Interview with Daniel Brett [danielbrett] on Whohub

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What do you do? What is your musical specialty?

I compose music for media (film, tv, audio dramas etc.) and concert, writing in a wide variety of different styles for many different ensembles and projects.

Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with?

I generally work alone, though I like to try out ideas on other musicians to get to know the technicalities of each instrument more intimately.

Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work?

My website is www.daniel-brett.co.uk, u can also purchase two of my film scores at www.arkade.com/danielbrett or purchase sheet music at www.sales.daniel-brett.co.uk or through Sibelius Music.

Please list any awards, competitions, or other acknowledgments you would like to mention.

Film music successes so far have seen my work broadcast on BBC2 and Sky (Channel 195) as well as picking up awards at the Royal Television Society Student Awards and Bradford Animation Film Festival. Films have also gone to such prestigious festivals as the Cambridge Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival (Short Film Corner) amongst many others, and have also been shortlisted for the British Animation Awards (People's Choice).

In July 2005 I was awarded the Christopher Brooks Memorial Prize (hon pat. Sir Harrison Birtwistle) for my tone poem 'Aurora'. The work was performed by the Lancashire Sinfonietta and was directed by Lyn Fletcher, leader of the Halle. This award saw me appointed 'Composer in Residence' for the Lancashire Sinfonietta's 2005-2006 season, taking part in their 1Odyssey Education Programme in schools throughout the North-West.

How did you begin making music? Who introduced you?

My Mum taught me the piano from an early age, and I was inspired to start composing by the musical director of my church, Raymond Smith, who composed musicals which we would perform in Preston Guild Hall and the Bridgewater in Manchester. I was also very fortunate to meet the composer Pamela Wedgwood at a seminar of her music and from then on we kept in touch, she even wrote me a piece as part of her 'After Hours' piano series. It was a fantastic encouragement to see a composer earning a living doing what she wanted to do!

What was your musical education?

Trained as a classical musician, DipABRSM in Piano Performance, Grade 8 Trumpet (dist), Grade 8 Singing (dist), and Grade 8 Theory.

Took A-level Music Technology at Sixth-Form and received one of the top ten highest marks for the country that year. Attained a Diploma in Media Composition with the 'Music for the Media' Course run by Guy Michelmore, where my tutor was Peter Howell, head of composition at the National Film and Television School.

Currently studying for a degree in Humanities, Music and Media Studies through the Open University, alongside an LRSM in piano performance.

When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you?

In 2005. Winning the award and hearing my music performed by world class musicians was just mind blowing and made up my mind that this was possible!

What is your creative process?

I constantly get ideas wherever I am, they just appear in my head, often fully formed and all I have to do is get them on paper! Sometimes ideas will just flow as I'm playing into my sequencer or using Sibelius. With film music I watch a blank, dialogue only version of the film which I then score instinctively in sections, throwing ideas down into the sequencer and seeing if they work or not, its a very natural process and the music tends to evolve as I go along.

When do you have your most lucid moments, in the morning or night?

Depends, sometimes I've been known to continue writing well into the early hours of the morning, but I also start composing very early too! If the music is flowing then there's no stopping it.

Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams?

How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes?

You never 'know' when a song or piece is finished, I don't think anything is ever truly finished. There's always something I could tweak in the mix, or a bar I'm not happy with, but unfortunately with such tight deadlines often a piece is 'finished' purely because there is no more time! I think I'm a bit of a perfectionist!

What part of your job is your least favourite?

Having to stop working on a piece because time is up. Cleaning scores so they are playable by live musicians.

How often do you practice?

Every day, often for four hours, although when I'm busy on a project this gets rapidly cut down! There just isn't enough time in the day!

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