Today we raise a toast to celebrate the 60th birthday of film composer and writer Dr. David Raiklen, whose creativity helps shape the soundscape of cinema and science fiction alike. He is also a featured writer here at SCIFI.radio, and his knowledge of the worlds of music composition and the music industry give us insight no one else can provide.

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Spotlight: David Raiklen

Here are some highlight facts about David:

• He began studying keyboard and composing at age 5 — early signs of a lifelong passion.
• At age 9 he wrote, directed and scored his first film.
• He studied composition at USC and CalArts, and later taught there.
• His mentors include Oscar-winner John Williams and Pulitzer-winner Mel Powel.
• His work spans the major studios (Fox, Sony, Disney, Warner Bros) and media: films, TV, video games, mobile, museums, concerts.
• His compositions have been performed at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall.
• He was the composer for Marc Scott Zicree’s Space Command series.
• He was the inspiration for the character of Chamberlain Raiklen in Gene Turnbow’s debut fantasy novel, Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere.
• At SCIFI.radio he’s contributed not just as a writer but as one who understands the soundtrack of genre — underscoring our mission: speculative stories + immersive soundscapes.

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Listen: David Raiklen Conducting a Studio Film Orchestra

Take a moment to watch David in action—leading a full studio orchestra in a cinematic session, proof of the depth his music contributes to our shared love of story and sound. This is “Sun”, from Raiklen’s “Universe Symphony”.

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Why this matters for SCIFI.radio

For a station built on fandom, imagination and creative community, David’s work resonates beautifully:

• His musical polyphony of orchestral, electronic, world and jazz elements mirrors the genre-mixing we celebrate.
• His writing and presence on the station bring depth to our coverage of film, TV, sound, scores and game-music — helping us go beyond “what happened” to “how did it feel” and “what does the score tell us?”
• By spotlighting creators like David, we reflect our ethos: sci-fi isn’t just stories on screen or on page — it’s sound, it’s mood, it’s experience. SCIFI.radio thrives when we explore that full spectrum.

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A Birthday Wish

May the next year bring unexpected guest drops, original musical scores, deep dives into genre soundtracks, and new intersections of story and song.

Happy birthday, David Raiklen: keep composing, keep writing, keep inspiring.