"Does anyone remember the Rankin/Bass made for tv movie, "The Hobbit." Some of the songs from that movie are awesome. I think in some fashion, or another, at least the song 15 Birds (What Funny Little Things) should be included in the movie. Perhaps jazz it up, but a nod to Rankin/Bass in this movie would be pretty interesting, in my opinion."

Unlike most of the fans on these boards, I actually adore the Rank/Bass toon. The later Lord of the Rings cartoons are another issue, though I enjoy them on a basic level. I like that 70's folk sound, and it was very fitting for all of the music in the Hobbit. In Del Toro's Hobbit, I predict that the songs will take on either a drunken or sado-masochist connotation, depending on the scene. Some of the limericks sung by Merry and Pippin in the Extended Versions of the Trilogy were awesome. The instrumentation in the Rankin/Bass toon would be outdated for Del Toro's film, but I wouldn't mind some sort of tribute to it whenever the Dwarves sing. To this day, when I pop in the old Hobbit toon, that first grader resurfaces, and I am filled with raw wonder and joy. I grew up on the cartoon, and did not even read the Hobbit or LOTR trilogy until I was in college. It defined my understanding of Tolkien for many years, so it has sentimental value for me. But I am only 25, so I can imagine that some of the older fans on these boards have different feelings about it and that is fine. But when the dwarves are drunk, I think some cool Rankin/Bass folk music is called for. Also, I can imagine the goblins singing "down down to goblin town," kind of like how Samuel L. Jackson quotes scripture to his victims just before he blows them away in Pulp Fiction. Its sick, and some "f---d up s--t!" LMAO!

How can musicians try to be part of the mucic for the upcoming movie(s)? What about entire an entire chorus?

We can count on middleearthgirl at least ... but that was never in doubt :-)

Does anyone remember the Rankin/Bass made for tv movie, "The Hobbit." Some of the songs from that movie are awesome. I think in some fashion, or another, at least the song 15 Birds (What Funny Little Things) should be included in the movie. Perhaps jazz it up, but a nod to Rankin/Bass in this movie would be pretty interesting, in my opinion.

NZ fans have been practising be assured we have just been treated to an ozzy ozbourne concert in which we did most of the singing :-)

More close male harmony singing for the dwarves then ... i think the sports fans of new zealand (who provided much of the chanting for the lotr films) should start practising now?

The Shire themes should definitely be back, of course, but obviously not the Fellowship, Minas Tirith, Lothlorien, and themes like that whose subject will not (hopefully ;) be appearing in the film. The Rivendell themes can be reprised. But we'll need a new theme for the Misty Mountains, a new theme for Beorn, a new theme for Mirkwood evil creatures, a new theme for the Mirkwood Elves, a new theme for Lake Town, a theme for Bard :), and a theme for the Lonely Mountain... and a theme for the Dwarves, of course. So, yeah, lots of new material, but in a similar style to the other films. I think a more folky singer might be good for the credits and other "verbal" songs-- as this is a movie about a Hobbit and Dwarves. Enya is more of an "Elf", if you know what I mean :)

I agree with QuackingTroll with the start.
I would like music which is not so epic as it was in Lord of the Rings. Hobbit´s story is not so big and complicated. It is lighter, more cheerful and more happy. Well of course there are scenes such as Mirkwood and Lonely mountain.

The original Hobbit song is going to be great as an introduction theme, the audience will feel confortable in the scene as soon as they hear it which is one of the benefits of the Lord of the Rings coming out before the Hobbit. Where usually Hobbiton would look alien to us, it now appears familiar and the soundtrack should certainly compliment this. But as the film goes on other less familiar scores will appear and we can get lost in Middle-Earth again. It's truely great news that Howard Shore is on board.

Presumably Howard Shore will use similar themes for the Dwarves that he developed for the passage of Moria in FOTR?. And the same could be said of 'concerning hobbits', though of course in both cases he will no doubt freshen things up and possibly lighten the tone slightly for the Hobbit?.

God, if my life had a soundtrack that guy would be the composing it.
I can't even begin to imagine what the soundtrack should be like. Should feature some lighter tones for the hobbits I suppose, but a more earthen element to reflect the dwarves. For some reason I can't decide whether Smaug's theme would have serious overtones or a slightly comical feel lol. He really was a quirky fellow, that Smaug.

For the Elves of Mirkwood, perhaps something wild and celtic to reflect the 'wildhunt' aspect they seem to represent?.

The theme's concerning the dwarves, already introduced in LOTR, could be developed a lot, concidering the story. The Mirkwood Elves music should be a little bit like Lorien I guess, but with a slightly darker twist to it.

It's obvious that Howard Shore would do The Hobbit and any sequels. There is no one that can argue that Howard Shores genius, let me repeat that GENIUS, and incredible dedication to the world's greatest trilogy. I know the sequels success would be poised on disappointment and incredible acceptance simply by Howard's innate ability to adapt the novel to screen musicly. Thank God he accepted. Howard, we are all eagarly awaiting.........

I think some kind of scandinavian influence would work well.