Pixar has released the details for the monstrously fun music that will be part of this summer’s Monsters University. From the music that we’ll hear when seeing the film, to the film’s official original soundtrack album, to the music that will be included in the attached short The Blue Umbrella, it sounds like the film will definitely be a feast for the ears along with the eyes and funny bone.
“MONSTROUS MUSIC” FOR THE FILM
Award-winning composer and Pixar favorite Randy Newman has written the film’s score (it’s his seventh film for Pixar). Newman added a unique collegiate flair to the film’s music by using the renowned international drum corps The Blue Devils on many tracks. He also incorporated concert band music to add to the feeling of being in school.
Newman said:
“There’s a little bit of Brahms’ ‘Academic Festival Overture’ when Mike is riding the pig. I like to think Brahms would be extremely flattered by his inclusion in the score.”
The film’s score was recorded with a 112-piece orchestra. Animators from Pixar Canada also added their voices to the soundtrack as the group of crazy MU students screaming/singing the school song.
Also included in the film is “Roar” by Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia fame (which can also be heard on the film’s teaser trailer). The song “Island” from heavy metal band Mastodon is also featured in the film which shows off “an unexpected monstrous side for one of our great new characters,” according to the film’s director Dan Scanlon.
In talking about the film’s music, Scanlon said:
“We wanted to capture the college feel in ‘Monsters University,’” said Scanlon, “and music is a big part of that. The score and the inclusion of other great musicians like Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso [of Swedish House Mafia] and Mastodon help us convey a fun, freewheeling college atmosphere.”
OFFICIAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK TRACK LISTING
The Monsters University Official Motion Picture Soundtrack has 20 tracks of goodness:
1. Main Title – Score
2. Young Michael – Score
3. First Day at MU – Score
4. Dean Hardscrabble – Score
5. Sulley – Score
6. Scare Pig – Score
7. Wasted Potential – Score
8. Oozma Kappa – Score
9. Stinging Glow Urchin – Score
10. Field Trip – Score
11. Rise and Shine – Score
12. The Library – Score
13. Roar – Performed by Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia
14. The Scare Games – Score
15. Did You Do This? – Score
16. Human World – Score
17. The Big Scare – Score
18. Goodbyes – Score
19. Mike and Sulley – Score
20. Monsters University
The soundtrack is available for pre-order at Amazon.com and will be released on June 18, four days before the U.S. premiere of Monsters University on June 21 (not that we’re counting or anything).
MUSIC INCLUDED IN ‘THE BLUE UMBRELLA’ SHORT
The Blue Umbrella, the Pixar short that is opening in theaters in front of Monsters University, also has its own original music. When director Saschka Unseld began working on the short, he was listening to music by singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe. “There’s such an intimacy to her sound that touches you right at the core,” Unseld said. “I always thought hers would be the perfect voice to make people care deeply about a love story between two umbrellas.”
The short also features a score by composer Jon Brion, who has scored such films as ParaNorman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Step Brothers, and Punch-Drunk Love, along with Glago’s Guest, the beautiful short film from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Monsters University, along with The Blue Umbrella, opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.
Animation Fascination 
Newman has had very successful run with Pixar! Welcome to the LAMB!
Pingback: Watch/Listen to This: ‘Roar’ Sample Included on Latest ‘Monsters University’ Trailer | Animation Fascination