The Enduring Legacy of Georges Delerue and the Berklee Scholarship
The path to a successful career often seems linear: education followed by professional application. However, for many aspiring artists, the journey is a dynamic blend of learning and doing. The Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship at Berklee College of Music embodies this philosophy, recognizing and supporting exceptional talent poised to make significant contributions to the world of film scoring. This article explores the significance of the scholarship, the legacy of Georges Delerue, and the impact it has on the lives of its recipients, exemplified by the accomplishments of alumni like Pedro Osuna and Nicolás Urricelqui, and recent honorees like Iris Gould.
Georges Delerue: A Legacy of Warmth and Passion
Georges Delerue (1925-1992) was a highly acclaimed French composer renowned for his prolific work in film, television, and theater. He composed over 200 scores for a wide range of films, including works by François Truffaut, Alain Resnais, and Bernardo Bertolucci. Delerue's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and emotional depth, often described as possessing an inherent warmth and passion. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including an Oscar for Best Original Score for the film "A Little Romance" (1979). The Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship was established in his name to honor his legacy and support talented young composers who demonstrate similar qualities in their own work. It is the Screen Scoring Department’s highest honor at Berklee.
The Berklee Screen Scoring Program: A Hub for Emerging Talent
Berklee College of Music's Screen Scoring program is a leading institution for aspiring film and media composers. The program provides students with a comprehensive education in music composition, orchestration, arranging, and film scoring techniques. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with filmmakers, work on real-world projects, and develop their unique voice as composers. The program's faculty comprises experienced professionals who provide mentorship and guidance to students as they prepare for careers in the film and television industries.
The Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship: Recognizing and Supporting Excellence
The Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship is a prestigious award granted to a top-performing student in the Berklee Screen Scoring program. The scholarship recognizes students of extraordinary talent whose writing displays the inherent warmth and passion heard throughout the music of Oscar-Winning George Delerue. It provides financial assistance to help students pursue their studies and launch their careers. The scholarship is a testament to Berklee's commitment to supporting emerging talent and fostering the next generation of film composers.
Pedro Osuna: A Career Forged in Education and Experience
Pedro Osuna '19, a film scoring alumnus of Berklee, exemplifies the dynamic interplay between education and experience. A native of Granada, Spain, Osuna began working with film composers at the age of 16 and orchestrated his first documentary at 17. At Berklee, he continued to work on films and concert music, gaining invaluable experience while pursuing his studies. Osuna's talent and dedication earned him an internship in Los Angeles with film composer Lucas Vidal B.M. '07 (Fast & Furious 6, ESPN's 2016 Olympic theme).
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One of the major challenges Osuna faced was the high cost of living in Los Angeles, which threatened to derail his internship opportunity. Fortunately, a Berklee fellowship through the Career Center provided crucial financial support, enabling him to accept the internship. This experience proved to be a turning point in Osuna's career, as his work with Vidal led to job offers from around the world. Osuna's story demonstrates how the Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship and other forms of financial aid can make a significant difference in the lives of aspiring composers, opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Nicolás Urricelqui: Blending Electronic Soundscapes with Cinematic Orchestral Writing
Nicolás Urricelqui is an award-winning composer from Buenos Aires, Argentina, known for his forward-thinking approach that blends electronic soundscapes and cutting-edge design with cinematic orchestral writing. As he completes his studies at the esteemed Berklee College of Music, he is on track to graduate summa cum laude. In 2025, Nicolás received the Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship, the Screen Scoring Department’s highest honor at Berklee.
Nicolás’s musical journey began with a deep curiosity for the electronic music scene at a young age, and he has been composing ever since. At the same time, he trained in classical piano under Argentine pianist Daniel Elia, a disciple of the renowned Vincenzo Scaramuzza. As an electronic music producer, he explored various genres before gradually shaping a sound that merges cinematic storytelling with modern production. In 2019, he launched his artistic project MUNSE, working with international labels to conceptualize, produce, and release several EPs.
At the heart of all his creative work lies a deep connection to visual storytelling. His passion for film and games led him naturally toward composing for media. In 2022, he released Lament of a Goddess, one of his earliest works incorporating orchestral textures, featuring the orchestral piece “Zelena” as its closing track. That same year, Nicolás began formal studies at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Film and Interactive Media Scoring. There, he collaborated with top-tier musicians and instrumentalists to bring his compositions to life. With a strong focus on orchestration, he was selected for Berklee’s Advanced Orchestration class, which admits only 6 students out of 300 each year.
Nicolás Urricelqui's awards include:
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DAEDALUS (2024) - Dir. Katerina Munis
- Best Original Score, Winner - Bucharest Film Awards (2024)
- Best original Score of the Year, Nomination - Indie Film Awards (2024)
Call For Scores (2023) - Top 25 (top 4%) with “Dancing Snowflakes” The European Recording Orchestra / Film Scoring Academy of Europe
Young Talent Award (2021) Krakow Film Music Festival - Third Place
Joe Harnell Award (2021)USC Thornton School of Music, Screen Scoring Master’s Program
Georges Delerue Memorial Scholarship Award (2020)Highest Scholarship offered by the Film Scoring department of Berklee College of Music to a senior student of extraordinary talent whose writing displays the inherent warmth and passion heard throughout the music of Oscar-Winning George Delerue.
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Commencement Processional Composition Winner (2020)Berklee College of Music
Division Achievement Award (2020)Berklee College of Music
Fellowship Award (2019)Berklee College of Music
Achievement Scholarship (2016-2020)Berklee College of Music
His composer credits include:
- STITCHED (2026)Dir. Zach Goodwin, Feature Film, Drama Limited Theatrical Release 2026
- CHASING ETERNITY (2024)Dir. Basil Schneeberger, Branded Documentary for J.C. Biver Watches
- SHADOW DANCING (2024)Dir. Gabriella Diaz, Short Film, Romance / Drama
- INTO THE FIRE: THE LOST DAUGHTER, Part I & II (2024, Netflix)Dir. Ryan White, Prod. Charlize Theron, Jessica Hargrave Documentary / Crime, Additional Music
- AMOS BRIDE (2023)Dir. Yukako Fujimori, Short Film, Horror
- ESTELLE (2023)Dir. Jeffrey White, Short Film (20min), ComedyCreated by the Academy Gold Production Track, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- DAEDALUS (2023)Dir. Katerina Munis, Short Film (20min), Drama / FantasyFounded by Fox Productions & Women in Film
- ANHELO (2023)Dir. Isabel Spooner Martinez, Short Film, Drama
- YOU - season 4 (additional Music, Netflix, TBR 2023)
- ALL AMERICAN - season 5 (Additional Music, Netflix & CW, 2022-present)
- ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING - season 2 (Additional Music, Netflix & CW, 2022 -present)
- RIVERDALE - season 7 (Additional Music, Netflix & CW, 2023)
- I SHALL PROTECT (2022)Dir. Angelo Pitsilis, Short Film (2022), Drama
- METANOIA OF A RELEVE (2022)Dir. Andrea F. Chávez, Short Film, Ballett
- ADSPICIO (2022)Dir. Ana Sierra, Short Film, Drama
- GOODNIGHT MUKESH (2022 / post-production)Dir. Devvrat Mishra, Feature Film, Drama
- HAPPY VEGGIE CO. (2022)Dir. Holly Cook, Short Film, Absurdist Comedy
- WEIGHT (2022)Dir. Jairus Williams, Short Animation, DramaSouth Shore Film Festival 2022 WINNER | OFFICIAL SELECTIONS: 2022 Catalina Film Festival, Animart Festival 2022, The Paus Premieres Festival 2022, Lift-off Global Network Sessions 2021, 2D &3D Animation Film Festival 2022
- PROCRASTINATION (2022)Dir. Zizhong Jiang, Short Film, Comedy
- AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN (2022)Dir. Aaron Paris, Short Animation
- LANE TWO (2022)Dir. Matthew Sliger, Short Film, Drama / Comedy
- HOMO VERUM (2022) Dir. Renato Ribeiro, Elit Pictures, Short Film (30min)
- ANOTHER DAY IN THE WEST (2021) Dir. Matthew Sliger, Short Film, Comedy
- GLANCING AROUND (2021) Dir. Zizhong Jiang, Short Film, Drama
- DINO (2021) Dir. Armando Sepulveda Mendoza, Short Animation
- CLUB BEIGE (2021) Dir. Alysha Menakaya, Short Film, ComedyABFF Comedy Festival 2021 Winner
- MISSING INGREDIENT (2021) Dir. Saleen Lee, Short Film, Comedy
- ORIGINS (2021)Dir. Tynae Miller, Short Film, Drama
- HEART OR MIND (2021) Dir. Alessia Crutielli, Short Film, Composer / Songwriter
- NICEVILLE (aka COMET) (2021) Dir. Briana Nieves, Short FilmOFFICIAL SELECTIONS:CAAM FEST 2021, CineAsian Films 2021, The Lift-Off Session 2021, Montreal Independent Film Festival 2021, Venice Shorts 2021
- POST MORTEM (2021) Dir. Joon Cho, Short Film, DramaAWARDS:Gulf Coast Film And Video FestivalL: Finalist, Lake Short Film Festival: Quarter Finalist
- MAIDS OF HONOR (2021)Dir. Sharnica Evans, Short Film, ComedyWill premier on Hooked “Apple’s Top 10 in Entertainment…reaching 100 million viewers worldwide”
- LAST STOP (2021, post production) Dir. Shelby Chan, Short Film, Animation
- CLIMATE STRANGE (2021)Dir. Derin Kiyak, Short Film, Comedy
- MY COUNTRY (aka MERA WATTAN) (2020) Dir. Kavi Raz, Feature Film
- STROKE (2020) Dir. Ruhi Mansey, Short Film, Drama
- SISTERS (2020) Dir. Victoria Wang, Short Film, Comedy
- KITE (2020) Dir. Yumeng He, Short Film, DocumentaryWatch HereAWARDS:KIMFF Winner - 2nd Best Short Documentary, Spotlight Documentary Film Awards- Winner, Festigious LA Monthly Film Competition - Winner, LAFA - Winner, AFF - Official Selection, Rome Independent Prisma Awards, Independent Shorts Awards
- OFF BEAT (2020) Dir. Derin Kiyak, Short FilmAWARDS: San Diego International Film Festival - Official Selection, Pasadena International Film Festival - Official Selection, LA Redstones Film Festival - Best Picture & Best Screenplay, Independent Shorts Awards - Best Film & Best Director, New York Movie Awards, Dances with Films - Official Selection, In The Palace Film Festival - Official Selection
- WHITE DONKEY, NATASHA AND I (2020)Dir. Donggyun Han, Short Film
- WALDPORT (2020) Developed by Sterling Rios & Kobitha Saha, Video GameDownload Game Here
- MY LITTLE ROCKET (2019) Developed by Connor Yeah & Yue Zhu, Video Game
- NUMBER TWO (2019)Dir. Devvrat Mishra, Short Film (Streaming on Movie Saints)AWARDS: Winner of CIFFIndependent Film Festival Boston (2019)BLOW-UP International Arthouse Film Fest Chicago - Official Selection
- STAY POSITIVE (2018) Dir. Gabrielle Michel, Short Film
Additional credits include:
- THE GIRLS ON THE BUS (2023)TV Series (Netflix), Orchestrator
- The 40th Annual EVVY Awards (2021) Songwriter “largest student-run, multi-camera, live award show in the nation, judged by industry professionals”
- BC GANGS (2021) - Dir. Kavi RazTV Series (7 episodes), Sound Designer
- Nightingale (2021) - Dir. Gowtham NamasivayamFeature Film, Sound Designer
- MERRA WATTAN (2020) - Dir. Kavi RazFeature Film, Sound Designer
- LOVE LETTER (2020) - Dir. Veronica BadellShort Film, Mixing Engineer
- WALDPORT (2020) - Dev.
Iris Gould: Championing Women in Film Music
Iris Gould is a composer and conductor based in Los Angeles who specializes in writing for orchestra, solo piano, and string arrangements for multi-media. Iris graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Film and Media Scoring and a minor in Conducting. During her time at Berklee, she served as the president of the Women's Film Initiative (2023-2024), a student-led group dedicated to creating opportunities and a network for women who compose for media. In Fall 2023, she was honored with the George Delerue Memorial Scholarship - a prestigious award granted to a top-performing student in the Berklee Screen Scoring program. Iris currently works as a Freelance Composer for Bleeding Fingers Music, while doing independent freelancing for original music, orchestration, and assistant work. Her most recent works include original music for the short "A Girl Alone," a collaboration with seniors in Columbia's Film program.
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