Ian Fraser RIP

Ian Fraser (23 August 1933 – 31 October 2014) was an English composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, and music director. He was the recipient of eleven Emmy Award out of 32 total nominations, making him the most-honored musician in television history. His first 23 Emmy nominations, received between 1977 and 1999, were consecutive, which is the longest run of individual nominations in the history of the Television Academy. He also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as conductor and music supervisor of the 1970 musical film Scrooge.

He was known for his long association with actress and singer Julie Andrews, having worked with her on The Julie Andrews Hour, five television specials, Broadway's Victor/Victoria, the 45th Tony Awards, and several albums, including two Christmas albums and two Grammy Award-nominated Broadway albums. His other career highlights include serving as musical director for the 36th, 45th and 54th Primetime Emmy Awards and the 56th Academy Awards, six entries in the AFI 100 Years... series of specials, and at least 15 of the Christmas in Washington TV specials between 1984 and 2012. He was also musical director of Bing Crosby's last Christmas special, 1977's Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, making him the last person to conduct the holiday classic "White Christmas" for Crosby. He also co-wrote the song "Peace on Earth" as a counterpoint to "The Little Drummer Boy" for David Bowie to sing during a famed duet with Crosby.
Fraser died of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, on October 31, 2014. He was 81.