In a career spanning more than six decades, John Williams has become one of America's most accomplished and successful composers for film and the concert stage. He remains one of our nation's most distinguished and contributive musical voices.

He has composed the music for more than one hundred films, including all nine Star Wars films, the first three Harry Potter films, Schindler's List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Lincoln, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman and the Indiana Jones films.

He served as music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra for fourteen seasons and remains their Laureate Conductor. He has composed numerous works for the concert stage including two symphonies and more than a dozen concertos commissioned by some of America's most prominent orchestras.

He has received five Academy Awards and fifty-four Oscar nominations, seven British Academy Awards, twenty-six Grammys, four Golden Globes, and five Emmys. His other honors include the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, an honorary KBE from Queen Elizabeth II, the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute, Spain's Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, and the Gold Medal from the UK's prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society.

Ever since Home Alone appeared, it has held a unique place in the affections of a very broad public. Director Chris Columbus brought a uniquely fresh and innocent approach to this delightful story, and the film has deservedly become a perennial at Holiday time.

I took great pleasure in composing the score for the film, and I am especially delighted that the magnificent Acadiana Symphony Orchestra has agreed to perform the music in a live presentation of the movie.

I know I speak for everyone connected with the making of the film in saying that we are greatly honored by this event... and I hope that tonight's audience will experience the renewal of joy that the film brings with it, each and every year.