Music Composer

Creating custom original music for visual media.

“You’re more expensive than my friend’s kid who uses Garageband”

Yes.

Synthesizer Sound Design

Sometimes called “Additional Programming”, these are bespoke sounds custom created for use within a Composer’s score instead of common “off the shelf” sounds that everyone has access to.

The individual modules are sourced from all over the world – ranging from established synthesizer companies to one-man operations that design and build each by hand. The sonic possibilities of the system are endless, such as a building something from a huge trunk of Lego, and offers a bespoke sonic edge to a composer’s sound.

Technical Wingman

A Technical Wingman is basically “Scotty” in Star Trek. Tasked with keeping the ship operational when the pressure is on! Depending on the scope of the production, it could be any number of things...

Studio Infrastructure
Integrating/deploying/maintaining studio systems at the hardware and software level

Session Prep

Preparing pre-records and materials for the score record and eventual mix
preparing sessions for an orchestrator
preparing parts if no copyist is involved

In Session

Take Notes
Verifying any note inconsistencies in Orchestration vs. Mockup
another ear in the room to listen out for tuning, intonation and stage noises

Education

Providing technical consulting services for Composers as well as meeting up with emerging composers to ‘talk shop’ about the business and how to dive in!

Neil is also involved with:

Screen Composers Guild of Canada

Member: 2005 to Present
Mentorship Program: Mentor, 2015 to Present
Seminar Host: Synthesis for Film & Television
Board of Directors: 2016 to 2018

Sheridan College

Music Applied to Stage, Screen and Interactive Visual Environments (MASSIVE) Program Advisory Committee Member

Fanshawe College Music Industry Arts

Program Advisory Committee: Member
Guest Lecturer: 2006, 2010, 2011, 2015 to Present

Centennial College Story Arts Centre - Part-Time Faculty

Digital Audio Music Production with Pro Tools (Fall 2016)
Digital Audio Music Production with Pro Tools (Fall 2017)
Digital Audio Music Production with Pro Tools (Winter 2018, 2020)
MIDI, Programming and Synthesis (Winter and Fall 2018, Winter 2020)

Canadian Film Centre

Slaight Music Residency: Technical Round Table Panelist 2013 to Present

Regent Park School of Music

Guest Speaker, Youth Committee 2020

Ontario Association of Broadcasters

OAB Career Day 2017, 2018, 2020

“Career Day provides a forum for soon-to-be
graduating broadcasting students to meet with professionals in their field to talk candidly and ask questions in a unique and casual setting. This allows them a level of access to people they would not normally have. The ever popular round-table discussions features hosts from all areas of broadcasting"

Harris Institute for the Arts