Muppet Maestro
Paul Rudolph at his home studio (Image by Katherine Marks)
You may not recognize Paul Rudolph’s name, but if you’ve had kids around the house during the last couple decades, you’ve likely heard his work. Since 2008, the versatile Rudolph, ’89 FAA, has been the vocal music director and vocal arranger for Sesame Street. His role at the beloved children’s program calls upon him to perform, compose and arrange the witty, educational musical numbers that are presented on every show, and to direct humans and Muppets in their performance. His work has been recognized with three Emmy Awards.
Raised in Normal, Ill., Rudolph was immersed in music. Dad was a drummer, Mom a pianist, and though Rudolph took lessons in both, he initially followed his father to a seat behind the drum kit. He rode that decision to attend Illinois, where he majored in music education, performing in a band at residence hall gigs on the side.
After graduation, Rudolph worked as an assistant band leader at a high school in Mahomet, Ill., and as a private music teacher in Chicago. He then returned to the U. of I. to work toward a master’s degree in composition. “Studying with Illinois music faculty members Zack Browning, MMUS ’77, AMUSD ’80; [the late] Salvatore Martirano; and Scott Wyatt really helped me hone my own style, and opened up possibilities for composing.”
Rudolph found himself drawn to the idea of composing for film and television. He liked the challenge of writing music that is identifiable and unique, yet fits the scene and the director’s vision. When Rudolph heard of a job opening as studio assistant to Richard Gibbs, who composed the theme to Battlestar Galactica and other shows, he headed for Hollywood.
Paul Rudolph and his wife, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, proudly display their respective Emmys. The couple met while working on Muppets Tonight. (Image by Katherine Marks)
“Studying with Illinois music faculty members really helped me hone my own style.” —Paul Rudolph, ’89 FAA
“Working with Richard,’’ says Rudolph, “I saw how he placed music in and around scenes while watching completely raw film. Often, he would ask me where I thought the music should start and stop, almost as a professor would ask a student. This was an amazing education, and that gave me confidence.’’ This led to a job as assistant musical director on the ABC series Muppets Tonight, where not only did Rudolph first experience the joy of working with the Muppets and their human alter-egos, but he also met his wife-to-be, the actress Leslie Carrara-Rudolph.
At Sesame Street, Rudolph’s responsibilities span the entire process of song development. He is one of 14 composers on staff, and records and edits the performances. Much of his focus is devoted to the vocalists. “Our singers range [in age] from 7 to 70—[and] from accomplished performers to total amateurs,” he says.
Working on Sesame Street has brought him into contact with numerous guest stars, including Billy Porter, Janelle Monae, Audra McDonald, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bruno Mars and the U.S. Marine Corps Band. One of Rudolph’s fondest memories involves Elvis Costello, and a counting-song parody of his song, “Red Shoes.”
“One of our writers changed the lyric from ‘the angels wanna wear my red shoes’ to ‘a monster went and ate my red 2,’” Rudolph says. “I recorded a demo to make sure the parody lyrics sounded right and felt good musically. When I met with Elvis to chat about the song, I sort of apologized for my singing. He said, ‘No, no, it was brilliant, really helpful.’ That made my day!”
