This past weekend, the 81st Annual Academy Awards were held in Hollywood. Per annual tradition, the day before the Oscars, the Society of Composers and Lyricists held a champaign reception for the music nominees, at the home of John and Bonnie Cacavas in Beverly Hills, which was sponsored by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.


Charles Bernstein addresses the gathered crowd

Many folks were on hand to hear SCL president Dan Foliart and Academy Governors Bruce Broughton and Charles Bernstein speak about the nominees in attendance. Nominated for Best Score were composers Alexandre Desplat (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Danny Elfman (Milk) and Thomas Newman (WALL-E), who was also nominated for Best Song with Peter Gabriel (who was unable to attend). Also not able to make it were James Newton Howard (Defiance) and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) - who was also nominated for two Best Songs. (Rahman ultimately won both categories during Sunday night\'s awards ceremony.)


Nominees and guests mingle poolside for the presentation


SCL President Dan Foliart with Oscar nominees Thomas Newman, Danny Elfman and Alexandre Desplat


Danny Elfman (Milk) talks from the diving board


Thomas Newman (WALL-E) discusses his tenth nomination


Academy Governor Bruce Broughton

Special thanks to Ray Costa and Melissa McNeil at Costa Communications. Photos by Dan Goldwasser; group photo by Jacky Sallow