Dónal Rafferty is a music composer, specializing in music for visual and theatrical media. A native of Dublin Ireland, he first completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Trinity College Dublin (graduated '04) before pursuing a Music Degree at the National University of Ireland Maynooth (graduated '07), where he quickly uncovered his passion for composition that led him on to pursue a Master's Degree at King’s College London (graduated '09). He is an alumnus of the IMRO Irish Composition Summer School (2007) and holds diplomas in piano performance and music theory from London College of Music and Trinity College London respectively. Dónal composes music for all kinds of musical ensembles - including symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and choir - and his music demonstrates clear command of a range of idioms. His string + wind quintet ​Aquastrata (2005) was awarded the 2010 IMRO Award for Chamber Ensemble composition. His music has been performed by ensembles such as Lontano, Concorde, The Penbridge Trio, the Taylor Festival Choir, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. His music has been performed in Europe and the USA and used in commercial content by Google. Dónal has also composed for theatre, for the amateur production The Queen Who Cancelled Christmas​, which premiéred at the Whale Theatre in Greystones, Ireland in December 2018. Dónal's musical style is well-informed by his classical training, and enhanced by an awareness and understanding of contemporary musical styles. He has been funded by Culture Ireland and The Arts Council of Ireland. ​As a film music composer, Dónal constantly seeks to explore new artistic territory. His score for I Am (2022) explored darker themes in a story influence by isolation and self-doubt. His score for The Merger (2022) channeled primal and primitive influences to support the film’s humorous look at toxic masculinity. His score for the upcoming Room 107 (2023) encapsulates the fragility and vulnerability of a youth suffering through depression and unable to connect with family. ​Dónal currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He has been a featured composer at Film Independent and SAGIndie's IndieLink: Composers workshop. He is a prize-winner of the 2020 Indie Film Music Contest and a Fellow of the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (2021-22) where he trained with Angel Velez, Conrad Pope, Leonard Slatkin, and William Ross. He was part of the prestigious Society of Composers & Lyricists Los Angeles Mentor Program during 2022-23. Dónal currently assists award-winning composer Edward Shearmur. Dónal is a member of ASCAP and The SCL. He is a dual citizen of Ireland and the USA and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Dónal Rafferty

Dónal Rafferty is a music composer, specializing in music for visual and theatrical media. A native of Dublin Ireland, he first completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Trinity College Dublin (graduated '04) before pursuing a Music Degree at the National University of Ireland Maynooth (graduated '07), where he quickly uncovered his passion for composition that led him on to pursue a Master's Degree at King’s College London (graduated '09). He is an alumnus of the IMRO Irish Composition Summer School (2007) and holds diplomas in piano performance and music theory from London College of Music and Trinity College London respectively. Dónal composes music for all kinds of musical ensembles - including symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and choir - and his music demonstrates clear command of a range of idioms. His string + wind quintet ​Aquastrata (2005) was awarded the 2010 IMRO Award for Chamber Ensemble composition. His music has been performed by ensembles such as Lontano, Concorde, The Penbridge Trio, the Taylor Festival Choir, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. His music has been performed in Europe and the USA and used in commercial content by Google. Dónal has also composed for theatre, for the amateur production The Queen Who Cancelled Christmas​, which premiéred at the Whale Theatre in Greystones, Ireland in December 2018. Dónal's musical style is well-informed by his classical training, and enhanced by an awareness and understanding of contemporary musical styles. He has been funded by Culture Ireland and The Arts Council of Ireland. ​As a film music composer, Dónal constantly seeks to explore new artistic territory. His score for I Am (2022) explored darker themes in a story influence by isolation and self-doubt. His score for The Merger (2022) channeled primal and primitive influences to support the film’s humorous look at toxic masculinity. His score for the upcoming Room 107 (2023) encapsulates the fragility and vulnerability of a youth suffering through depression and unable to connect with family. ​Dónal currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He has been a featured composer at Film Independent and SAGIndie's IndieLink: Composers workshop. He is a prize-winner of the 2020 Indie Film Music Contest and a Fellow of the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (2021-22) where he trained with Angel Velez, Conrad Pope, Leonard Slatkin, and William Ross. He was part of the prestigious Society of Composers & Lyricists Los Angeles Mentor Program during 2022-23. Dónal currently assists award-winning composer Edward Shearmur. Dónal is a member of ASCAP and The SCL. He is a dual citizen of Ireland and the USA and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

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Dónal Rafferty is a music composer, specializing in music for visual and theatrical media.

A native of Dublin Ireland, he first completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Trinity College Dublin (graduated '04) before pursuing a Music Degree at the National University of Ireland Maynooth (graduated '07), where he quickly uncovered his passion for composition that led him on to pursue a Master’s Degree at King’s College London (graduated '09). He is an alumnus of the IMRO Irish Composition Summer School (2007) and holds diplomas in piano performance and music theory from London College of Music and Trinity College London respectively.

Dónal composes music for all kinds of musical ensembles - including symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and choir - and his music demonstrates clear command of a range of idioms. His string + wind quintet ​Aquastrata (2005) was awarded the 2010 IMRO Award for Chamber Ensemble composition. His music has been performed by ensembles such as Lontano, Concorde, The Penbridge Trio, the Taylor Festival Choir, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. His music has been performed in Europe and the USA and used in commercial content by Google. Dónal has also composed for theatre, for the amateur production The Queen Who Cancelled Christmas​, which premiéred at the Whale Theatre in Greystones, Ireland in December 2018. Dónal’s musical style is well-informed by his classical training, and enhanced by an awareness and understanding of contemporary musical styles. He has been funded by Culture Ireland and The Arts Council of Ireland.

​As a film music composer, Dónal constantly seeks to explore new artistic territory. His score for I Am (2022) explored darker themes in a story influence by isolation and self-doubt. His score for The Merger (2022) channeled primal and primitive influences to support the film’s humorous look at toxic masculinity. His score for the upcoming Room 107 (2023) encapsulates the fragility and vulnerability of a youth suffering through depression and unable to connect with family.

​Dónal currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He has been a featured composer at Film Independent and SAGIndie’s IndieLink: Composers workshop. He is a prize-winner of the 2020 Indie Film Music Contest and a Fellow of the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (2021-22) where he trained with Angel Velez, Conrad Pope, Leonard Slatkin, and William Ross. He was part of the prestigious Society of Composers & Lyricists Los Angeles Mentor Program during 2022-23. Dónal currently assists award-winning composer Edward Shearmur.

Dónal is a member of ASCAP and The SCL. He is a dual citizen of Ireland and the USA and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

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Skills

Co
Corporate Video
Final Cut Pro X
In
Instrumental
Logic Pro
Ma
Master
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Experience Level

Corporate Video
Expert
Final Cut Pro X
Expert
Instrumental
Expert
Logic Pro
Expert
Master
Expert
Mix
Expert
Short Film
Expert
Sibelius
Expert
Soundtrack
Expert
Steinberg Cubase
Expert
Pro Tools
Expert
Web Design
Expert
Feature
Expert
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Education

Master of Music at King's College London
September 1, 2008 - September 1, 2009
Composition major. 1st class honours.
Bachelor of Music at Maynooth University
September 1, 2005 - September 1, 2007
Composition major. 1st place in class (years 2 and 3).
Bachelor of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin
September 1, 2000 - September 1, 2004
Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering. 2nd class honours.
Bachelor of Arts at Trinity College Dublin
September 1, 2000 - September 1, 2004
Mathematics.

Qualifications

IMRO Music Award
April 8, 2010
Chamber Ensemble Composition: 'Aquastrata'
Oticons Faculty International Film Music Competition
April 1, 2024
Prize-winner
The Society of Composers & Lyricists Mentor Programme
September 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
Mentee
Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive
October 1, 2021 - May 31, 2022
Fellow
Indie Film Music Contest
April 8, 2020
Prize-winner
Culture Ireland
April 8, 2010
Travel Award (2010) to aend premiere of Choral Études in Charleston, SC, USA
Vancouver International Film Festival
October 1, 2023
AMP ‘Music In Film’ cohort member
Film Independent: IndieLink Composers
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 2021
Featured composer, 2020, 2021

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Computers & Electronics, Software & Internet, Education, Manufacturing, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services