Skywalker Ranch Origins for an Inaugural Composition Contest

Nearly forty years ago, the musicians of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra crossed the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and headed into the rugged Pacific coastlines and protected landscapes of Marin County, California. Violinists, clarinetists, cellists, percussionists — the full orchestra — gathered at Skywalker Sound, the legendary audio post-production division of Lucasfilm, nestled within the scenic Skywalker Ranch. A world-class facility celebrated for its state-of-the-art technology, Skywalker Sound is where the soundtracks for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park were all brought to life.

But on that day in 1988, the orchestra’s musicians were there to make history of their own: they were about to create the first orchestral recording ever made at Skywalker Sound. They wanted it to be one for the ages — and so they chose one of the most iconic and beloved works in their repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. San Francisco Ballet had earned a cherished place in history by presenting the first full-length production of the Nutcracker in the United States back in 1944, and that legacy ran deep. This was, in every meaningful sense, their piece.

The recording was the brainchild of Donald O’Brien, then principal clarinetist with the orchestra and a 30-year veteran of the ensemble, who served as executive producer. In a wonderfully grassroots spirit, each musician contributed $75 to bring the project to life — a small investment that went on to generate royalties year after year.

Now, those humble origins are paying it forward in a remarkable way.

In a milestone moment for both the Orchestra and the broader music community, the Grammy Award-winning SF Ballet Orchestra has launched its inaugural Legacy Orchestral Composition Contest. The musicians are donating their annual royalties from the landmark 1988 recording to fund a $7,500 prize awarded each year to a winning composer. It is a gesture of profound generosity — seasoned artists investing directly in the futures of those just beginning their journey.

The Contest is an annual competition born from a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of orchestral voices. Designed to provide emerging composers with meaningful, career-advancing recognition, it reflects SF Ballet’s enduring mission to commission and champion new works that push the art form forward.

This year, submissions from three finalists were performed live by the SF Ballet Orchestra at the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall, in partnership with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, on February 26. The finalists represented a rich diversity of backgrounds, influences, and creative perspectives.

Bobby Ge (Violin Concerto, movements 2: Ballon and 3: Coda/Soutenu) is an American-born, Shanghai-raised composer and media artist whose work explores themes of communication, home, and hybridity. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Princeton University, and holds advanced degrees from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Simon Rivet (Ellipse of a Cry) is an emerging composer from Montreal, Quebec, whose path from classical guitarist to concert, film, and dance composer has been guided by a singular artistic philosophy — music as an invitation to stillness, contemplation, and a deeper connection with one’s quieter self.

Sheridan Seyfried (Subtle Electronic Fire) brings a melodic, accessible sensibility rooted in classical tradition and enriched by New Age, Celtic, and folk influences. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, he is also active as a church music director and educator near Philadelphia.

The winner was selected by a jury of SF Ballet Orchestra musicians. Beyond the prize itself, the winning composer will have their work performed live by the Orchestra — an opportunity that represents far more than a performance credit. It is an introduction to new audiences, a validation of artistic vision, and a launchpad for what comes next.

After an evening of stunning performances, the jury selected Bobby Ge as the inaugural winner of the Legacy Orchestral Composition Contest.

A legacy that began with seventy-five dollars and a dream is now shaping the future of orchestral music — and Bobby Ge is just the beginning.