Student 'overwhelmed' to compose music for orchestra

William Donaldson said his former piano teacher is coming to the concert.

A 22-year-old composer has said he is feeling "overwhelmed" as his work is set to be performed by an 80-piece orchestra.

University of Hertfordshire student William Donaldson will have his six-minute score played by the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra during a concert of blockbuster film music.

The composition was chosen by the orchestra after a competition among students at the university.

He said: "Just having my work played with composers like John Williams at my age, is an incredible achievement."

William Donaldson's music will open a concert full of film music including Star Wars composer John Williams

Mr Donaldson, who was born in Milton Keynes and raised in Northamptonshire, aspires to a career as a video game music composer.

He said: "I love video game soundtracks, like the score used in Skyrim. Skylanders was a big inspiration as a kid."

His piece, titled Oceanic Voyage, was composed as part of his degree: Music Composition and Technology for Film and Games.

It was chosen to be played at the University’s annual music festival, Sonic Hertsy, which celebrates music from stage and screen by composers such as John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

He said: "It makes me quite proud, to be honest. I want to see how much I can push myself."

The 22-year-old hopes for a career in composing music for video games

The composer spent six months, as part of his degree, at San Diego State University, where he had a composition played by a 70-piece orchestra.

Although the sound of an orchestra can be replicated with technology, Mr Donaldson said "it's not the same".

He explained: "It's slightly overwhelming, you think you get used to it but you don't."

In the audience during the concert on Sunday night will be members of his family and former teachers.

"My family is coming, which should be amazing; also, my old piano teacher is going to be there, and I haven't seen her in a few years; that will be phenomenal."