My name is Simon Leonard Cutts and I compose and produce music for Film, TV, Library and Classical Ensembles. I am also a very competent and experienced Orchestrator, Transcriber and Arranger, having written over 80 works for Orchestra, Choir, Big Band and many other ensembles. I’ve also worked along side several directors which developed into lasting relationships and have also worked on many other creative collaborations.
In 2019 I finished a three year long degree at Leeds College of Music studying BA Film Music under the tuition of Brian Morrell, graduating with a First Class Honours. Whilst there I achieved the Conservatoire Prize for BA Music (Film) for achieving the highest grade on the course. In 2016 I was commissioned to write my string trio which was performed at Otley Courthouse in 2019. Also in 2018 I was commissioned to write the 15 minute long Sinfonietta to be performed on April 5th the following year and since have been asked to write smaller works for solo instruments and small ensembles.
I started composing at the age of 12 on small pieces of manuscript paper, after years of frustration of having songs and melodies stuck inside my head. Very quickly, I moved to scoring softwares and became inspired by great composers such as Thomas Bergersen, Hans Zimmer, James Horner and Koji Kondo. Through trial and error, I spent most of my free time composing larger and larger works, learning more about what I can do, and what I can't do.
At 16 I became classically trained in composition. I fell in love with Chopin, Shostakovich, Grieg, Saint-Saens; and dreamed of writing music that stood up to theirs. It is here where I procured ABRSM Grade 8 in Piano and Theory and started my most ambitious projects ever, a Symphony and my prized possession, my Reqiuem.
At 18 I arrived at Leeds College of Music and my musical language, methods and soundscapes dramatically changed. I was introduced into a world of DAWs, samples, new harmonies and new ways of writing. With my pre-existing palette of inspiration, I studied film scores and searched how to combine all of my musical influences together. Here I started my world instrument collection (which currently boasts contrasting 13 instruments and rising) and learned more about the music of our planet.
After graduating university I moved to London to start work as a freelance composer. Over the pandemic I worked on projects for independent film makers, ITV, and production houses. In addition I started my own research projects which resulted in me writing an orchestration course, a musicianship course, and a composition harmony course, all of which I still actively deliver.
I am currently working on a large scale concept album which is occupying the majority of my time. Alongisde this I am developing new research into traditional and popular ethnomusicological methods.