鈥擝y Kim Mizar
From critically acclaimed documentaries to Super Bowl commercials, New York-based composer Jay Wadley (BM 鈥�05) has created scores heard by millions. Upon graduation from OCU, Wadley attended the Yale School of Music and graduated with his MM and Artist Diploma.
He has won two Charles Ives awards from the Academy of Arts and Letters as well as an ASCAP/SCI Student Composer Award for his concert music. He鈥檚 been commissioned by Carnegie Hall鈥檚 Ensemble ACJW, the Yale Band, Williams College and the Nouveau Classical Project and invited as a guest lecturer on composition at Yale, The Peabody institute, NYU, OCU, and Kennesaw State University. His arrangements and orchestrations for Rufus Wainwright, Mark Ronson, and Calexico have been performed by the San Francisco Symphony, New York City Opera, the Royal Ballet, and the Louisville Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Put in the work, put in the effort, develop relationships, and do good work.
鈥淛ay Wadley entered OCU overflowing with talent,鈥� said Dr. Edward Knight, professor of music/composer in residence at OCU. 鈥淗e began as a double major in Music Theater and Composition, so he could sing, dance, act, play numerous instruments, and compose. He represents the quintessential composer at OCU, one who can do it all.鈥�
Jay is a former president of Project 21: Music of the 21st Century, which Knight founded in 1997. The group was and still is committed to bringing original musical works to life as they strive to gain insight into the working knowledge of music. 鈥淭hey each draw from their cultural and musical backgrounds to enrich the program,鈥� said Knight. 鈥淧roject 21 composers learn through experience, developing compositional techniques that allow them to express their authentic selves.鈥�
Wadley鈥檚 time at OCU was his introduction into the world of composition. 鈥淪tudying under Dr. Knight was an incredible experience. He was instrumental in my success; he laid the groundwork that helped me to develop my voice as a composer,鈥� said Wadley.
Wadley鈥檚 first professional score was for the television program 鈥淟ie To Me鈥� on Fox as the additional composer, where he learned the fast-paced schedule of television.
He founded his company, Found Objects, with Trevor Gureckis. They have eight full-time staff and 15 to 20 advertising projects going at any given time and have recently moved into a 4,300-square-foot studio in Brooklyn. Wadley鈥檚 experience working with composer Philip Glass greatly influenced his business style.
鈥淭hrough Philip, I learned about scoring for advertising. I restructured my company to reflect Philip鈥檚 infrastructure, making a living doing ad work while also developing contacts and moving into films,鈥� he said.
Wadley鈥檚 first film score, James Schamus鈥� 鈥淚ndignation,鈥� premiered at Sundance in 2016 to rave reviews, opening new doors and affording him new opportunities. He credits much of his success to his time at OCU and the professors who prepared him.
鈥淭o have a professor who cares as much as Ed does about his students鈥� success is incredible. I owe so much to Ed. He instilled a work ethic in me as a young composer. I was given the foundation that allows me to compete in a very competitive industry,鈥� he said.
Wadley鈥檚 upcoming releases include Charles Kaufman鈥檚 鈥淚鈥檓 Thinking of Ending Things,鈥� an untitled documentary series from Roger Ross Williams (鈥淟ife Animated,鈥� 鈥淎pollo鈥�), and the Sundance NEXT Audience and Innovation award-winning 鈥淚 Carry You With Me,鈥� directed by Heidi Ewing (鈥淛esus Camp,鈥� 鈥淒etropia鈥�).
鈥淏eing contacted by Charles Kaufman was the most exciting and most terrifying phone call of my life, but this project allows me to incorporate skills I鈥檝e been able to acquire over the years,鈥� he said.
Wadley has received awards and accolades for his work, including his score for James Schamus鈥� 鈥淚ndignation鈥� (Lionsgate), which was featured in Indie Wire鈥檚 鈥�10 Best Scores of 2016鈥� and received a Billboard premiere and a concert performance by the Winnipeg Symphony for 鈥淪oundtracks Live.鈥� His recent projects include 鈥淭ales of the City鈥� (Netflix/Universal) starring Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, and Ellen Page; Emmy-nominated 鈥淩aised in the System鈥�; 鈥淰ICE鈥� season 6 premier (HBO), Rhys Ernst鈥檚 (鈥淭ransparent鈥�) directorial debut 鈥淎dam鈥�; Andrew Ahn鈥檚 (鈥淪pa Night鈥�) 鈥淭he OA鈥� (Netflix/Plan-B); Anu Valia鈥檚 Sundance-winning short 鈥淟ucia, Before & After鈥�; and Jacob La Mendola鈥檚 Emmy-nominated 鈥淟ong Shot鈥� (Netflix). His films have played at Sundance, Telluride, SXSW, Berlin, Rotterdam, Tribeca, BFI London, LA Film Festival, Montreal, and others.
鈥淢y advice to future composers is that there鈥檚 not one path or one way,鈥� he said. 鈥淧ut in the work, put in the effort, develop relationships, and do good work; things will happen.鈥�
