John Williams Honored: North Hollywood High School Dedicates Performing Arts Center to Legendary Composer

LOS ANGELES -- Legendary composer John Williams, one of the most celebrated figures in film music history, was honored Wednesday with a performing arts center named after him at his alma mater, North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles. Williams, who has earned more than 50 Academy Award nominations and five Oscar wins over his career, returned to the campus to help officially open the John Williams Performing Arts Center. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the composer welcomed students into the space and encouraged them to make it their own. "I'm overwhelmed and full of joy because this place, the couple of years I spent here like you are doing have been, for me, formative in my thinking, in my professional work and so on," he said. "This is a great, magical place." The celebration included performances from North Hollywood High's marching band, which played music from "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and the school's symphony orchestra, which performed selections from "Star Wars." Williams watched and praised the students as they showcased his iconic music. The performing arts center is part of an approximately $320 million comprehensive modernization project at North Hollywood High School. School and district leaders said the project blends historic architecture with modern design to better serve students. "All of these other buildings, some have been modernized and some have been redone," said Suzanne Luke. "It's old meets new in a fresh, positive way." "This is a space that's