ECU tuba instructor performs on ‘Toy Story 5’

ECU tuba instructor performs on 'Toy Story 5'

You've got a friend in East Carolina University tuba instructor Scott Sutherland.

Sutherland, who joined the School of Music (SOM) faculty last year, is a musician on the "Toy Story 5" soundtrack, composed by Randy Newman. The latest film in Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story" franchise opened in theaters today, and introduces electronic devices to the toys' fight for playtime.

Sutherland said he feels affection for the "Toy Story" films.

"It was the first feature-length, animated movie done by a computer, and it made you cry," he said. "I don't think anyone could have ever guessed that would be the case. We knew computer-generated images were impressive, but didn't know they could make you feel.

"That movie blew me away, so it's an absolute thrill to be on that franchise. It's quite an honor."

A self-described "huge movie nerd," Sutherland has played for a half-dozen big movies, including "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Pearl Harbor," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," the upcoming "The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender," and several TV shows, including "Attack on Titan" and the new "Cape Fear."

Sutherland grew up in southern California and attended the University of Southern California, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees studying with "the guy who does all the work" - tubist Tommy Johnson, who played on thousands of films, including the tense shark music in "Jaws," and died in 2006.

"It's who you know and how well you play," Sutherland said. "When those two things collide, opportunities come about. Luck is preparation meets opportunity."

For Sutherland's latest opportunity, he spent about five months playing pages of music during "Toy Story 5" recording sessions at the Sony Pictures Studio lot (formerly MGM), on the same soundstage where Judy Garland recorded "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for "The Wizard of Oz."

Sutherland said the musicians have visuals from the movie while they play, but no sound or dialogue, so they don't know what's happening in the film during a particular musical piece. Musicians receive the new music only about 24 hours ahead of the first recording session.

"Probably the most thrilling part of the soundtrack was maybe the second day of recording sessions," he said. "We started playing - me and the other tuba player, drummer, piano and the clarinet - and all of a sudden it's clear we're playing 'You've Got a Friend in Me.'

"And you just try not to ruin the take with the emotion."

Sutherland said he identifies with Woody, the cowboy sheriff in the "Toy Story" franchise who has been a dependable leader from the start, and more recently has been on a new adventure to help other toys in need.

"I'm kind of wild and eccentric and loud," Sutherland said. "I've always loved Tom Hanks, and I tend to be a bit of an organizer, so I see myself as a Woody."

While Sutherland enjoys "Toy Story," he becomes animated and emotional talking about two popular live-action franchises, both with music composed by John Williams, as he holds up the Williams biography he's reading. He said the 1981 Indiana Jones film "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is in his top five movies, with "some of the greatest music, period."

While Sutherland admits to the cliché, he said it's all about "Star Wars." He described a vivid memory of seeing "Return of the Jedi" in the theater at age 5.

"All of your heroes are captured, and Luke gets pushed off the plank and flips, the music builds, and Luke catches that lightsaber that R2 throws, and it's green and it's the wrong color," Sutherland said. "And the music. I can hear it. It's so thrilling, it's so good.

"As someone who is such an uber-fan of music and film and these composers, to be able to contribute to that is just a thrill and an honor."

Along with the film opportunities, Sutherland previously taught at the University of Redlands, California Baptist University and Idyllwild Arts Academy. He is a founding member and played tuba and piano with the international touring ensemble Presidio Brass. He is a member of the Redlands Symphony and Riverside Philharmonic, and has played with many other symphonies and philharmonics across the country. Ahead of the "Toy Story 5" release, he played with the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh.

Sutherland will return to campus for the SOM's popular Summer Band and Orchestra Camp June 21-26, and is moving to North Carolina before the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

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