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ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2026: Honoring the Best in Music

On April 29, 2026, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) held its prestigious ASCAP Screen Celebrates event in Los Angeles, where it revealed the winners of the ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards. This annual event celebrates exceptional composers who enhance the visual narratives across various media, recognizing their vital contributions in films, television, and video games.

The ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards are unique as they are determined by the ASCAP community of songwriters and composers, making them one of the highest honors among U.S. performing rights organizations. They acknowledge outstanding musical scores that have shaped our entertainment landscape over the past year.

2026 ASCAP Composers' Choice Award Winners

The competition was fierce, with nominees spanning multiple genres and formats. Here are the highlighted winners:

• - Film Score of the Year: Wicked For Good - John Powell & Stephen Schwartz
• - Television Score of the Year: Palm Royale - Jeff Toyne
• - Television Theme of the Year: Pluribus - Dave Porter; Stranger Things - Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (tie)
• - Documentary Film Score of the Year: The Age of Disclosure - Blair Mowat
• - Documentary Series Score of the Year: Hurricane Katrina Race Against Time - Amanda Jones
• - Video Game Score of the Year: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate's Fortune - Wilbert Roget II, Jon Everist, and Cody Matthew Johnson

These winners represent a diverse array of storytelling, proving the expansive reach and impact of music in cinema and interactive experiences. Notably, the win for Wicked For Good reaffirms the power of musical adaptations in enhancing emotional journeys through storytelling.

Special Recognition: David Vanacore

During the event, David Vanacore was honored not only for his significant contributions to television music but also received ASCAP's prestigious Golden Note Award. This accolade is reserved for artists who achieve exceptional career milestones. Vanacore has been an influential figure in unscripted scoring, notably for CBS's Survivor, a series he has scored since its inception in 2000. This year marks the show's 50th season, a remarkable achievement in television history.

The Golden Note Award has previously been awarded to renowned artists and composers, emphasizing Vanacore's deep-seated influence and contributions to the music industry.

Celebrating Artistic Excellence

The ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards not only reflect the winning artists' talent but also their dedication to the craft of scoring. The ASCAP community, consisting of over 1.1 million music creators, plays a vital role in recognizing and promoting originality and creativity in music. ASCAP's commitment to its members ensures that composers receive fair compensation for their artistic contributions while advocating for their rights in the industry.

For a complete list of winners and more information, visit ASCAP's official website.

In conclusion, the 2026 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards not only celebrate the remarkable achievements of today’s music creators but also inspire future generations of composers to pursue their artistic passions and elevate the stories that define our culture and shared experiences.