Wooster native Philip Giffin to discuss Hollywood music career at WCHS program

The Wayne County Historical Society will present From Wooster to Hollywood with Emmy-nominated composer and producer Philip Giffin on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room at Wooster High School. Donations to the Wayne County Historical Society will be accepted.

Giffin, a Wooster native, is known for his versatility in film and television music. He has composed, arranged, orchestrated and conducted scores for feature films and television programs including “Die Hard,” “Die Hard II,” “Lethal Weapon,” “Lethal Weapon II,” “Sommersby,” “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Like Mike,” “Fatal Instinct,” “Beethoven’s 3rd,” “Beethoven’s 4th,” “Soul Plane,” “Muppets Tonight,” “The Simpsons” and more. Disney engaged him to conduct a full orchestra weekly to score 93 episodes of its animated series “Darkwing Duck.”

In addition to film and television work, Giffin is a respected record producer. He has produced artists such as RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan and directed music for celebrities including Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Michelle Pfeiffer, Val Kilmer, Tim Robbins, Justin Willman, Tracey Ullman, The Muppets, Cirque du Soleil Director Stefan Haves and more.

He arranged music for a 104-piece marching band for Stefflon Don’s hit “16 Shots,” featuring drummer Vinie Colaiuta, Ozomatli and Mystic Marley. Giffin also produced a vocal duet of Michael Feinstein and Liza Minnelli singing “Embraceable You” for Feinstein’s album “Gershwin Country.”