Composer
Website: cameronmoodymusic.com
Most recent: Washington Black
“I think what draws meto a project is also what scares me: it’s new,” says Cameron Moody, who at 22 is one of the youngest composers ever to score a 20th Century Television series with Washington Black. “In the case of Washington Black, it was a story that leapt off the page. It felt like there was an opportunity not just for the score, but for the story as a whole, to resonate. That’s what I look for: a project with something to say.”
After becoming emotionally attached to the music of Star Wars at age five, Moody began his musical trajectory by learning trumpet, piano and seeking out as many books on harmony, theory and scoring that he could. This ultimately led him to studying at NYU, making an impression on a guest visitor to the school—composer Michael Abels—following up with a social media message, and being offered an assistant job.
Years later, when the opportunity to write the music for the Selwyn Seyfu Hinds-created series Washington Black came along, the producers and showrunner told Moody their musical vision was along the lines of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. Undaunted, Moody delivered a sweeping, uplifting score, leaning into his love and talent for orchestra and acoustic instrumentation. “The story takes us all around the world, and they wanted the score to be in line with that in terms of its scope. We also wanted the music to appeal to people’s emotions and not be tied down geographically."
Also a talented conductor, Moody served as composer-in-residence for the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica in 2022. He said the experience helped him grow as a composer by helping him better understand how to communicate with musicians: “First, learn the craft,” he says. “Second, have patience. You can learn to enjoy the stepping stones.”
