Rory Chenoweth
- Composer
- Music Department
Rory Chenoweth is a Sydney-based composer known for his ability to craft evocative, genre-blending music that enhances storytelling across film, television, and concert works. His journey began as a guitarist inspired by the pioneers of shred, before expanding into classical music, film scoring, experimental modernism, electronic music, and sound design. While classically trained, Rory believes that music should flow from a place of instinct and freedom rather than rigid formulas. His compositions are often described as refined improvisations-deeply expressive and shaped by spontaneity.
"Improvisation is the most important part of my writing process. I'll often improvise freely for hours on the piano or guitar before I stop to write anything down. I like to be fully immersed in the story and emotion of what I'm writing for and let my subconscious mind respond with improvised melodies and harmonies."
Rory's work can be heard in some of the most-watched television programs in Australia and beyond, including Married At First Sight, Junior MasterChef Australia, Under Investigation, The Australian Wars, The Mole, Million Dollar Secret, and Love on the Spectrum USA. His film credits include Arcana, 17 Minutes, Red Handed, Cernunnos, and Ataraxia. In 2021, his work on Arcana earned him the award for Best Composer at the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and in 2019, he was nominated for an APRA Screen Music Award for his score for Cernunnos.
Beyond screen composition, Rory's concert works have been performed by ensembles such as the Menagerie Ensemble, Lumina Vocal Ensemble, and the Australian String Quartet. He regularly collaborates with instrumentalists from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, bringing his film scores to life through live recordings. He is also a contributing composer for the Sydney-based music library Melodie, with tracks featured across film, television, and advertising.
"Improvisation is the most important part of my writing process. I'll often improvise freely for hours on the piano or guitar before I stop to write anything down. I like to be fully immersed in the story and emotion of what I'm writing for and let my subconscious mind respond with improvised melodies and harmonies."
Rory's work can be heard in some of the most-watched television programs in Australia and beyond, including Married At First Sight, Junior MasterChef Australia, Under Investigation, The Australian Wars, The Mole, Million Dollar Secret, and Love on the Spectrum USA. His film credits include Arcana, 17 Minutes, Red Handed, Cernunnos, and Ataraxia. In 2021, his work on Arcana earned him the award for Best Composer at the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and in 2019, he was nominated for an APRA Screen Music Award for his score for Cernunnos.
Beyond screen composition, Rory's concert works have been performed by ensembles such as the Menagerie Ensemble, Lumina Vocal Ensemble, and the Australian String Quartet. He regularly collaborates with instrumentalists from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, bringing his film scores to life through live recordings. He is also a contributing composer for the Sydney-based music library Melodie, with tracks featured across film, television, and advertising.
