American composer Eric Whitacre helped with the choir-based songs, such as the mermaid theme, which included Whitacre's soprano wife, Hila Plitmann. Zimmer's collaborator Geoff Zanelli contributed many cues, mostly featured in the track "On Stranger Tides". Trumpetist Arturo Sandoval is featured throughout the score. The music was recorded at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California, conducted by Nick Glennie-Smith, with Whitacre's choir being done at Abbey Road Studios.