SECERT WEAPONS OVER NORMANDY

In June 2003, Team Giacchino descended on the Bastyr Chapel for more orchestral madness (previously recording several Medal Of Honor scores there as well) to score WWII flight sim, Secret Weapons Over Normandy.   

Consisting of a 76 piece orchestra, 50 person choir and 10 person Taiko drum ensemble, the score comprises of roughly 90 minutes of (almost) solid action music.   Recorded over four 3 hour sessios, the orchestra got a full work out, with the choir and percussion performing in additional sessions.

"This score has turned out to be one of the hardest projects I have worked on to date.   It's contained the most music, and frankly the most notes I've ever written for anything.   I think it's fair to say that 75% of the music cues came in at about 5 minutes and were at tempos never slower than 140 and as fast as 165.   That equates to many, many measures of music." - Michael Giacchino

"The most important thing Michael learned on this project is to never breeze through airport customs carrying packages labeled "Secret Weapons". - Paul Tonks

Michael Giacchino and Chris Tilton prepare for the long day ahead of them.

Loading the score into the van.

Arriving at the Bastyr Chapel, while Chris Tilton photographs the photographer!

Paul Tonks holding the entire score!

Engineer Steve Smith and Michael Giacchino at the helm..I mean cockpit.

Even if it's recorded outside LA, the lucky charms still come along for the ride!

The Taiko ensemble led by Stan Shikuma.

Tim Simonec conducting the orchestra.

Composer Michael Giacchino, concert master and orchestra contractor Simon James, and conductor Tim Simonec.

Erik Woods (photographer/videographer), Alki Steriopoulos (piano/semi-chior conductor) (red shirt), Paul Tonks (linear notes), conductor Tim Simonec, composer Michael Giacchino, Chris Tilton (black shirt), engineer Steve Smith (grey shirt) and producer Peter Hirschmann (green shirt).

Photos courtesy of Erik Woods of Cinematic Sound

Audio samples are low quality and are presented for educational purposes only.   All original content © Music By Michael Giacchino.   Reproduction whether in part or full is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.