STEUBENVILLE - Composer Marvin Hamlisch will be the keynote speaker for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting on Sept. 24.
Chamber President Sue Hershey said Hamlisch will present a verbal and musical presentation at the dinner, set for 6 p.m. at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville.
"As a composer, Mr. Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists including three Oscars, four Grammys four Emmys a Tony and three Golden Globe awards," noted Hershey.
"He has written the music for his groundbreaking show, 'A Chorus Line,' which received the Pulitzer Prize, as well as 'They're Playing Our Song,' 'The Goodbye Girl' and 'Sweet Smell of Success.' He is the composer of many motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for 'The Way We Were' and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for 'The Sting,' for which he received a third Oscar," related Hershey.
"His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and musical adaptations for 'Sophie's Choice,' 'Ordinary People,' 'The Swimmer,' 'Three Men and a Baby,' 'Ice Castles,' 'Take the Money and Run,' 'Bananas,' 'Save the Tiger' and his latest effort, 'The Informant,' starring Matt Damon, and directed by Steven Soderbergh," continued Hershey.
Hamlisch holds the position of principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and other noted orchestras throughout the country.
Hamlisch was musical director and arranger of Barbra Streisand's 1994 concert tour of the U.S. and England as well as of the television special, "Barbra Streisand: The Concert" for which he received two of his Emmys.
Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Queens College.
"Mr. Hamlisch believes in the power of music to bring people together and has said 'music can make a difference.' There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can.' He is now working on a new musical called 'Gotta Dance,' and will be writing the music for a film about Liberace, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon," Hershey stated.
Details about the dinner as well as ticket information can be obtained by calling the chamber offices at (740) 282-6226.
