Bear McCreary, the maestro behind iconic film scores, is taking his music on tour in a way that promises to be an unforgettable experience. From blockbuster movies to video games and TV series, his work has shaped the sound of entertainment.
Bear McCreary: The Composer Shaping the Sound of Entertainment
From blockbuster movies to video games, TV series, and concept albums, Bear McCreary is everywhere. Now he’s taking his music on tour.
Bear McCreary is a renowned American composer, best known for his work on television series such as 'Battlestar Galactica', 'The Walking Dead', and 'Outlander'.
Born in 1979, McCreary began composing music at a young age.
He studied composition at the University of Southern California and later worked with prominent composers like Hans Zimmer.
McCreary's unique style blends electronic and organic elements, creating immersive soundscapes for film and television.
His work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and nominations.
Composing for a Living
Bear McCreary is a household name in the world of soundtracks. His work can be heard in films like ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’, as well as video games like ‘God of War‘ and TV series such as ‘Outlander‘ and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’. But what drives this talented composer to create music for so many different mediums?
A Fan First
Bear McCreary‘s approach to his craft is refreshingly straightforward. ‘I’m just a fan of all these things that I’m working on,‘ he says. For him, composing is not about creating complex scores or pushing boundaries, but rather about sharing his passion with others.
The Evolution of Film Scoring
Over the years, Bear McCreary has witnessed significant changes in the way film scores are composed. In the past, composers would often work alone, relying on their own skills and creativity to bring a score to life. Today, however, the industry is more collaborative, with many composers working as part of teams.
The Benefits of Teamwork
While some critics argue that this shift towards teamwork has compromised the quality of film music, Bear McCreary sees it as an opportunity for growth. ‘No single human being can rewrite an entire score overnight,‘ he notes. ‘Having a team is useful because it allows us to work together and bring different perspectives to the table.’

From Solo Artist to Team Player
Bear McCreary‘s own career has taken him from solo artist to team player. After graduating from USC, he began working as an assistant composer on several projects, including the re-imagining of ‘Battlestar Galactica‘.
A Newfound Passion for Metal Music
In 2019, Bear McCreary found himself at a crossroads in his career. Despite achieving great success, he was feeling unfulfilled and restless. It wasn’t until he recorded a metal cover of ‘Blue Oyster Cult‘s ‘Godzilla” that he rediscovered the joy of music-making.
The Birth of The Singularity
This experience sparked an idea – to create an original suite of music that would be fun to play live, using Bear McCreary‘s entire sonic palette. The result was ‘The Singularity’, a concept album that brought together some of his closest musical collaborators, including ‘Serj Tankian‘ and ‘Slash‘.
The Singularity refers to a hypothetical future event when artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human intelligence, leading to exponential technological growth.
This concept was first proposed by mathematician John von Neumann in the 1950s and popularized by futurist Ray Kurzweil.
The Singularity is often associated with significant advancements in fields like robotics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.
While some experts predict a utopian future where technology improves human life, others warn of potential risks such as job displacement and loss of human control.
Taking the Music on Tour
And now, Bear McCreary is taking his music on tour – literally. The Themes & Variations Tour will see him perform music from across his discography, accompanied by an orchestra of traditional and eclectic instruments. For fans who have followed him online, this is a chance to finally experience his music live.
Bear McCreary is a renowned American composer known for his work on various TV and film soundtracks.
His tour, which took place in select cities worldwide, featured live performances of his most iconic scores.
Attendees experienced the immersive experience of watching their favorite shows come to life through music.
The tour included fan favorites from series like 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Outlander', as well as original compositions.
McCreary's live orchestral arrangements brought depth and emotion to the performances, further enhancing the audience's connection to the music.
A Tour for the Ages
The Themes & Variations Tour comes to New York’s Gramercy Theatre on May 22nd. Bear McCreary will be performing music that has been shaped by his passion for all things creative – from epic metal to traditional classical and Celtic folk. It promises to be an unforgettable experience, one that will leave fans in awe of this talented composer’s boundless creativity and enthusiasm.