Ask me a question Dani Howard Composer
I am a composer and orchestrator based in the UK, and I am really just so happy and grateful that I get to write music for a living. I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and had the most incredible range of experiences (musical and non-musical) in my childhood, and have since absolutely loved living in the UK where I completed my higher education, and have remained here to live and work. I am particularly passionate about writing orchestral music, as well as collaborating on interdisciplinary projects with artists of all kinds.
Photo: Emma Fenton
Tell us a little about yourself
What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?
It is extremely difficult to pick just one, but the first project that came to mind was the hour-long sound installation I composed Who (or what) has most influenced in 2020 for the Antoni Gaudí building in you and your career? Barcelona, Casa Batllo. This immersive I have had a series of people I would call project was just so incredible – I feel really mentors throughout my life, starting proud to know that so many people are with my cello teacher Richard Bamping, listening to my music on a daily basis. followed by my composition teacher during It was a culmination of working with a my studies at the RCM, Jonathan Cole. number of wonderful artists, composing Both of these two individuals taught an hour of music for symphony orchestra, me nearly everything I know, and really percussion quartet and electronics, created the foundation which has allowed and having it all recorded, mixed, and me to become a musician. More recently a mastered, to create the music for their wonderful composer, Mario Grigorov, has newly launched audio-guide. [Find been a huge mentor to me, and guided out more about the building and Dani me through a range of situations and Howard’s soundtrack for public tours here: projects. It is wonderful to have people casabatllo.es/en/experience] around you who you can call with the big Who is your all-time favourite artist questions, and who give advice on areas and why? in which you simply have never had any experience. These people, among many other individuals, have really helped me navigate this extremely unique, complex, and challenging career.
I could not possibly pick a single all-time favourite unfortunately! My musical influences come from such a wide range that this would simply be impossible!
What was the last CD or music download that you purchased? I last purchased the Hamilton soundtrack – which I LOVE. What are your plans for the future? My big goal is to make new music more accessible to wider audiences. I would love audiences to get as excited about music by living composers as they do by Mozart and Mahler, and I am on a mission to encourage more and more performers, organisations and promoters alike to programme more music by living composers and inspire our audiences. Finally, what is your ISM membership to you? ISM has been a wonderful organisation to be a part of, and it is extremely reassuring to know you have a team of people there to help if you ever need any support. I am currently working on a large contract, and it is the support of their legal team has been most useful, and it’s extremely comforting to know that my membership means I have this support.
Do you receive our email updates? We regularly email members with the latest news, advice and guidance that music professionals need to know. If you haven’t been receiving our updates, please let us know, as it may be that we have incorrect contact details for you, or
ism.org
@ism_music
facebook.com/ISMusicians
that you have unsubscribed to our mailing list in the past. Make sure you are subscribed by contacting our membership team on 020 7221 3499 or membership@ism.org
@ism_music
incorporated-society-of-musicians
ism_music
