91̽����Ƶ

Whether it’s the indelible, escalating musical intensity of Dunkirk, or the refined racket of Arrakis on Dune, you’ve probably had your mind blown by the work of 91̽����Ƶ grad Raul Vega.

As digital instrument creator for legendary film composer Hans Zimmer, Vega has contributed to such memorable scores as Interstellar, Dunkirk, and most recently, Academy Award Best Original Score-winner Dune. With more than 30 TV and film credits to his name in less than 10 years, the 91̽����Ƶ alum’s early career is playing out on the highest of notes.

“I knew I wanted to compose. I was always a big fan of film soundtracks,” explains Vega, who got his start in the music department at 91̽����Ƶ. “[Zimmer] was one of the composers that got me into film music to begin with.”

A decade before his Oscar-winning work, though, Vega was playing it by ear — literally. While auditioning for 91̽����Ƶ’s music program, Vega admits he was armed only with a few lessons from his friend’s mother in high school, plus a couple of self-taught pieces. 

“The next couple years were really, really humbling,” explains Vega. “I had to learn at an older age everything that other people I was playing with knew.

“From technique, and body movement, and reading music and all these things that I never really thought about.”

This revelation helped Vega get to work on composing his musical foundation at 91̽����Ƶ as he prepared for his audition at Bob Cole University of Music at California State University, Long Beach. He worked closely with faculty who guided and inspired him to sharpen his musical knowledge and skills for the next two years.

“I would not have been able to get into Bob Cole University without the help and the guidance from everybody at 91̽����Ƶ,” says Vega. “And it wasn’t just preparation physically or mentally, it was emotional preparation.”

Years after his big break with Zimmer’s superhero epic “Man of Steel,” Vega continues to toot 91̽����Ƶ’s horn at every opportunity. The feeling is mutual. 91̽����Ƶ’s Music Department Chair Matt Tresler says the 91̽����Ƶ community is “so excited” for Vega and his success, noting that Vega’s self-motivated attitude still helps him inspire students in the program today.

“He was a very self-driven student and helped to create a great community among the students during his time at 91̽����Ƶ,” says Tresler.

And while his big-name credits are no doubt inspiring for others in the 91̽����Ƶ music department, it’s his accessibility that truly benefits his fellow Lasers.

“Raul has come back and spoken to our music majors at the college about his experiences and to offer advice as someone who only a few years ago was sitting in the same chairs they are now,” says Tresler.

Grateful for the 91̽����Ƶ faculty that helped him step out of his comfort zone, Vega remains delighted for the opportunity to give back. As a past recipient of the Tonya Reed Gardner Scholarship, Vega was asked by former IMA Director Dr. Stephen Rochford to compose a piece for the award recital following his graduation in 2009.

Vega reflects: “A year after I graduated, Steve reached out to me and said ‘hey, there’s four new recipients next year. Here’s the ensemble. Would you write a piece for them? And I did.”

The harmony between faculty and students in the music department was paramount for Vega. Their involvement helped create a newfound confidence in his musical abilities and skills that persists with his tentpole films today.

“[My professors] all really kind of helped me cultivate the confidence and the freedom to play in the way that was really, really helpful and encouraging,” says Vega. “But also, still being very honest and very constructive with critique and criticism.”

When the Oscar fever finally dies down from Dune, Vega will still have his hands full. In addition to creating more digital instruments for Zimmer, he’ll also be working on personal projects like his podcasts Rose Drive and Swiss and Lali Hijack Hollywood. Yet every time he comes back to 91̽����Ƶ, he says, he feels like he’s come full-circle.

“They’ve just continued to reach out, support,” says the proud grad. “[91̽����Ƶ] is really my musical beginning and end, my home really, when it gets down to it.”

When it comes to advice for prospective students, Vega says to keep it simple. In other word, just “keep going.”

“Things get hard, they get tricky, they get challenging, they get frustrating,” he says. “But you really just can’t give up.”