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William Ross

b. 1948

American composer, orchestrator, arranger, conductor and music director

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About William Ross

Born 1948. William Ross is an American composer, film score composer, conductor, musician, bandleader and conducting.

William Ross (born July 20, 1948) is an American composer, orchestrator, arranger, conductor and music director. Ross is the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards (in 2007 and 2009), one Daytime Emmy Award (in 1991), and has been nominated for one Annie Award (in 2008). He has been nominated twice for the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

Ross is the arranger for Andrea Bocelli's version of "Amazing Grace" performed during his concert Andrea Bocelli: Music for Hope - Live From Duomo di Milano, broadcast live on YouTube to over 25 million viewers on April 12, 2020.

Career Ross has worked with artists and musicians ranging from Hollywood composers John Williams, Alan Silvestri, John Powell, Michael Giacchino, Klaus Badelt and Michael Kamen, to pop music artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Laura Pausini, Whitney Houston, Kenny G, Michael Jackson, David Foster, Quincy Jones, Babyface and Sting. He has arranged the music for multiple Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies from 1998 to 2010.

Ross composed the soundtrack for assorted films, including Tuck Everlasting, My Dog Skip, The Young Black Stallion and Ladder 49. He adapted and conducted John Williams' themes for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In 2008, he scored the CGI-film The Tale of Despereaux, from Universal Studios.

Ross is the music director for many shows and artists, including Barbra Streisand's 2006 US tour and 2007 European tour, as well as the 79th, 83rd, 85th and 86th Academy Awards. Ross regularly arranges and conducts the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre, overseeing all music cues throughout the broadcast.

Ross is credited on the soundtrack of Star Wars: The Last Jedi as an additional conductor. His work is featured on the Universal Orlando theme park ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Grammy Awards YearTitleArtistCategoryResult2012"The Windmills of Your Mind"StingBest Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)2000"The Prayer"Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli

International Film Music Critics Association Awards

Online Film & Television Association Awards

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Primetime Emmy Award; Daytime Emmy Award
Also known as
Bill Ross

People in William Ross's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Ross's

Frequently asked questions

Who is William Ross?

American composer, orchestrator, arranger, conductor and music director

When was William Ross born?

William Ross was born on 12 July 1948 in Ventura.

What is William Ross's occupation?

William Ross is a composer, film score composer, conductor, musician, bandleader and conducting.

What nationality is William Ross?

William Ross is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Ross

· Wikidata: Q1895234

· DBpedia: William Ross (composer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Ross. https://biography.guide/william-ross-composer/

MLA: "William Ross." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-ross-composer/.

Chicago: "William Ross." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-ross-composer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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