05/23/08

Chance Thomas Scores Mines of Moria

Turbine, Inc., the world's premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities, has contracted HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas to create new music for its upcoming release, The Lord of the Rings Online (TM): Mines of Moria (TM). Thomas is creating all new live orchestral and choral themes and score for the game, based on the rich literary settings of Moria and Lothlorien.

05/14/08

Chicago Spire Score Takes Top Aurora Award

Composer Chance Thomas took top honors at the International Aurora Award competition, winning Platinum Best of Show for his original music score for the Chicago Spire Art Film. Thomas' piece, "INSPIRE", is built around a gentle piano motif, children's chorus, clarinet, flute, solo violin and a crescendo with full orchestra and choir. Chance played and recorded the piano at his HUGEsound studio near Yosemite, Calfornia. The LA East Session Choir (comprised of singers from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and International Children's Chorus were both recorded at LA East in Salt Lake City, UT. The 75 piece live orchestra was recorded at Bastyr Chapel in Seattle, WA and mixed by Reed Ruddy of Studio X.

The composition underscores a brilliantly conceived and artistically executed art film visualization of the Chicago Spire, a 2000 foot tall skyscraper designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The film, which also took awards for Best Director and Best Visual Effects, was directed by Sheena Duggal of Sony Pictures, produced by Jacquie Barnbrook of Imageworks, with Paul Currie of Lightstream Pictures as Senior Producer, and Garrett Kelleher as Executive Producer. Liz Rueger of Independent Artists Representatives represented Thomas in the deal. Congratulations to everyone!

02/21/08

Chance Thomas honored with Distinguished Service Award

Chance Thomas was honored Thursday night at the Game Audio Network Guild Awards with the Guild's "Distinguished Service Award". The GANG Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in game music, sound and implementation, were held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The award recognizes Chance's twelve years of actively promoting high standards for game music, recognition for outstanding achievement, years of work within GANG to build the organization and serve its members, and making a positive contribution to the game audio community at large.

02/20/08

HUGE presence at GDC

Chance Thomas had a high profile at this year's Game Developers Conference. In addition to serving on the Audio Advisory Board for the conference, Chance was asked to speak at four conference sessions. During Audio Boot Camp, he spoke on the opportunites and challenges associated with "Creating Original Music for Licensed Games". On the conference's first full day, he joined industry veterans Torrie Dorell (VP of Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment), Tim Larkin (Audio Director, Cyan Worlds), Blake Lewin (VP of Media and Entertainment, Turner Broadcasting Systems) and Steve Ogden (Art Director, Firaxis Games) in presenting a multi-disciplined perspective on game sound. On Thursday, Chance led a panel of experts in the field of audio design and production for Massively Multiplayer Online games. Chance's guests included Creative Director Geoff Scott of Turbine Entertainment (Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online), Audio Director Michael Henry of Cryptic Studios (Champions Online, City of Heroes) and Creative Services Director Russell Brower of Blizzard Entertainment (World of Warcraft).

02/13/08

EA gets HUGE boost for Nerf and Pet Shop titles

Electronic Arts has announced the development of two new game titles, N-Stike and Littlest Pet Shop, set for release this coming holiday season. Chance Thomas is audio director on both projects.

01/23/08

LOTRO music snags GANG Award nomination

The music from Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar has been named a FINALIST in this year's Game Audio Network Guild Awards.

12/26/07

LOTRO music takes honors at IGN

IGN has honored the original score for Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar in their BEST OF 2007 Awards. The epic music score, with live orchestral and choral tracks by Chance Thomas, was named Runner-up in the Best Original Score category. Our congratulations to the entire music team.

11/28/07

Chance scores with Inside The PGA Tour

HUGEsound is pleased to announce the placement of Chance Thomas' music in the popular Golf channel program, Inside The PGA Tour.

11/12/07

HUGEsound scores on Surf's Up DVD

Check out the bonus features on the DVD release of "Surf's Up". You'll find included a rerelease of the Academy Award winning animated short film, "The ChubbChubbs", with original music score, sound design and effects, and songs produced by HUGEsound.

11/05/07

BYU Magazine features Chance Thomas

The Fall 2007 issue of BYU magazine, celebrating the outstanding achievements of its music school alumni, has a cameo feature on HUGEsound's Chance Thomas. The feature highlights his work on the Academy Award winning motion picture, The ChubbChubbs, as well as his work on such hit videogame titles as Lord of the Rings Online, XMEN and Peter Jackson's King Kong. See an online snippet - HERE.

11/01/07

Pump It Up! gets HUGE new score

Pump It Up!, central California's premier party warehouse chain, has contracted HUGEsound to underscore its new advertising campaign. Produced by Mark Aro of Aftershock Studios, the new campaign is underscored with a rapid paced, fresh and sassy dance track created by HUGEsound.

10/11/07

Thomas named to GDC Advisory Board

Chance Thomas has been appointed to serve as a member of the Audio Advisory Board for GDC, the videogame industry's flagship annual development conference. Thomas joins fellow game audio veterans Tommy Tallarico (Video Games Live) Brian Schmidt (Microsoft XBOX worldwide), and Dave Ranyard (Sony Playstation Europe).

10/03/07

Music from Chicago Spire Art Film now online

Click on the link below - "Listen to Chance's Music". Then select the Spotlight category. A music excerpt from the Chicago Spire Art Film is on the first track.

09/07/07

Commissioned orchestral works by Chance Thomas to premier in Chicago September 26, 2007

Two newly commissioned works by composer Chance Thomas will have their worldwide premier September 26, 2007 at the gala ground-breaking for the Chicago Spire. "InSpire", composed for Sony Pictures artistic film rendering of the Chicago Spire and recorded by the Northwest Sinfonia and International Children's Chorus, will be presented with the film as the keynote of the occassion. Immediately preceding the film presentation will be a live concert performance of Chance's Spire Scherzo for double string trio and cello, composed epecially for the event.

08/31/07

HUGEsound and score for Iron Lore

Iron Lore Entertainment, winner of IGDA's prestigious Studio of the Year Award, has hired HUGEsound to provide sound and music services for an unannounced new project. Services included creation of an original orchestral score, sound design and effects, dialog editing, audio mix and mastering.

08/23/07

Ice Cube gets HUGE music track

That hip sounding acoustic guitar and Dobro track underscoring the television broadcast promotion of Ice Cube's film, "Are We There Yet?", was performed by guitar vituoso and long time HUGEsound collaborator Rich Dixon. Chance Thomas composed the track and produced the sessions.

08/10/07

Chance Thomas featured in new album review

A new review of the music CD, "Best of the Best: A Tribute to Game Music", by newspaper columnist Scott Iwasaki offers a nice tribute to Thomas' contribution to the project. He says, "Thomas takes the work [Medal of Honor]...and lays the soul of the music on the table." Read the complete review in the Deseret Morning News - HERE.

07/31/07

INSPIRE gets live orchestra and choirs

Chance Thomas has completed recording the original music commission, "InSPIRE", for Sony Pictures' artistic film rendering of The Chicago Spire. InSPIRE was recorded with a 72-piece live orchestra at the Bastyr Chapel (above) in Seattle, WA; a 24-voice choir with singers from the Tabernale Choir at LA East in Salt Lake City, UT; and the International Children's Chorus, also recorded at LA East. Chance Thomas conducted the orchestra and choirs, with Reed Ruddy and Ryan Boud as chief engineers.

07/18/07

Sony Pictures Imageworks gets HUGE score

Sony Pictures Imageworks has been tapped to create an artistic film rendering of The Chicago Spire, a new world landmark set for construction in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Sheena Duggal is creative director, Paul Currie (Lightstream Pictures) is exectutive director, and Jacquie Barnbrook is producer on the project. HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas will compose and produce the original score.

07/01/07

Chance Thomas delivers music for Marvel Universe Online

Cryptic Studios, the leading independent developer of massively-multiplayer online games, has contracted with award-winning composer Chance Thomas to deliver music for their hotly anticipated MMO, MARVEL UNIVERSE ONLINE Marvel Universe will be published by Microsoft Games.

07/01/07

HUGE commission for new world landmark

Chance Thomas has been commissioned to create a new original composition for orchestra, piano, children's chorus and choir to underscore the inauguration of a new world landmark, The Chicago Spire. The Spire, designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and developed by Shelbourne Development Group Inc., will be situated in the famous Lakeshore region of downtown Chicago. When completed, the beautifully winding glass and steel structure will be the tallest building in the Western hemisphere. Announced plans for the tower include 300 luxury residences, some retail and support offices, and a 20-story, five star luxury hotel.

06/19/07

RPG Vault publishes MEO Memories - Part 3

Part Three of the Middle-earth Online interview, with particular attention to Chance Thomas' music for LOTRO and MEO. Read it - HERE.

06/16/07

Music 4 Games publishes LOTRO music interview

Music 4 Games has published a broad ranging music interview with Chance Thomas and other members of the music team from Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. Read the full interview - HERE.

06/13/07

RPG Vault publishes MEO Memories - Part 2

Part Two of the Middle-earth Online interview. Read it - HERE.

06/11/07

RPG Vault publishes MEO Memories - Part 1

Now that Lord of the Rings finally has a sucessful commercial product in the MMO spcae, five key members of the original Middle-earth Online development team share their memories of how it all started, including composer Chance Thomas who stuck around for the entire ride. Check it out - HERE.

06/05/07

Chance Thomas featured in "BEST OF THE BEST: A TRIBUTE TO GAME MUSIC"

Game Music Central has announced the release of "Best of the Best: A Tribute to Game Music", the world’s first compilation CD featuring music inspired by some of the greatest games ever made. Game Music Central is the hot new site where you can sample excerpts from the CD, preview pictures from the 6 page CD booklet, learn all about the 20 featured composers, and interact with the composers in the live forums. Check it out and get your copy - HERE.

06/04/07

"Sleeper" gets HUGE score

Chance Thomas has scored the supernatural short film thriller "Sleeper" for Aftershock Studios. Directed by Matthew Sconce and Mark Aro, the short has a page on the DVX User's Group SpyFest forum where you can check out all the behind the scenes happenings - HERE.

05/23/07

IGN Music interviews Chance Thomas

IGN Music has published an exclusive new interview with HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas. The interview focuses primarily on the creation and production of music for the recently released, Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. Check it out - HERE.

05/16/07

Comedy Central's Daily Show gets HUGE music

Music from HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas was recently broadcast on Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

05/09/07

Chance Thomas interview on Game Daily Biz

Chance Thomas speaks out on LOTRO, Tolkien, MMO's, game music composers, G.A.N.G., and the state of music in videogames today in this exclusive Game Daily Biz interview. Read it - HERE.

05/04/07

LOTRO racks up HUGE reviews

Early media reviews for Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar are fantastic. USA TODAY, Variety, the New York Times, IGN, Forbes, GameSpy, the list goes ever on and on. "One game to rule them all..." "A must play for anyone with an interest in Tolkien..." "You had me at 'Hobbit'..." "The music track is outstanding..." Congratulations to everyone on the team for bringing this epic to life so successfully.

04/24/07

HUGE release for Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar

Today, Midway Games announced the long-awaited release of Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, the world's first massively multiplayer online game based on JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas composed and conducted the live orchestral and choral score for the game.

The orchestra and choir were recorded and mixed at LA East Studios in Salt Lake City, UT. Concert Master was Lenny Browse. Chief engineer was Glen Neibur. Hundreds of additional vocal and live instrumental overlay tracks (Hammer Dulcimer, Penny Whistle, Highland Pipes, Pedal Harp, Fiddle, Bass Flute, English Horn) and small acoustic ensembles were recorded at Lakeview Audio in Orem, UT. Chief engineer was Steve Lerud. All live sessions were produced by Chance Thomas. Additional tracking, mixing and editing were completed at HUGEsound near Yosemite, California.

Several composers contributed to the scoring of this title, including Turbine Entertainment's lead composer Stephen Di Gregorio, Turbine's audio director Geoff Scott and freelancer Brad Spear. Stephen composed the large majority of sample-based music tracks used throughout the game. Stephen and Geoff designed and executed the game's super-cool, player-based music creation system. Geoff played and recorded a number of ancient and contemporary fretted and percussive instruments for the score, and presided over all aspects of the audio team's efforts. Brad contributed some of the dramatic battle music in the game.

Check out some of Chance's LOTRO music: HERE

04/18/07

7th Annual HUGEsound Half-Dome Conquest

Announcing the 7th Annual HUGEsound Half-Dome Conquest. This year's climb is set for Friday, June 15, 2007 in Yosemite National Park, California. The Half-Dome Conquest is open to anyone in robust physical condition. Our approach to the top of Half-Dome's nearly 9,000 foot summit will ascend from its sloping East side using cables and cross beams installed by the National Park Service. It is not a technical climb and requires no special training. We provide transportation to the park and have secured a discounted rate for local accomodations.

"It's better than getting a sports car," quipped Ubisoft Entertainment's Simon Pressey of Montreal, one of the intrepid adventurers braving last year's climb. Participants climb past beautiful Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, follow the path of the Merced River, and ramble through miles of giant high Sierra timber en route to the base of the mountain. Foot distance covered is approx. 16 miles round trip. The National Park officially lists this as a "very strenuous hike" and should only be attempted by those in good physical condition. Those wishing to participate can send an email request for more information to: info@HUGEsound.com. Please type "Half-Dome" in the subject heading.

03/06/07

Quest for Glory V soundtrack available now

Digital download and CD versions (with the original liner notes and artwork). Download the soundtrack from iTunes, Napster, Liquid Audio, Listen/ Rhapsody, MusicNet or Sony Connect. If you prefer the CD, send us an email with the subject heading "QFGV" and we'll fill you in on the details.

02/24/07

Universal Music to release Quest for Glory V soundtrack

Universal Music is releasing Chance Thomas' classic score from Quest for Glory V on March 6, 2007. The soundtrack will be available for digital download from iTunes. CD's with the original art booklet and liner notes will also be available from HUGEsound. To hear excerpts from the score, browse through our online music player (click "Music" below), or visit our page on MySpace and select the third track.

02/12/07

Amazing Grace snags HUGE nomination

HUGEsound's production of the classic gospel song, "Amazing Grace" - part of the Left Behind: Eternal Forces soundtrack - has been voted a FINALIST in the 5th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards. Gospel legend Tata Vega delivered a stirring and powerful vocal performance, while Chance Thomas provided the underlying orchestral arrangement and produced the sessions. The song was recorded at HUGEsound near Yosemite, CA and at Atlantis Recording in Santa Monica, CA by engineers John Rodd and Chance Thomas. Thomas mixed the final tracks at HUGEsound.

02/06/07

Chance Thomas to speak at San Francisco conference

Chance Thomas has been selected as a speaker for the 2007 Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. In a very special session of the conference, aspiring composers will have the opportunity to play samples of their music and solicit live feedback from Thomas and 3-4 other top game audio veterans. GDC will be held March 7-9 at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, CA.

02/01/07

Fresno Magazine runs HUGE spotlight

The February issue of central California's Fresno Magazine features a career spotlight on HUGEsound composer Chance Thomas. One of the more interesting quotes in the article harks back to Thomas' pioneering work as the first game audio professional to score an Oscar-winning film. He says, "I remember sitting in Graumann's Chinese Theater for opening night. The theater was packed with people, the venue was cavernous, the sound system was amazing... and suddenly there was the music I had written and produced with [the credit] 'Music by Chance Thomas' filling a quarter of the screen. Because of the historical setting and my emotional response to it, at that moment I felt like I had finally broken through as a professional composer."

01/25/07

Top secret new music projects

The entertainment business can takes itself a little too seriously sometimes. We're working on some terrific new titles, but because of legally binding Non-Disclosure Agreements, we are prohibited from announcing any details. Suffice it to say, we're currently cranking the tunes for some cool sports and comic-based projects. Can't wait to tell you more about them. But then of course, we'll have to kill you.

VIEW ARCHIVED NEWS - HERE