Alex Ring Gray, Natalie L. Haslam College of Music alumnus (BM Composition / Music and Culture ‘18), has added a unique credit to his growing résumé: on-set music supervisor for The History of Sound, a 2025 romantic drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor as folk song collectors navigating the aftermath of World War I. The film, which captures the intimate process of collecting and performing folk music, required Gray to blend historical accuracy with live, emotional performances, a challenge he embraced wholeheartedly.
“I was thrilled and privileged to be part of it,” Gray said. “Having Sam Amidon, one of my favorite musicians, involved made it even more meaningful.”
Gray became involved in the project through Fritz Myers, an engineer and music consultant who hosted the coaching sessions and pre-recordings for the film. Myers connected Gray with Sam Amidon, a folk singer and expert in Appalachian and United Kingdom folk traditions. When Amidon could not attend filming, Gray stepped in to supervise the live-recorded music alongside Lucy Bright, the film’s other music supervisor, who wasn’t on set but provided guidance on selecting musicians and other key choices.
Stills from the 2025 film The History of Sound showing the two central characters, Lionel (played by Paul Mescal) and David (played by Josh O’Connor). Photos by Universal Studios & MUBI.
The directors wanted to record all the music live instead of in post-production, which is the norm in film. Everything was raw and live, and I had to make sure it ran smoothly while keeping it historically accurate.”
ALEX RING GRAY
Gray’s role on set was multifaceted. Some days involved coaching well-trained actors on stylistic nuances, ensuring pitch and historical fidelity, or guiding performers away from modern pop inflections. On other days, he worked with less experienced musicians, teaching them melodies on the spot and helping extras, sometimes even five-year-olds, harmonize for complex scenes.
“The most challenging part was keeping the actors’ performances authentic,” Gray said. “They would want to bring a modern pop sensibility to the songs, but I had to reel them in. They were thrown into the woods and asked to sing the way the people in that time and place actually would,” Gray said with a laugh. “They are there to tell a story. That is the point.”
Gray also navigated practical challenges, like helping a novice fiddler re-tune for an unexpected key change without damaging the instrument or halting a scene when a modern guitar tuner appeared on camera. These moments demanded both musical expertise and quick problem-solving.
His time at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music prepared him for this versatility. Gray highlighted Professors Andrew Sigler and Jorge Variego as strong influences in shaping both his classical training and technical skills in music production, which now inform his work as production manager for composer Philip Glass. He also credited Professors Rachel Golden, Allison Adams, and Gregory Tardy for expanding his musical knowledge and practical skills.
“UT gave me the years to hone my craft and opened my mind to different forms of music making,” Gray said. “It prepared me for the professional world in ways I am still discovering.”
The project also deepened Gray’s personal connection to folk music. Drawing on his background in musicology, he immersed himself in historical repertoire, studying original recordings to ensure authenticity and emotional fidelity. The experience has since influenced his own compositions and performance projects, including collaborations with Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal and expanded folk arrangements.
“This project propelled me into a real-world scenario where I could really dig in and understand the roots of the repertoire,” Gray said. “It has influenced how I approach composition and even led to more opportunities in the folk music world.”
For students aspiring to careers in film music, composition, or music supervision, Gray emphasizes the importance of passion and perseverance.
Follow your gut and your passion. If you are deeply interested in something, you will be willing to put in the work. That dedication will pay off.”
alex gray ring
From overseeing live recordings in period attire to coaching actors through challenging performances, Gray’s work on The History of Sound demonstrates the blend of technical expertise, historical knowledge, and creative adaptability required in the modern music industry. For Gray, it was not just a professional milestone, but a deeply personal journey into the heart of the music he loves.