John Williams Honored with Performing Arts Center at North Hollywood High School

LOS ANGELES — Legendary composer John Williams, one of the most celebrated figures in film music history, was honored Wednesday with a performing arts center named after him at his alma mater, North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles.

Williams, who has earned more than 50 Academy Award nominations and five Oscar wins over his career, returned to the campus to help officially open the John Williams Performing Arts Center. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the composer welcomed students into the space and encouraged them to make it their own.

“I’m overwhelmed and full of joy because this place, the couple of years I spent here like you are doing have been, for me, formative in my thinking, in my professional work and so on,” he said. “This is a great, magical place.”

The celebration included performances from North Hollywood High’s marching band, which played music from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and the school’s symphony orchestra, which performed selections from “Star Wars.” Williams watched and praised the students as they showcased his iconic music.