David Hirschfelder was raised in the peaceful country town of Ballarat, about 70 miles northwest of Melbourne Australia. After graduating from Ballarat Grammar School in 1976, he continued his music education at Melbourne University. Quickly making waves as a keyboard prodigy, David was inevitably called abroad to perform his compositions at the 1983 Montreux Jazz Festival. From the mid-80s to early-90s, Hirschfelder became the musical brain behind many of Australia’s landmark concert events and recordings, including John Farnham’s 1988 Classic Jack Tour, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Harry M. Miller’s record-breaking Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular in 1992. Also in that same year, David’s first film-score for Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom won a BAFTA (British Academy) award. In 1996 David received an Oscar nomination, an AFI and an APRA award for his Shine score; and in 1998 a further Oscar nomination, as well as a BAFTA award for Elizabeth. Hirschfelder is now recognised globally as Australia’s most distinguished and renowned screen-composer. Other works include Eternity for orchestra, choir and 1000 tap-dancers (commissioned for the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games) and Branches of Vayu for trombone, 2 pianos and 2 percussionists (commissioned for the 2011 MSO Chamber Series). David’s recent film-scores include Baz Lurhmann’s Australia, Zack Snyder’s Legend of the Guardians, and James Cameron’s Sanctum.