…and the Emmy goes to DAVE PIERCE for his Outstanding Music Direction on the 2010 Olympics. Dave was nominated alongside musical heroes Marc Shaiman and fellow Canadian David Foster.

Dave joined legendary mega-event producer David Atkins Enterprises as Composer and Music Director of the 12th Arab Games Opening Ceremony in Doha, Qatar. The 2 hour spectacle was attended by a full stadium as well as a television audience of millions. Pierce’s score featured authentic Arabic instruments, a 90 piece orchestra, rhythm section and 66 person chorus. Dave had the pleasure of working in studio and live with Arabic celebrity singers Asala Nasri, Fahad Al Kubaisi and Ehab Tawfik.

Internationally renowned singer Michael Bublé gives a glimpse into the studio recording session for his new album. Dave conducted his arrangements live-off-the-floor featuring strings, a big band, rhythm section, background singers and none other than Michael’s live vocals. This technique of all-at-once live recording is seldom attempted these days, and the energy of sessions evident.

Dave’s string arrangement for the song “Faith” is featured on the newest release from Canadian hip-hop artist K-OS, and features megastar artist Drake. This production marks a reunion for Dave and K-OS, who first collaborated on a special hip-hop number for the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Michael Bublé’s album entitled “Christmas” has been awarded the Juno Award’s top honour for 2012 Album of the Year. Dave Pierce arranged and conducted 3 of the tracks on the album: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, “Blue Christmas”, and “Cold December Night” (co-arranged with songwriters Alan Chang and Bob Rock).

Dave’s musical orchestrations will be featured in “Come Fly Away” opening the 2011-2012 Season at the Pantages.

“Come Fly Away” follows four couples as they fall in and out of love during one song and dance filled evening at a crowded nightclub. Blending the legendary vocals of Frank Sinatra with a live on-stage big band and 15 of the world’s finest dancers, “Come Fly Away” weaves an unparalleled hit parade of classics, including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way,” and “That’s Life,” into a soaring musical fantasy of romance and seduction. The show’s score combines classic and newly discovered vocal performances from the Sinatra archives along with signature arrangements (Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones) as well as brand new charts for this fresh innovative musical.

Dave’s orchestration and musical adaptation of Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” was presented on So You Think You Can Dance. Cast members from Broadway’s hit show “Come Fly Away” (orchestrations by Dave Pierce) presented the show’s highlight production number.

Dave Pierce was the Music Director for the 846th Annual Federal City Day in Moscow, Russia. The production featured the largest 3D video-mapping show ever attempted. Celebrating Alfa Bank’s 20th anniversary and Moscow’s 864th birthday the show set a Guinness World Record by integrating unique 4D elements.  Live performance (Russian opera diva Anna Polovinkina sang an arrangement by Dave Pierce and Waren Tse), scenic and special effects into the 3D video mapping, and set a new benchmark in live event performance.  The 30-minute show—created and directed by David Atkins, CEO of DAE—was watched live by 300,000 people, and culminated in a square-wide celebration with musical group B2.

Dave composed the strings for Jumaane Smith’s upcoming album at Capitol Records.
Watch the exclusive behind the scenes footage of his scoring session below.

Dave reunited with the classic talents of  “Ole Blue Eyes” to bring SINATRA Dance With Me to Wynn Las Vegas. Dave lent his music arranging and supervising talents to the new 80-minute show, along with the creative team from Twyla Tharp’s celebrated Broadway hit Come Fly With Me.

SINATRA Dance With Me follows four couples who fall in and out of love in a music-filled nightclub. Conceived, choreographed and directed by Tharp, 14 dancers express Sinatra’s music via recorded masters (by special arrangement with Frank Sinatra Enterprises and The Sinatra Family) backed by a 17-piece on-stage big band. In addition to the beloved classic standards, Dave added his original orchestrations to the show.   For ticket information click HERE.

Dave was the Music Director and Composer of the recent 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Here is a highlight reel from the making of the Opening Ceremonies.

Come Fly Away, the new Twyla Tharp dance musical set to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, has on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in the heart of Times Square (NYC). With the blessing of Frank Sinatra Enterprises and the Sinatra family, Come Fly Away features original masters of Sinatra’s voice, which are backed by a live on-stage band. The show includes original arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Quincy Jones, as well as newly created arrangements for the production by Dave Pierce. Come Fly Away blends the legendary vocals of Frank Sinatra with a live on stage 19-piece big band and 15 of the world’s finest dancers, Come Fly Away weaves an unparalleled hit parade of classics, including ‘Fly Me To The Moon,’ ‘My Way’ and ‘That’s Life’ into a soaring musical fantasy of romance and seduction.

Dave is the Music Director for the Ceremonies of The 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The creative team will be orchestrating the magic of the Opening, Closing and nightly Victory Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Under the leadership of executive producer David Atkins, the team is composed of the industry’s top talents. Visit Vancouver 2010 for more information. Opening Ceremony for the XXI Olympic Winter Games is February 12, 2010.

Dave’s inspired story of Olympic dreams is captured on CTV’s Believe Series of vignettes promoting the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Hosted by legendary television news personality Darryl Janz, the spot focusses on Dave’s 22 year journey to become the Music Director of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The never before released Medals music Dave composed for 2010 Vancouver has finally been released on iTunes. The suite features the bronze, silver and gold medals themes in a full continuous symphonic recording, produced and conducted by Pierce shortly after the Games occured. Included in this new arrangement is the transition music from that broadcasters used to transition from the Whistler to Vancouver Medals Ceremonies, and a full mix of the music without the broadcaster’s commentary edits that were implemented during the Games. If you are amongst the many people who sent email messages looking for this music, this version on iTunes is the only place you will hear this music! Click for iTunes.