Richard Altenbach will share personal anecdotes and experiences bringing music to life from the scoring stages of Hollywood at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.

Altenbach, concertmaster of the North Idaho Sinfonia and teacher/violin instructor at the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene, will present a 90-minute seminar, "A Century of Music in Film," at First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

As a classically-trained violinist, Altenbach enthusiastically embraces playing in symphony orchestras and small chamber ensembles, such as string quartets and piano trios. Through the decades, he has performed with the Houston Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Fontenelle String Quartet, Joffrey Ballet and Hollywood Bowl orchestras, among many others.

From a very young age, Altenbach wanted something more from music.

"I’ve always heard music visually,” he said, “associating images in my mind to accompany even the most abstract musical pieces.”

At age 5, Altenbach composed his first song, setting a picture book of his own creation to music. “SuperBanana and Peele” was born, launching a lifetime of music that spans multiple genres.

“Composing music for film, video games and the concert stage is actually my true passion,” Altenbach said. “I find most of my concert music relates to story, or visual impressions. And writing music to picture is an apex experience.”

A lover of cinematic sound and the powerful, epic scores of Hollywood, Altenbach’s career spans more than 28 years contributing to more than 1,000 film scores as a studio violinist, including "The Lion King," "Jurassic Park" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." He attributes his love of movie music mainly to time spent in the scoring stages of Hollywood, both in the orchestra on stage and behind the glass as a spectator, or, at times, a composer.

“While playing during a recording session, I was listening, learning — paying attention to how work was done — what sounds and styles were around me," he said. "I said to myself, ‘I could do this!'"

Altenbach has worked with Hans Zimmer, John Williams and the late Jerry Goldsmith, and has played principal second violin for Danny Elfman. He has recorded with Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Puff Daddy, Aerosmith, Yo-Yo Ma and has even written and performed string arrangements for three of Natasha Bedingfield’s pop hits.

One of his greatest highlights was being chosen as one of 12 composers worldwide to participate in the the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Film Composers’ Workshop, which brings together top movie industry professionals and challenges participants to compose, arrange and conduct assigned film cues.

“It was surreal, even magical to find myself at 20th Century Fox conducting friends and fellow musicians in recording my own musical score for a film scene," Altenbach said. "I believe every person is a musical being, and everyone seems to have strong opinions about movies, and music in movies."

The Century of Music in Film program will focus on the fascinating role of music in moving pictures, the unseen “supporting actor." Tickets are $25 or $10 for students. The event will serve as a benefit for the conservatory.

“Richard brings a high level of excellence and enrichment to the conservatory," said Julienne Dance, founder and director of the Music Conservatory of Coeur d'Alene. "His musicianship seeps into our programs, performances and inspires the faculty. Most exciting are the seminars he teaches and his mentorship to our students.“

Conservatory officials hope to spark interest in a future 10-week course in the history of film music. The course will comprehensively trace film music through more than 100 years, from the first commissioned score by a 19th century classical master to today’s futuristic electronic effects. The course will trace innovations, styles, lost or unused scores, the functions of money and politics on this emotionally stirring aspect of filmmaking. Myriad examples highlight true greats, passing fads, epic flops and current giants in the field.

Also coming up at the Music Conservatory of Coeur d'Alene:

• 7 p.m. Saturday — Masterclass: Classical Music History and Interpretation

• 7 p.m. Oct. 20 — Masterclass: Improvisation in Music: Let it Go!

• 2 p.m. Oct. 23 — An Autumn Affair with the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra and the Music Conservatory of Coeur d'Alene

• 7 p.m. Nov. 5 — Masterclass: History of Rock 'n' Roll

• 7 p.m. Nov. 11 — Concert: Evening in the Gardens of Spain

Info: cdaconservatory.org