Matthew Brind
Composer / Arranger / Conductor
Matt works as a composer, arranger and conductor for theatre, television, film and pop.
Most recently Matt has worked for star entertainer, John Barrowman, as arranger and Musical Director for his 2008 Concert Tour, “Another Side”, arranger and pianist for six tracks on John’s new album “Music Music Music” (SONY BMG) in collaboration with record producer Simon Franglen, arranger and conductor for the Faenol Festival, “Music Under the Stars” (BBC Television) 2008, headlining John Barrowman with guests, and arranger and pianist for the BBC Concert Orchestra for Radio Two’s “Friday Night is Music Night” starring John Barrowman.
In 2008 Matt’s new musical “Only the Brave” played to fantastic reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Matt being nominated for MTM:UK Award for Best Music for a New Musical. He orchestrated, arranged, conducted and produced an Original Cast Album for the show with a large orchestra and cast. Matt also re – orchestrated a number from the show for Niamh Perry to sing with the BBC Concert Orchestra for “Friday Night is Music Night” on BBC Radio 2. (www.onlythebrave.co.uk)
Matt’s Television work has included: Assistant to the Musical Director for “Any Dream Will Do” BBC Television and for “Grease is the Word” ITV. Matt assisted with the orchestrations for “Any Dream will Do” BBC and also “Britain’s Got Talent” 2007, ITV. Matt has worked as a pianist on the ITV programmes “X Factor” and "Britannia High”.
Matt was the Musical Director for the West End run of “Desperately Seeking Susan” and previous to this has been Musical Director for: “Me and My Girl” UK Tour, “Make Me a Song” New Players Theatre, “West Side Story”, Battersea Arts Centre, “Tomorrow Morning” New End Theatre, “Brick by Brick by Bricusse” (Directed and Choreographed by Gillian Lynne) “Espresso Trasho” Arts Theatre, “Honk” Cardiff Everyman, “Oklahoma” and “HMS Pinafore” Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.
Matt’s other theatre work has included additional orchestrations for the UK Tour of “Me and My Girl”, additional orchestrations and vocal arrangements for “Tomorrow Morning” - Matt also produced and was the pianist for the original cast recording of this show. He was also Keyboard 1 for the west end productions of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “The Woman in White” and “The Sound of Music” and Children’s Musical Director for “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Matt’s other composing work has included, “Tickledom” An Enchanting Family Musical. Tickledom was work shopped at The Gate House Theatre in Highgate in 2007, and prior to that has played around Europe at First Choice Family Holiday Resorts. Other outings of the piece have included the Midsummer Festival of Music and Theatre in Cardiff, 2005 & 2006, and also the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, 2005 & 2006. Matt also wrote “Dance of the Dragon” chosen as one of the finalists of the Global Search for New Musicals 2002, and “Goldwoman”, now renamed, “Can You Keep a Secret”, which played at the Trafalgar Studios this autumn and prior to that at the Edinburgh Festival.
Matt studied music, composition and Conducting in Cardiff at the University and the Welsh College of Music and Drama and received piano lessons from the acclaimed Richard McMahon and Richard Ormrod. As an arranger Matt has been tutored by the legendary Broadway and Film Arranger and Conductor Larry Blank.