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Dale Sumner – Music Composer, Southampton

  • Member (3 years 2 months 14 days)
  • Screened Music Composer (3 years 1 months 1 days)

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Biography

Image of Dale Sumner

Since 2000 Dale has been active in solo and collaborative album projects. Many of his tracks for the Buddha Experience project (EMI/Diskey) have been re-released. Able to write in most styles and genres, his special field is scoring silent films.

He has scored over sixty films, documentaries and corporate videos, and in addition to this lectures on the history of film music and the importance of music & sound for the visual medium. Currently he is exclusive composer for Solent University’s commercial film unit, providing original music for all their corporate and documentary productions. More recently he has become involved in writing for the stage, and has just successfully completed a commission for The Nuffield Theatre in Southampton (May 2009).

In 2006 he was one of twelve out of fifteen hundred short listed for the BBC New Talent TV Composer competition.

When composing for the screen Dale is always seeking to tap into the ‘emotional well’ from which the drama (whether fictional or non fictional) draws its strength from, his ambition being to communicate this emotion through music so that the image and music become one. He has a deep interest in the emotional impact that music and visuals have, as well as the ‘language’ of music and how this is interpreted.

Composing Information

  • Classification: Established
  • Profession: Composer
  • Primary Sequencer: Cubase
  • Operating System: PC
  • Projects: ‘Spirit of India’, ‘Highland Memories’, ‘Egypt’, (Global Journey 2000-2002), ‘Buddha Experience’ Project with Phil Thornton (EMI/Diskey 2002), ‘Spirit Guides’ (Bluedot music/Diskey 2002), ‘Arts4Every1’ - TV Documentary series Block & Ball Productions (2003), ‘Diversity’, (Southampton City Council 2005), ‘Get ahead, Get a Hat’ (Solent Uni Clearance advert, Channel 4 Aug 2008), ‘Spring Awakening’, (play – Solent Uni – Nov 2008), ‘The House of Bernada Alba’ (play – Nuffield Theatre May 2009). Currently exclusive composer for all corporate/docu projects with Solent University (2007-present), and working on a number of collaborative and solo album projects.
  • Relevant Qualifications: Grade 5 Pianoforte (Associated Board/London)Grade 6 Theory (Associated Board/London)Grade 5 Tenor Horn (Associated Board)

Contact Information

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Film & TV MusicTracks

  • Summary:
  • Panel Highly recommended 4 Recommended track 2
  • Composers Highly recommended 9 Recommended track 8
  • Members Highly recommended 3 Recommended track 2
Title Moods Genres Posted Comments Recommendations
Android Assassin
    Energetic
    Suspense
    Electronica
    Orchestral
768
days ago
3 I love this track iconI love this track iconI like this track icon
7
Autumn (trailer)
    Atmospheric
    Electronica
    Orchestral
1051
days ago
1 I love this track icon
3
Child's Dream (extract)
    Atmospheric
    Dramatic
    Orchestral
1023
days ago
0
0
Clock of the Four Apocolypses (extract)
    Dark
    Dramatic
    Epic
    Orchestral
1119
days ago
2 I love this track iconI like this track icon
4
Corpse Candles
    Dark
    Suspense
    Atmospheric
    Orchestral
    Piano
836
days ago
1 I like this track icon
1
Diversity (extract)
    Cheerful
    Atmospheric
    Electronica
    Dance
    Orchestral
1110
days ago
0
0
Double Crossing & Friendship
    Dramatic
    Electronica
    Orchestral
1089
days ago
1 I like this track icon
1
Dragon's Dream (extract)
    Epic
    Atmospheric
    Electronica
    Orchestral
546
days ago
0
0
Dreams of Dhamar
    Energetic
    Electronica
    World
1119
days ago
3 I love this track iconI like this track iconI like this track icon
5
Fever (training scene)
    Dramatic
    Energetic
    Electronica
    Orchestral
594
days ago
0
0
Galapagos Islands
    Atmospheric
    Dramatic
    Epic
    Orchestral
    Electronica
1147
days ago
10 I love this track iconI love this track iconI love this track iconI love this track iconI love this track iconI love this track iconI like this track iconI like this track iconI like this track iconI like this track icon
22
Great Siege of Malta (work track)
    Dramatic
    Energetic
    Orchestral
537
days ago
1 I love this track icon
3
Guilty (trailer)
    Dark
    Energetic
    Electronica
978
days ago
0
0
Hornet Wars
    Atmospheric
    Dark
    Dramatic
    Orchestral
1120
days ago
5 I love this track iconI love this track iconI love this track iconI like this track iconI like this track icon
11
Itchen Navigation Project (extracts)
    Atmospheric
    Energetic
    Orchestral
426
days ago
0
0
Manic
    Dark
    Atmospheric
    Orchestral
401
days ago
0
0
Masquerade
    Atmospheric
    Orchestral
1110
days ago
0
0
Matthew's Present (extract)
    Sentimental
    Easy Listening
1042
days ago
1 I like this track icon
1
One Step Ahead
    Dramatic
    Energetic
    Epic
    Orchestral
    Electronica
596
days ago
0
0
Prepare for Battle (extract)
    Epic
    Dramatic
    Orchestral
978
days ago
0
0
Spring Awakening (extracts)
    Atmospheric
    Sentimental
    Dark
    Orchestral
    Piano
596
days ago
1 I love this track icon
3
Tales of the Polygon
    Cheerful
    Fun
    Bright
    Brass
768
days ago
0
0
The House of Bernada Alba (extracts)
    Atmospheric
    Orchestral
457
days ago
0
0
The Unstoppable Man
    Energetic
    Dramatic
    Orchestral
1030
days ago
0
0
Voices (open and end credit)
    Dark
    Dramatic
    Orchestral
    Electronica
1023
days ago
0
0

Ratings & Reviews Summary

Key: Highly recommended = Highly Recommended Recommended track = Recommended
Panellists Rodney Newton loves this track!Tim Keep loves this track!Jo Taylor loves this track!Rodney Newton loves this track!Mark Fishlock likes this track.Elizabeth Alker likes this track.
Composers Matt Dunkley loves this track!Edward White loves this track!Andy Quin loves this track!Ashley Paul Morrison loves this track!Andy Quin loves this track!Dov Waterman loves this track!Amir Khalaf loves this track!Olivia Dixon loves this track!Olivia Dixon loves this track!Amir Khalaf likes this track.Andy Quin likes this track.Steve Luck likes this track.Ashley Paul Morrison likes this track.Johan van der Voet likes this track.Johan van der Voet likes this track.Amir Khalaf likes this track.Johan van der Voet likes this track.
Members 'Team Picks' loves this track!consuelo scivoletto loves this track!Jonny Mantle loves this track!Helen Lovett likes this track.Steve Molesworth likes this track.

Composing Genres

Dale composes in the following film and television music genres (bold = specialises in):

  • Ambient
  • Choral
  • Dance
  • Easy Listening
  • Electronica
  • Experimental
  • Jazz
  • Orchestral
  • Piano
  • Strings
  • Urban
  • World
  • Woodwind
  • Brass

Music recommended by Dale Sumner

Tempest by Film & TV ComposerOlivia Dixon

I like this. I could hear this on a high budget TV production. Good mix too. It is supposed to end abruptly like that? If so it adds nicely to the overall feel of the piece.
3 years 22 days

Helicopter (EON Commercial) by Film & TV ComposerRob Manning

I saw the television advert for this last night - very good. I like it; makes me feel happy!
3 years 16 days

Rollers and Breakers by Film & TV ComposerRodney Newton

I like all your Seascape pieces, but I like this one most of all. As well as being an excellent interpretation of the title, it also reminds me of the bygone days of film scoring. A very accomplished piece and certainly an inspiration for me.
2 years 11 months 19 days

Romantic Embrace by Film & TV ComposerSimon Lambros

Very accomplished and very good arrangement. I like this.
2 years 11 months 19 days

Troubled Land by Film & TV ComposerAndy Quin

Nice blend of rock and orchestra - very polished and professional. Well done Andy.
2 years 10 months 10 days

Anatomy For Beginners by Film & TV ComposerAl Lethbridge

I think I actually saw this programme and it was the most bizarre thing to witness. The music is perfect - and does exactly what you say it does - really nice job.
2 years 10 months 8 days

Tibetan Mystery by Film & TV ComposerAndy Quin

Wow - this is very beautiful. I actually stopped listening critically and was enjoying it as a piece of music in its own right. You don't say what it was specifically used for/over so can't comment on its suitability, but nonetheless a very lovely piece. (Did you do the throat singing?!!)
2 years 9 months 29 days

A Passing Whale by Film & TV ComposerElizabeth Parker

Wonderful - I felt I was there.
2 years 9 months 29 days

Remember Love by Film & TV ComposerTony Patterson

Delicious! I agree with Andy though - it changed from chocolate to something else - nice recording though.
2 years 9 months 29 days

In to Work (from 'Mossley Mill') by Film & TV ComposerRobert Jarvis

Very interesting - I like this. The repeated vocal phrase at the end struck me as very poignant in view of how hard a life it was working in the mill industry
2 years 9 months 25 days

Bouncing Around by Film & TV ComposerAndy Quin

Nice one - really like this.
2 years 9 months 12 days

Entomophonix by Film & TV ComposerRobert Jarvis

Very interesting - I like this. Once again you push the boundaries of music creation (as with 'In to Work'). I would be happy to watch a montage of wildlife documentary with this track only without ‘traditional’ music. In addition to this I am really impressed that the entire piece is made from original recordings. I would be interested to hear what you would create using bird song – you should give it a go!
2 years 8 months 27 days

Galapagos by Film & TV ComposerJames Jones

Really like this - nice job! I agree with Anne: you created a nice full sound using a small ensemble, and in view of the fact that you don't credit any players I assume you used samples? If you did then I am very impressed with how you have made sound like they are played - never easy!
2 years 3 months 8 days

Creeping Light by Film & TV ComposerMax Wilson

Exceptional. It took me somewhere the more I listened to it. mmm... you've really got me thinking now! The title is absolutely spot on, and the recording is really good - nice one.
2 years 3 months 8 days

Battleground by Film & TV ComposerJules Bromley

Blimey! You wanna stop taking the drugs! This would not sound out of place on film or TV – very good production. I agree with David Lowe - the drops are great; you avoid repetition but keep the overall theme over the duration. I too have listened more than once - this is a really good piece!
2 years 29 days

Headspace by Film & TV ComposerRussell Dawson-Butterworth

I think I would need to see it to picture to be able to give proper feedback, but the track itself is really atmospheric and I could see this working with all kinds of shots/images. Nice job Russell. What kind of images were you working to?
1 years 7 months 12 days

Father and Son by Film & TV ComposerMatt Dunkley

This is good - what a difference a real orchestra makes! The mix is excellent and the arrangement is good. Sounds very confident and big, but without all the unnecessary 'crashes and bangs' you hear in sooo many other film scores at the moment!
1 years 5 months 12 days

The Execution by Film & TV ComposerMatt Dunkley

Brilliant - this is really excellent - you are starting to make me doubt my own talents now! (only kidding!) This is what I call good proper music.
1 years 5 months 11 days

Predator by Film & TV ComposerRobert Jarvis

Very interesting - and very different. The track is so atmospheric that it could lend itself ideally to a whole variety of visuals. This to me is soundscaping at its best. Nice job Robert - do some more! I'd be interested to know what the children who worked with you on this thought of it after you had completed it.
1 years 5 months 10 days

Other Reviews by Dale Sumner

Feature Comment

"Myself and fellow composer David Wainwright, run the music production team Verbal Vigilante Music. In December 2007 we won Channel 4's 4Talent Award for our soundtrack work. I see these Awards as an......"
Jode Steele on the Feature Talent Competitions — Do They Deliver?

May Composer Offer:
15% discount on online mastering at their world-renowned recording studio Abbey Road

Successful mastering depends upon the involvement of a highly trained, skilled engineer, the appropriate combination of traditional and state-of-the-art equipment, plus an ideal acoustic environment.

28 Jul 16:49

MagicWaltz by Roger Pasto Cortina

I like this track icon
24 Jul 15:55

Prayer by Lila Senior

21 Jul 19:59

Voices Orff by David Gosnell

28 Jul 17:07

Prayer by Lila Senior

  • “Very nice track Lila! I'm sure it works really good on the scene.…”
  • Roger Pasto Cortina (Composer)
16 Jul 15:19

Shooting the War: Threnody by Joseph Atkins

  • “World War II is hardly synonymous with anything other than bleak, oppressive and dark times and this piece encapsulates the mood perfectly. Good stuff.…”
  • Ben Walter (Panellist)
07 Jul 02:21

Jana Non Regina by Elizabeth Levine

  • “I'm with Alex on this one, Elizabeth. Outstanding.…”
  • Ed David Watkins (Composer)

Featured Composer Joris de Man

Joris de Man

Screened Music Composer Joris de Man has won the Ivor Novello award for Best Video Game Score, the first time the category was included at the Ivors. More

Screened Music is for…

  • Professional film and television composers
  • Composers wishing to attend technical seminars
  • Industry professionals who wish to attend screening showcase events
  • Music commissioners who wish to contact our composers
  • Anyone with an interest in film and television music

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