Sabena_Flight_548). Calandra composed an orchestral score as well as an original song which plays during the opening [title sequence](/source/Title_sequence) of the film.[9]

### Television

Calandra's television composition credits include projects for the [National Geographic Society](/source/National_Geographic_Society), [Sesame Workshop](/source/Sesame_Workshop), [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company)-[Touchstone](/source/Touchstone_Pictures), [NBC](/source/NBC), [Fox Sports](/source/Fox_Sports), [A&E](/source/A%26E_(TV_channel)), and [Discovery Communications](/source/Discovery_Communications). A few of his songs from his 2003 soundtrack album *Sunrise Over New York* have also been used on [The Weather Channel's](/source/The_Weather_Channel) *[Local on the 8s](/source/Local_on_the_8s)* segments in early 2004. He also written a large amount of themes for [television broadcast](/source/Television_broadcast), theme packages for [Fox Sports](/source/Fox_Sports), [ESPN](/source/ESPN), [Bravo](/source/Bravo_(U.S._TV_channel)), [NBC-Comcast SportsNet](/source/NBC-Comcast_SportsNet), [MSG](/source/MSG_(TV_channel)), [SportsNet New York](/source/SportsNet_New_York), and the [Big Ten Network](/source/Big_Ten_Network).[1] Most recently this has included the [FIFA Men's](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) and [Women's World Cup](/source/FIFA_Women's_World_Cup) themes for FOX Sports and the themes for the [Special Olympics World Games](/source/Special_Olympics_World_Games)[10] and [Invictus Games](/source/Invictus_Games) for ESPN starting in 2015.

He composed the music for the [Kennedy Center Honors](/source/Kennedy_Center_Honors) in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019[10] which airs every year on [CBS](/source/CBS).[11][12] In 2020, Calandra composed three nights of the music for the [2020 Democratic National Convention](/source/2020_Democratic_National_Convention).[10] In 2024 he composed music for 3 biopics about Vice President Kamala Harris that were shown during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

### Work for individual artists and musical groups

In his career as a pianist, Calandra has performed with musical artists and orchestras including [The New York Pops](/source/The_New_York_Pops), jazz singer [Dee Dee Bridgewater](/source/Dee_Dee_Bridgewater), trumpeter [Don Cherry](/source/Don_Cherry_(trumpeter)), soul singer [Aretha Franklin](/source/Aretha_Franklin), [Allen Ginsberg](/source/Allen_Ginsberg), and actress/singer [Annie Golden](/source/Annie_Golden). He also spent many years as a keyboard player in New York City-based artist and musician [Larry Rivers'](/source/Larry_Rivers) Climax Band.[1]

## Selected discography

Year Album details 2004 Sunrise Over New York Label: PCM 2006 Unknown Soldier Soundtrack Label: MovieScore Media 2008 Jellysmoke Soundtrack Label: MovieScore Media 2009 Late Night Christmas Label: PCM 2011 Satya with Bill Buchen & Stomu Takeishi Label: PCM 2013 Ashokan Memories Label: PCM 2014 Inner Circle Label: PCM 2015 First Light Label: PCM 2017 The Road Home Label: PCM 2018 Piano Improvisations, Vol.1 Label: PCM 2018 Carpe Noctem Label: PCM 2018 Little Paws On The Walls Label: PCM 2019 Piano Improvisations, Vol.2 Label: PCM 2021 Ambient Tuesdays Label: PCM 2023 The Blue Light Label: PCM 2024 Spirit Label: PCM 2025 Night Mist Label: PCM

## Selected filmography

Year Film details 2002 13th Child Composed score 2004 Unknown Soldier Composed score 2005 Jellysmoke Composed score 2010 Unmatched Composed score[13] 2011 Rise Composed score and original song 2012 BearCity 2: The Proposal Composed score 2013 align-"left"| Pat XO Composed score 2014 align-"left"| 41 on 41 Composed score 2015 align-"left"| Coach Bernie Composed score 2017 align-"left"| Maria Sharapova: The Point Composed score 2021 align-"left"| SEC Storied Once Upon A Comeback Composed score 2021 align-"left"| The 96 Effect Composed score 2022 align-"left"| Catch 98 Composed score

## Awards

- 2004 [Los Angeles Film Festival](/source/LA_Film_Festival), for *Unknown Soldier*
- 2004 [Philadelphia Film Festival](/source/Philadelphia_Film_Festival), for *Unknown Soldier*
- 2005 [Los Angeles Film Festival](/source/LA_Film_Festival), for *Jellysmoke*
- 2016 [New York Festivals](/source/New_York_Festivals): "Finalist Award Winner, Best Music/Lyrics" for "ESPN Special Olympics World Games Theme"
- 2016 One World Music: "Best Piano With Instrumentation" for "First Light"
- 2017 One World Music: "Best Contemporary Instrumental" for "The Road Home"
- 2018 Global Music Awards: "Silver Medal Winner-Outstanding Achievement" for the composition "Agnus Dei"[1][better source needed]
- 2023 Global Music Awards: "Silver Medal Winner-Outstanding Achievement" for album "The Blue Light"
- 2023 [Hollywood Independent Music Awards](/source/Hollywood_Independent_Music_Awards) Nominee: "Jazz-Smooth/Cool" for "Neptune Beach-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2023 Clouzine Magazine: "Best Jazz Funk" for "Bleecker Street-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2023 Global Music Awards: "Bronze Medal Winner-Jazz Composer" for "Neon Beach-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2024 [Hollywood Independent Music Awards](/source/Hollywood_Independent_Music_Awards) Nominee: "Jazz-Smooth/Cool" for "Mixed Emotions-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2025 Clouzine Magazine: "Best Brazilian Song" for "September In Rio-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2025 Global Music Awards: "Silver Medal Winner-Outstanding Achievement" for album "Neptune Beach-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"
- 2025 [Hollywood Independent Music Awards](/source/Hollywood_Independent_Music_Awards) Nominee: "Jazz-Smooth/Cool" for "Shades Of Life-Pete Calandra and Straight Up"

## References

1. ["Biography for Peter Calandra"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0129321/bio). *IMDb*. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 15 August 2013.

1. ["Peter Calandra"](http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/music/faculty/peter-calandra). *Queens College, CUNY*

1. ["Peter Calandra: Male"](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/peter-calandra-93621). Internet Broadway Database.

1. ["Peter Calandra"](http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-calandra/6/330/8b1). *LinkedIn*. LinkedIn Corporation. Retrieved 23 August 2013.

1. Young, Robyn (15 April 2013). ["Peter Calandra Scores ESPN's 'Pat XO' – Showing at 2013 Tribeca Film Fest"](http://www.filmmusicmag.com/?p=11037). *Film Music Magazine*. Global Media Online, Inc. Retrieved 15 August 2013.

1. Ruhlmann, William. ["Unknown Soldier - Unknown Soldier"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/unknown-soldier-mw0001150745). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Rovi Corporation](/source/Rovi_Corporation). Retrieved 15 August 2013.

1. Ordonez, Dr. Ana Isabel (13 September 2005). ["Unknown Soldier by Peter Calandra"](http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/jazz-dvd-/-video-cd-reviews/unknown-soldier-by-peter-calandra.html). *jazzReview*. jazzreview.com. Retrieved 15 August 2013.

1. ["Rise (2011): Full Cast & Crew"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1808440/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm). IMDb.com, Inc.

1. ["Composer Peter Calandra and the feature film "Rise""](http://www.filmmusicmag.com/?p=7179). *Film Music Magazine*. Global Media Online, Inc. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2013.

1. ["Peter Calandra: Filmography"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0129321/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr7). *IMDb*. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 21 September 2020.

1. Hipes, Patrick (23 June 2016). ["Kennedy Center Honors: Al Pacino, Eagles, James Taylor & More"](https://deadline.com/2016/06/kennedy-center-honors-2016-al-pacinio-eagles-james-taylor-mavis-staples-martha-argerich-1201778011/). Deadline.

1. smith, Jada F. (23 June 2016). ["The Gospel Singer Mavis Staples to Get Kennedy Center Honor"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/24/arts/mavis-staples-to-get-kennedy-center-honor.html). *The New York Times*

1. ["30 For 30: Unmatched"](http://www.espn.com/30for30/film?page=unmatched). *espn.com*. ESPN Films.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.petecalandramusic.com)
- [Peter Calandra](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0129321/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Peter Calandra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Calandra) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Calandra?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.