In a recent press release from ABC and BBC Worldwide Productions, the hit reality television show Dancing With the Stars announced that it will instate Ray Chew as the new music director of the show.
Per earlier news, DWTS stated that after a long run with ex-music director Harold Wheeler and his orchestra, the show would relegate its music to a small, more affordable and easier to manage electronic orchestra.
And, yes, we were pretty pissed about that.
But now, DWTS has revived its resident ensemble with Chew, who will lead live musicians and singers performing both the great standards and revamped pop hits.
For his part, Chew was quoted:
"I'm looking forward to continuing the musical legacy established on Dancing With the Stars, a show that respects live music and musicians. It is important to me and to the producers to maintain the integrity of the music presentation for the dancers as well as for the viewers. Towards that end, my approach will be to utilize first class live vocalists, arrangers, copyists and musicians of all instruments."
Chew served as the music director of the 65th Emmy Awards. He has also been featured on other network TV programs such as American Idol, Showtime at the Apollo as well as President Obama's Inaugural Ball for the Democratic Convention.
More recently, Chew conducted a 63-piece orchestra at Carnegie Hall for a sold-out performance of A Night of Inspiration.
Check out Chew's EPK below. Would you hire him? (I would).
