(1946 - Present)
[This Web Site honors themes which have been heard frequently
during the years of "Classic Television" -- usually on network
and nationally-syndicated shows; however on this page, we will
mention a few of the familiar, often nostalgic melodic anthems
which became a tradition on local television stations during
their transmitter Sign-Off sequence.
Although this may seem to be a departure from the national
themes listed on the rest of the site, this is a way to honor
music which has become traditional and familiar on a national
basis, and because the themes below have been used for this
purpose on a number of stations, we will include them here.
One musical Sign-Off tradition which is not listed is that
of segueing into the National Anthem -- the "Star Spangled
Banner" -- at the conclusion of the Sign-Off sequence (right
before the static and white snow appears, after the transmitter
engineer "pulls the plug" by turning off the carrier signal...)
One irony of the choices listed below is that most of them
were taken from the "nemesis" of early television -- from the
scores of motion pictures; perhaps this was an unconscious
choice reflecting the desire for early television stations to
honor the heritage of the wider screen; or perhaps when looking
to find a broad media anthem, motion picture scores written by
some of the better film and television writers were a natural,
obvious source. We list them below in chronological order of
composition.]
[the broad thematic section usually used on the air starts in
from the quiet beginning a couple of minutes... Some stations
may also use a section from the "Sunrise" movement from this
suite during station Sign-On...]
Composer: Ferde Grofé (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: EMI-Robbins Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
of New York, NY
Composition Date: 1931
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
[ASCAP database title for vocal (added in 1954),
aka: "My Own True Love (Tara's Theme)"]
Composers: music by Max Steiner (ASCAP),
with lyric added by Mack David (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher [of "Gone With The Wind" and
"My Own True Love"]:
Remick Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2001 Publishers: Remick Music Corporation (ASCAP)
c/o Warner Bros., Inc.
of Los Angeles, CA; and
Universal-Polygram International
Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o Universal Music Publishing Group
of Los Angeles, CA
Instrumental Copyright Date: 1940; EP 62 937.
Instrumental Renewal Date: 1968;
Vocal Copyright Date
[as: "My Own True Love"]: Nov. 5, 1954; EP 84 711.
Vocal Renewal Date: Jan. 28, 1982; RE-119-851.
Recordings:
[aka: "Ten Commandments (Overture)";
aka: "Love and Ambition";
aka: "Theme from 'The Ten Commandments'"; this composition
is sometimes used for station Sign-On as well as Sign-Off]
Composer: Elmer Bernstein (ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
of Los Angeles, CA
[as "Ten Commandments (Overture)"]:
Copyright Date: Jan. 8, 1957; Eu 461 414.
Renewal Date: Jan. 5, 1985; RE-234-682.
[as "Theme from 'The Ten Commandments' (Love and Ambition)"]:
Copyright Date: April 5, 1966; EP 215 218.
Renewal Date: Sep. 22, 1994; RE-673-807.
Recordings:
[aka: "Love Theme from 'The Electric Horseman'";
aka: "Rising Star";
a nostalgic western theme featuring a harmonica playing
lead melody with a background of strings and a "soft-rock" beat.]
Composer: Dave Grusin (ASCAP/BMI)
[professional name of David Robert Grusin]
1979 Publishers: Gold Horizon Music Corporation (BMI) and
Duchess Music Corporation (BMI)
2001 Publishers: EMI-Gold Horizon Music Corp. (BMI)
c/o EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
of New York, NY; and
Universal-Duchess Music Corporation (BMI)
c/o Universal Music Publishing Group
of Los Angeles, CA
[filed as "Electric Horseman (Score)]:
Copyright Date: Sep. 19, 1979; PAu-154-119.
Recordings: