Susie Bench - ProfilesArchive

About Me

After entertaining a career as an Anesthesiologist, I decided to take another path and pursue my passion for film music. I got a Bachelor's degree in Composition from Franklin and Marshall college, where I wrote my first concert piece entitled "Requiem" in memory of my older brother who constantly pushed me to practice the piano and sing. I wasn't sure if I could pursue music as a career, and so began 5 years of soul searching... I taught music at a boarding school, then taught kindergarten. I received my Masters degree in Studio composition from State University of New York, Purchase. It was there I got my first gig as an orchestrator, working for Joe DeSanctis on the ABC World News Now main themes. University of Southern California's Film scoring program brought me to Los Angeles where I decided I wanted to become an orchestrator for film scores. I am now a composer's assistant for Michael Wandmacher. I have orchestratrated the music on the feature psychological thriller "The Killing Floor" and political documentary "The Man of Two Havanas."

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/9/2006
Band Website: susiebench.com
Band Members: Me, myself, my G5 and MOTU tech support.
Influences: Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, John Powell, James Newton Howard, Chris Beck, Ed Shearmur, John Debney, John Williams - of course, Alan Menken, Alan Silvestri, my boss Michael Wandmacher!
Sounds Like: Orchestral Film score
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Bach doesn't want to be my friend, but Beethoven does!

I am still waiting patiently for J.S. Bach to accept or deny my friend request. I wonder if he's just busy. I was delighted to see that Beethoven accepted my request though! What a nice guy. Perhaps I...
Posted by Susie Bench on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 01:03:00 PST

Johann Sebastian Bach joined Myspace!!!

I know he died in, like 1750, but I friend requested him and I'm hoping and waiting patiently for my reply! I wanna know what he's working on next....
Posted by Susie Bench on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:48:00 PST

To succeed or not to succeed...what is the question?

John Mayer said something on Oprah that spoke to me."Success validates every stupid decision you've ever made in your life." I think anyone in our business can relate to that statement. Instead of get...
Posted by Susie Bench on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:38:00 PST

James Blunt Live

I usually attend orchestral film music concerts or classical works, but last week I decided to check out James Blunt. I bought his album "Back to Bedlam" because of his knee weakening, albeit overplay...
Posted by Susie Bench on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 03:41:00 PST

I'm a musician with no piercings and tattoos!

There are many misconceptions about professional musicians. Just because we work in the creative arts does not mean we are not serious about what we do. When asked what I do for a living, I reply "I'm...
Posted by Susie Bench on Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:27:00 PST

Great quote....

"If you don't do things that make you uncomfortable, you'll never grow."(That was actually Charlie Sheen that said that on the Ellen Degeneres show, but we can pretend it was said by some wise philoso...
Posted by Susie Bench on Thu, 20 Jul 2006 05:36:00 PST

What's an SOB?

Now don't report me to the myspace police. It's not what you think. I've made up a little term: The SOB is The Signature Orchestrator Belly. All orchestrators and composers who use one, nod in agreeme...
Posted by Susie Bench on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 02:13:00 PST

New York vs. Los Angeles - my thoughts

I really believe in the importance of struggling in this biz. Some of the most successful people I know had to live in their cars for months until they got their first break. Struggling builds charact...
Posted by Susie Bench on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 06:28:00 PST