Peter Matz

Peter Matz distinguished himself as one of the foremost musical director/arranger/composers in every medium of entertainment. He was honored with three Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, two Tony Award nominations, a Clio Award, and an Academy Award nomination. His original scores for countless feature films and television movies also earned him additional awards, nominations and critical acclaim.

As a musical director, he arranged and conducted for such legendary superstars as Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich, Barbra Streisand, Bernadette Peters, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minnelli, Diahann Carroll, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Dionne Warwick, Samuel Ramey, Kiri Tekanawa, Melissa Manchester, and Carol Burnett.

Peter frequently taught seminars and served on the faculty of the USC School of Music. He and his wife, singer Marilynn Lovell, also wrote and performed a series of benefit concerts around the country which raised several hundred thousand dollars to provide home health care for people with AIDS.

When the SCL was founded in 1983, Peter was one of the principal members of the Organizing Committee. His total commitment to the group, particularly the younger members, exemplifies the kind of generous human being he was. He died in August 2002.