WICKED: FOR GOOD, STRANGER THINGS Win 2026 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards
PALM ROYALE, STAR WARS OUTLAWS among winners honored at ASCAP Screen Celebrates in Los Angeles
ASCAP has announced the winners of the 2026 Screen Music Awards, including the Composers’ Choice Awards honoring music in film, television, documentaries, and video games.
SEO blurb: ASCAP has announced the winners of its 2026 Screen Music Awards and Composers’ Choice Awards. Honorees include composers behind major film, television, and video game projects. The awards recognize achievements in screen music across multiple categories.
The ASCAP Screen Music Awards recognize composers whose work contributes to visual storytelling across media. The Composers’ Choice Awards are selected by ASCAP’s community of composers and songwriters.
2026 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Award Winners
Film Score of the Year was awarded to Wicked: For Good, composed by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz.
Television Score of the Year went to Palm Royale, composed by Jeff Toyne.
Television Theme of the Year resulted in a tie between Pluribus, composed by Dave Porter, and Stranger Things, composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.
Documentary Film Score of the Year was awarded to The Age of Disclosure, composed by Blair Mowat.
Documentary Series Score of the Year went to Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, composed by Amanda Jones.
Video Game Score of the Year was awarded to Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune, composed by Wilbert Roget II, Jon Everist, and Cody Matthew Johnson.
In additional categories, Michael Giacchino received Top Domestic Box Office Film of the Year for Zootopia 2. Jake Staley earned Top Network Television Series for High Potential, while John Sereda received Top Cable Television Series for When Calls the Heart. David Vanacore was recognized as the top winner in the Most Performed Themes & Underscore category.
Vanacore’s recognition marks his 22nd consecutive win in the category and his 11th time as the top overall winner. During the ceremony, he was also presented with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award, recognizing his career achievements in television music. Vanacore has composed music for the long-running series Survivor since its debut in 2000, with 2026 marking its 50th season.
The Golden Note Award honors artists who have reached significant career milestones. Previous recipients include Lionel Richie, Jeff Lynne, Quincy Jones, Jermaine Dupri, Reba McEntire, Alicia Keys, and composers Alf Clausen and Mark Snow.
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