Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition

The Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media has been awarded since 1960. The award is presented to the composer of the music.

There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:

• In 1958 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1958 (over 5 minutes duration)
• In 1960 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1959 (more than 5 minutes duration)
• In 1962 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Theme or Instrumental Version of Song
• From 1964 to 1963 and from 1967 to 1970 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Theme
• In 1965 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Composition (other than jazz)
• From 1971 to the present it has been awarded as Best Instrumental Composition

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

2000s

• Grammy Awards of 2003
  • Thomas Newman for "Six Feet Under Title Theme"
• Grammy Awards of 2002
  • Alan Silvestri for "Cast Away End Credits"
• Grammy Awards of 2001
  • John Williams for "Theme From Angela's Ashes"
• Grammy Awards of 2000
  • Don Sebesky for "Joyful Noise Suite"

1990s

• Grammy Awards of 1999
  • Future Man & Victor Lemonte Wooten for "Almost 12" performed by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
• Grammy Awards of 1998
  • Wayne Shorter for "Aung San Suu Kyi" performed by Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter
• Grammy Awards of 1997
  • Herbie Hancock & Jean Hancock for "Manhattan (Island of Lights and Love)" performed by Herbie Hancock
• Grammy Awards of 1996
  • Bill Holman for "A View From the Side" performed by The Bill Holman Band
• Grammy Awards of 1995
  • Michael Brecker for "African Skies"
• Grammy Awards of 1994
  • Kenny G for "Forever in Love"
• Grammy Awards of 1993
  • Benny Carter for "Harlem Renaissance Suite"
• Grammy Awards of 1992
  • Elton John for "Basque" performed by James Galway
• Grammy Awards of 1991
  • Pat Metheny for "Change of Heart" performed by Roy Haynes, Dave Holland & Pat Metheny
• Grammy Awards of 1990
  • Danny Elfman for "The Batman Theme" performed by the Sinfonia of London Orchestra

1980s

• Grammy Awards of 1989
  • Mike Post for "The Theme From LA Law"
• Grammy Awards of 1988
  • Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins & Wayne Shorter for "Call Sheet Blues" performed by various artists
• Grammy Awards of 1987
  • John Barry for Out of Africa
• Grammy Awards of 1986
  • Jan Hammer for "Miami Vice Theme"
• Grammy Awards of 1985
  • Randy Newman for "The Natural"
  • John Williams (composer) for "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" the official music of the XXIII Olympiad
• Grammy Awards of 1984
  • Giorgio Moroder for "Love Theme From Flashdance" performed by various artists
• Grammy Awards of 1983
  • John Williams for "Flying - Theme From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
• Grammy Awards of 1982
  • Mike Post for "The Theme From Hill Street Blues"
• Grammy Awards of 1981
  • John Williams for The Empire Strikes Back
• Grammy Awards of 1980
  • John Williams for "Superman Main Title Theme"

1970s

• Grammy Awards of 1979
  • John Williams for "Theme From Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
• Grammy Awards of 1978
  • John Williams for "Main Title From Star Wars"
• Grammy Awards of 1977
  • Chuck Mangione for Bellavia
• Grammy Awards of 1976
  • Michel Legrand for Images performed by Michel Legrand & Phil Woods
• Grammy Awards of 1975
  • Mike Oldfield for "Tubular Bells - Theme From The Exorcist"
• Grammy Awards of 1974
  • Gato Barbieri for "Last Tango in Paris" performed by various artists
• Grammy Awards of 1973
  • Michel Legrand for "Brian's Song"
• Grammy Awards of 1972
  • Michel Legrand for "Theme From Summer of '42"
• Grammy Awards of 1971
  • Alfred Newman for "Airport Love Theme"
• Grammy Awards of 1970
  • John Barry for "Midnight Cowboy"

1960s

• Grammy Awards of 1969
  • Mason Williams for "Classical Gas"
• Grammy Awards of 1968
  • Lalo Schifrin for "Mission: Impossible"
• Grammy Awards of 1967
  • Neal Hefti for "Batman Theme"
• Grammy Awards of 1966
  • none
• Grammy Awards of 1965
  • Henry Mancini for "The Pink Panther Theme"
• Grammy Awards of 1964
  • Riz Ortolani for "More - Theme From Mondo Cane"
• Grammy Awards of 1963
  • Bobby Scott & Ric Marlowe for "A Taste of Honey"
• Grammy Awards of 1962
  • Galt MacDermott for "African Waltz" performed by Cannonball Adderly
• Grammy Awards of 1961
  • Duke Ellington for Anatomy of a Murder
• Grammy Awards of 1960
  • Nelson Riddle for "Cross Country Suite"