David Hirschfelder (1976)
What are you currently working on?
Recently, I composed the score for The Fabulous Four, starring Susan Sarandon and Bette Midler and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. It is an American comedy about the strong friendship and occasional bad behaviour of four wonderful women of a certain age! Although the film was shot in the US, the post-production occurred in Australia. Jocelyn, the Director, is based in Sydney and I am based in Melbourne with a music composing production facility at our home in Kew. Technology and high-speed internet connection have made interstate and international collaboration much easier and quicker, saving travel time and jet lag! My son Sam, also a musician/composer, is based in Los Angeles and has his own studio there. He wrote some additional score for this film and we’ve collaborated on a few other film and television projects. It’s such a joy to be able to make music with my LA-based son.
What are some career highlights?
Lots of omissions, but these are some career highlights that have shaped me as a person and artist (still evolving – as we all are)… Being a part of the Whispering Jack album in 1987 and touring with John Farnham during the late 80s/early 90s was life-changing. Working with John provided so many cherished awesome experiences, boosted my confidence and helped catch the attention of film directors, opening the door to a career in screen composition. Composing music for film and television was something I had dreamed about since childhood. Receiving Oscar nominations and garnering British Academy (BAFTA) awards for Strictly Ballroom, Shine, and Elizabeth was a special time. It was awe-inspiring to watch these stories unfold into iconic works of cinematic art, and it was thrilling to be a part of that. It’s good to receive the recognition of awards but the real reward is the work itself, having the opportunity to weave layers of music into the fabric of a film. A stand-out film-scoring experience was The Railway Man (2013). Set in a Japanese labour camp in Thailand during World War 2, it is a story so extraordinary it’s hard to believe it is true. The themes of PTSD (undiagnosed in those times), bravery and forgiveness inspired a simple melody based on a Japanese minor pentatonic scale. Blending Japanese instrumentation – the shakuhachi and koto – with English orchestral sonorities, it felt like a deep creative wave at the time. It was an honour to be part of that story.
Reflecting on your time at Ballarat Grammar…
Being part of the Grammar community really helped bring me out of my shy introspective shell. Community engagement such as singing in the School choir, playing clarinet, bass clarinet and baritone saxophone in the School orchestra, and eventually being honoured with an appointment as School prefect (Captain of Music) gave me a sense of belonging and purpose. There was so much wonderful cultural stimulation that came from being in the Ballarat Grammar Music School community, from going on excursions to the city to hear music and meet musicians, to performing in local Ballarat music theatre productions, participating in concerts in and out of Ballarat, and singing in some beautiful old churches in provincial Victoria.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
