Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction
The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction
In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order. The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place.
Winners and nominations
indicates the winner
1970s
1980s
Year
Program
Episode
Nominees
Network
1980 [ 9]
Baryshnikov on Broadway
Ian Fraser
ABC
Barry Manilow: One Voice Artie Butler
ABC
The Big Show "Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles"
Nick Perito , Joe Lipman , Angela Morley and Peter Myers
NBC
1981
Outstanding Music Direction[ 10]
Linda in Wonderland
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Billy Byers and Bob Florence
CBS
The Magic of David Copperfield III Sid Feller , Norman Mamey and George Wyle
CBS
Omnibus
"Aretha Franklin, Princess Grace of Monaco and John Ritter"
Alf Clausen , Jack Elliott and William Goldstein
ABC
Perry Como's Christmas in the Holy Land Nick Perito
Stand by Your Man Carl Brandt , Deane Hagen and Earle Hagen
CBS
Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class[ 11] [ note 1]
The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration Alan Barker, Zubin Mehta , Nick Perito and Michael Tilson Thomas
CBS
1982 [ 12]
Night of 100 Stars
Bill Elton, Elliot Lawrence , Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Jonathan Tunick and Torrie Zito
ABC
Ain't Misbehavin' Luther Henderson
NBC
The American Movie Awards
Allyn Ferguson
Shirley MacLaine... Illusions
Peter Matz
CBS
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman and Billy Byers
1983 [ 13]
Eubie Blake: A Century of Music (Kennedy Center Tonight)
Dick Hyman
PBS
Epcot Center: The Opening Celebration
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman and Billy Byers
CBS
Ellington: The Music Live (Great Performances )
Mercer Ellington
PBS
Perry Como's Christmas in Paris Jon Charles and Nick Perito
ABC
Sheena Easton... Act One
Peter Matz
NBC
1984 [ 14]
The Screen Actors Guild 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Billy Byers , J. Hill and Lenny Stack
CBS
Marilyn Horne's Great American Songbook (Live from Lincoln Center )
William D. Brohn, Paul Chihara , Jack Gale, Glenn Osser , Leonard Slatkin and Jonathan Tunick
PBS
The Magic of David Copperfield VI Mauro Bruno and George Wyle
CBS
Perry Como's Christmas in New York Nick Perito
ABC
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Ray Charles and Jon Charles
NBC
1985 [ 15]
Christmas in Washington Ian Fraser , Billy Byers and Angela Morley
NBC
Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration
Tony Fox, J. Hill , John Rodby and Lenny Stack
NBC
Night of 100 Stars II
Bill Elton, Lawrence James, Elliot Lawrence , Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Glen Roven and Torrie Zito
ABC
Perry Como's Christmas in England Nick Perito
1986 [ 16]
The 1986 Tony Awards Elliot Lawrence , James Lawrence, Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Glen Roven , Larry Schwartz and Torrie Zito
CBS
Andy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santa
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, J. Hill and Lenny Stack
NBC
The Kennedy Center Honors Bob Alberti , Jon Charles, Allyn Ferguson , Peter Matz and Nick Perito
CBS
Kraft Salutes George Burns' 90th Birthday
Peter Matz
1987 [ 17]
Broadway Sings: The Music of Jule Styne (Great Performances )
Buster Davis, Don Pippin and Eric Stern
PBS
A Carol Burnett Special... Carol, Carl, Whoopi & Robin Peter Matz
ABC
Liberty Weekend: Opening Ceremonies Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Ralph Burns , Alexander Courage , J. Hill and Angela Morley
The Perry Como Christmas Special Nick Perito
The 1987 Tony Awards Larry Grossman , Wally Harper , Elliot Lawrence , James Lawrence, Lanny Meyers and Torrie Zito
CBS
1988 [ 18]
Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Alexander Courage and Angela Morley
ABC
Celebrating Gershwin (Great Performances )
Michael Tilson Thomas
PBS
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Larry Grossman , Mark Hummel , Elliot Lawrence , James Lawrence, Peter Matz , Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Larry Schwartz, Don Sebesky and Torrie Zito
CBS
Moonlighting "Cool Hand Dave, Part 2"
Alf Clausen , Brad Dechter, George Gaffney , Hummie Mann and Don Nemitz
ABC
1989
Outstanding Music Direction[ 19]
Christmas in Washington Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman and J. Hill
NBC
Late Night with David Letterman "7th Anniversary Special"
Paul Shaffer , Bruce Kapler
NBC
Michelob Presents Saturday Night Marcus Miller
Syndicated
Moonlighting "A Womb with a View"
Alf Clausen , Brad Dechter, George Gaffney , Hummie Mann and D'Vaughn Pershing
ABC
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour "Kenny Rogers, Maureen McGovern and Geoffrey Lewis"
Jack Elliott
CBS
Outstanding Music for Special Events[ 20] [ note 2]
The 11th Annual Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Bob Alberti , Jon Charles, Ray Charles , Mark Hummel , Dick Lieb and Nick Perito
CBS
1990s
Year
Program
Episode
Nominees
Network
1990 [ 21]
Julie Andrews in Concert (Great Performances )
Ian Fraser , Billy Byers , Chris Boardman, Bob Florence , J. Hill and Angela Morley
PBS
The 63rd Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti , Jack Eskew , Julie Giroux , Ashley Irwin, William Kidd , Morton Stevens , Peter Matz and Billy Byers
ABC
The Kennedy Center Honors Nick Perito , Ray Charles and Jon Charles
CBS
Sammy Davis Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
Glen Roven , David Michael Frank , Bruce Miller, Joe Curiale and Lawrence Schwartz
ABC
The Songwriters Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary... The Magic of Music Elliot Lawrence , Jack Cornter, Marvin Laird, Jamie Lawrence, Peter Matz , Lanny Meyers , James 'Buddy' Skipper and Torrie Zito
CBS
1991 [ 22]
The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards
Ian Fraser , Billy Byers , Chris Boardman and J. Hill
Disney
The 63rd Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti , Jack Eskew , Julie Giroux , Ashley Irwin, Dennis McCarthy and Marc Shaiman
ABC
The Josephine Baker Story Ralph Burns
HBO
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson Larry Grossman , Paul McKibbons, Torrie Zito and Jamie Lawrence
CBS
The 1990 Tony Awards Elliot Lawrence , Lanny Meyers , Torrie Zito and Jamie Lawrence
1992 [ 23]
The 64th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti , Jack Eskew , Julie Giroux , Ashley Irwin and Hummie Mann
ABC
Christmas in Washington Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Billy Byers and J. Hill
NBC
The Kennedy Center Honors Nick Perito and Ray Charles
CBS
Late Night with David Letterman "10th Anniversary Special"
Paul Shaffer and Bruce Kapler
NBC
1993 [ 24]
The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala Ian Fraser
CBS
The 65th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
The Kennedy Center Honors Nick Perito
CBS
Sinatra "Part 1"
Artie Butler
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles "Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues"
Joel McNeely
ABC
1994 [ 25]
Gypsy Michael Rafter
CBS
The 66th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Bowl (Great Performances )
Donald Pippin
PBS
The Kennedy Center Honors Elliot Lawrence
CBS
The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards
Ian Fraser
Disney
1995 [ 26]
Barbra Streisand: The Concert Marvin Hamlisch
HBO
The 67th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
The Kennedy Center Honors Elliot Lawrence
CBS
The 38th Pablo Casals Festival Krzysztof Penderecki
A&E
The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards
Ian Fraser
Disney
1996 [ 27]
Sinatra: 80 Years My Way
Glen Roven
ABC
Bye Bye Birdie Irwin Fisch
ABC
Christmas in Washington Ian Fraser
NBC
The 39th Pablo Casals Festival Krzysztof Penderecki
A&E
Peter and the Wolf George Daugherty
ABC
1997 [ 28]
Centennial Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies Mark Watters
NBC
The 69th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas Bobby Lyle
HBO
The 53rd Presidential Inaugural Gala: An American Journey Ian Fraser
CBS
The Simpsons "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious "
Alf Clausen
Fox
1998 [ 29]
The 70th Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
Michael Crawford in Concert
Ian Fraser
PBS
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella Paul Bogaev
ABC
The Simpsons "All Singing, All Dancing "
Alf Clausen
Fox
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine "His Way "
Jay Chattaway
Syndicated
1999 [ 30]
The Rat Pack Mark Adler
HBO
The 71st Annual Academy Awards Bill Conti
ABC
And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story
Steve Tyrell
ABC
Christmas in Washington Ian Fraser
TNT
Janet: The Velvet Rope Rex Salas
HBO
The Temptations "Part 1"
Daniel Carlin
NBC
2000s
2010s
2020s
Year
Program
Episode
Nominees
Network
2020 [ 51]
The Kennedy Center Honors Rickey Minor
CBS
Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince
Sheila E. , Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
CBS
The Oscars Rickey Minor
ABC
Saturday Night Live "SNL at Home #1"
Lenny Pickett , Leon Pendarvis and Eli Brueggemann
NBC
Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show Starring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira Adam Wayne Blackstone
Fox
2021 [ 52]
Bo Burnham: Inside Bo Burnham
Netflix
Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry Aron Forbes
Apple TV+
Celebrating America — An Inauguration Night Special Rickey Minor
[ note 3]
David Byrne's American Utopia Karl Mansfield
HBO
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist "Zoey's Extraordinary Goodbye"
Harvey Mason Jr.
NBC
2022 [ 53]
The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent Adam Blackstone
NBC
43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors Rickey Minor
CBS
44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga Michael Bearden and Lee Musiker
Saturday Night Live "Host: Jake Gyllenhaal"
Lenny Pickett , Leon Pendarvis and Eli Brueggemann
NBC
2023 [ 54]
Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song: Joni Mitchell
Greg Phillinganes
PBS
The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna Adam Blackstone and Omar Edwards
Fox
The Oscars Rickey Minor
ABC
2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Adam Blackstone
HBO
Saturday Night Live "Host: Austin Butler"
Lenny Pickett , Leon Pendarvis and Eli Brueggemann
NBC
2024 [ 55]
The Oscars Rickey Minor
ABC
Late Night with Seth Meyers "Episode 1488"
Fred Armisen and Eli Janney
NBC
The 46th Kennedy Center Honors Rickey Minor
CBS
2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Adam Blackstone , Don Was and Omar Edwards
ABC
Saturday Night Live "Host: Ryan Gosling"
Lenny Pickett , Leon Pendarvis and Eli Brueggemann
NBC
Notes
^ As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominees did not meet the benchmark and no award was given.
^ As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominees did not meet the benchmark and no award was given.
^ Celebrating America — An Inauguration Night Special was simulcast on multiple television stations simultaneously. The Emmys listed no individual network with this nomination.
References
^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Television Academy . Retrieved April 18, 2020 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners" . Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved April 19, 2020 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 14, 2017 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 13, 2018 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 14, 2021 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023 .^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy" . Emmys.com. Retrieved July 19, 2024 .
1970s 1980s
Ian Fraser (1980)Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Billy Byers , and Bob Florence (1981)Bill Elton, Elliot Lawrence , Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Jonathan Tunick , and Torrie Zito (1982)
Dick Hyman (1983)Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Billy Byers , J. Hill , and Lenny Stack (1984)Ian Fraser , Billy Byers , and Angela Morley (1985)Elliot Lawrence , James Lawrence, Lanny Meyers , Tommy Newsom , Glen Roven , Larry Schwartz, and Torrie Zito (1986)Buster Davis, Don Pippin , and Eric Stern (1987)
Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, Alexander Courage , and Angela Morley (1988)Ian Fraser , Chris Boardman, and J. Hill (1989) 1990s
Ian Fraser , Billy Byers , Chris Boardman, Bob Florence , J. Hill , and Angela Morley (1990)Ian Fraser , Billy Byers , Chris Boardman, and J. Hill (1991)Bill Conti , Jack Eskew , Julie Giroux , Ashley Irwin, and Hummie Mann (1992)Ian Fraser (1993)Michael Rafter (1994)Marvin Hamlisch (1995)Glen Roven (1996)Mark Watters (1997)Bill Conti (1998)Mark Adler (1999) 2000s 2010s 2020s
Programs Performance Directing Writing Animation Casting Choreography Cinematography Commercials Costume Design Hairstyling Lighting Main Title / Motion Design Makeup Music Picture Editing Production Design Sound Editing Sound Mixing Special Effects Stunts Technical Direction Engineering Retired
