The “Main Title Theme” for Star Trek: The Next Generation was composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage nearly eight years before the series premiered on television on September 28, 1987 with the episode “Encounter at Farpoint”. This theme was actually composed as the “Main Title Theme” for Star Trek: The Motion Picture which was released in theaters in December 1979. Seven to seven and half years later during the production of The Next Generation pilot, composer Dennis McCarthy was chosen to compose the music for said pilot. He would re-arrange the “Main Title Theme” from The Motion Picture for the “Main Title Theme” of The Next Generation. Mr. McCarthy would also compose an alternate main theme for the series but it would never air on television however, it was made available with the release of the “Encounter at Farpoint” soundtrack in 1988 and is featured on this page. Along with the alternate and regular versions of the main title featured is a version of the main title that includes the famous “Space, the final frontier...” narration voiced by actor Patrick Stewart, who played the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard during the series. This “narrated” main title theme was released on the fourth volume of music from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Alternate Main Title Theme from:  ST: TNG - Vol. 1
Music from the episode: “Encounter at Farpoint”
Episode Music composed and conducted by Dennis McCarthy

Main Title Theme from: ST: TNG - Vol. 2
Music from the episodes: “The Best of Both Worlds, Parts I & II”
Episode Music composed and conducted by Ron Jones, arranged by Dennis McCarthy

Main Title Theme with Patrick Stewart narration from: ST: TNG - Vol. 4
Music from the episodes: “Tin Man”, “The Inner Light”, “Sub Rosa”,
“A Fistful of Datas”, “Dark Page”, “Descent, Parts 1 & 2” and “Birthright, Part 1”
Episode Music composed & conducted by Jay Chattaway