Wayne Neilson

Wayne Neilson (b. 1966) is a Tasmanian based freelance Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger and Music Educator. He studied Composition, Orchestration and Arranging at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, under the direction of Nigel Butterley, one of Australia’s most respected composers.  

Wayne completed his composition apprenticeship working on Nigel Butterley’s opera Lawrence Hargrave flying alone, assisting in realising the orchestral score from short score and with the preparation of parts. Wayne has been selected as a finalist in Composers workshops with the ABC Sinfonia Orchestra, and Contemporary Ensemble The Seymour Group. His song cycle Of Fire and Ice, based on poems from 3 Australian poets for Soprano and Piano, was premiered at the Canberra School of Music. Wayne has published works through global Music publisher SMP Press.  

Wayne has spent the last 26 years in Music Education, also working as an HSC Examiner in Composition and Performance but has recently returning to his original love of music – to full time composition, orchestration and arranging and,  in particular, orchestral composition. Wayne composes cinematic orchestral music that is highly emotive and evocative, calling his works Sonic Stories, collaborating with artists and poets. Wayne is particularly interested in how the orchestra can emulate the natural beauty of the Tasmanian landscape. 

In 2019, Wayne was awarded the Heyward Prize by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for his work From Valley to Summit, a Sonic Story based on the poem From Valley to Summit by Lee Eggleston.