SMA Spotlight: Peter Michael Davison

In the next instalment of the SMA Spotlight series, we catch up with composer, orchestrator, conductor and brass arranger, Peter Michael Davison. Pete's recent work includes the orchestral score for the stop motion animation feature film ​Strike and the soundtrack for Imogen Thomas' Emu Runner (TIFF, official selection). He is also known as an orchestrator and conductor, working with double Ivor Novello winner Joris de Man on the Ivor Novello winning, BAFTA nominated music for the PS4 release, Horizon Zero Dawn. Pete has worked as a conductor across Europe, including performances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the poet Roger McGough as part of the 50 years celebrations of The Beatles' iconic album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

Q>Hi Pete! First things first, can you tell us a little bit about how you began your career in the industry? 

Peter> I have been a musician all my life, so I don’t really know anything else, and it’s never occurred to me that I should do anything else. I’d be terrible at whatever else it was anyway! So I thought I should do something that I liked, and thought perhaps I was marginally better at. With regards to film and TV - well, that was lucky, I asked the universe and then a couple of films landed on my plate and I was off….(I played cricket with the friend of a producer...met up and found that we got on like a house on fire).​

Q>What does an ideal working day look like for you? 

Peter> Starting very early - I work much better in the morning - then perhaps a walk down to the beach, then a bit more writing. Ideally, I like to be conducting at some point during the course of my week - so orchestras and studio work are the real joy - there"s no better feeling than when it comes together on the scoring stage.

Q>How do you like to approach a new job? Could you tell us a little about your writing process? 

Peter> I like to think about it, walk get ideas in my head. Perhaps ask friends what they think would be good references, and then have a listen to some kind of list of tracks. Oh yeah.... and a few sleepless nights...

Q>What has been the proudest moment of your career so far? 

Peter> Being able to jump from being a part-time to full-time composer when someone gave me a budget (and the opportunity!) to record a full orchestra - thanks Jez! Thanks Imogen and Victor! Oh and a computer game I orchestrated/conducted called Horizon Zero Dawn getting an Ivor Novello and a shed load of other awards.