Who am I?

Duncan Hall is a Canadian Composer of music for the concert hall, the screen, and beyond. Utilizing mediums such as films and video games to bolster his catalogue of concert repertory, Duncan enjoys exploring the limits of his skills in any context. Being originally from Calgary, the marching arts have had an immeasurable impact on his development both as an artist and as a human. Duncan marched all three of the ‘Bands of Calgary’ before venturing on to the major league of the marching arts. It was there, at the Blue Knights and the Cavaliers, that Duncan felt his most profound certainty about the path of music. He cannot express enough how deeply grateful he is for the opportunities provided by these ensembles, the people he shared his experiences with, and how they have helped shape him into what he is today. Duncan will be returning to the Cavaliers of Rosemont, IL as a visual technician starting in their 2024 season.

Growing up, Duncan was certain that engineering was going to be his future – as was the case for the rest of his family. His love for space, mechanical systems, and scientific thinking remain a deep passion and are complemented nowadays by his love of existential dramaticism, a keen attention to detail, and a metaphysical approach to musical programs.

Before the pandemic, Duncan spent a year at Mount Allison University. He found joy participating in numerous community operations – from the Garnet & Gold musical theatre pit ensemble to programming and co-hosting a student-created radio show, “Off the Cuff.” It was at Mount Allison where his flute quartet “Eyes” kicked off his career in composition.

In 2020, Duncan Transferred to the University of Toronto, seeking further insight into the composition process. During his tenure, he sought out connections through his peers and courses to develop and foster professional engagements. He studied composition and music technology from teachers such as Roger Bergs, Aaron Tsang, and Christos Hatzis among a great deal of other very helpful professors and colleagues. He collaborated with countless Sheridan College animators; Video Game programmers from the Computer Science department, OCAD, and Centennial College; and had many works performed during student composer concerts, the New Music Festival, and a variety of other internal events. His work “There Was No Time” won the 2022 Toronto Chamber Symphony Call for scores. He expects to graduate in June 2024.