Composer, Orchestrator, Conductor, Sound Designer

Nathan Cummins is a composer, orchestrator, conductor, and sound designer based in Adelaide, South Australia. He holds a PhD in Sonic Arts and Music Composition from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and his work spans concert performance, video games, film scores, and interactive media.

With a practice grounded in orchestral craft and enriched by technological innovation, Nathan creates music and sound that is vibrant, immersive, and deeply connected to its medium. His work ranges from symphonic writing and choral music through to jazz and electronic sound worlds.

Nathan is passionate about the power of music and sound to shape stories, connect communities, and transform interactive experiences. Whether collaborating with game developers, film directors, choreographers, or fellow composers, he brings a combination of artistry, innovation, and pragmatism that makes him a versatile and distinctive voice in contemporary audio.

Composition

At the heart of Nathan's career is composition. His concert works have been performed by ensembles across Australia, and his music for video games is recognised for its distinctive voice and adaptability.

Recent projects include:

• Dungeons and Dining Tables : a cosy, highly orchestral score full of warmth and colour.
• Roc's Odyssey: an edgy, symphonic metal soundtrack blending excitement with orchestral grandeur.
• The Lion and the Mouse: a narrative work for orchestra (or wind orchestra) that aims to teach children about music and the instruments of the orchestra.

Nathan thrives on tailoring music to story and gameplay, crafting scores that not only support but heighten the emotional and narrative experience.

Orchestration

As an orchestrator, Nathan is highly sought after for his ability to bring clarity, energy, and colour to music across genres. His orchestrations have been performed and recorded internationally, ranging from intimate chamber textures to full symphonic works.

He is also an expert in preparing scores and parts for recording sessions, with a focus on legibility and efficiency. By translating the composer's intent into clear, practical sheet music, Nathan helps ensembles and composers save valuable time and money while ensuring players can deliver their best performance.

Conducting

Nathan is a versatile conductor with specialisations in concert performance, video game music, and studio recording. He is one of Australia’s leading directors of concerts featuring video game music, and is equally at home on the podium of a symphonic performance or in the precision-driven environment of a recording session.

Highlights of his conducting work include Music With Motion, a cross-media concert series tying the performance of video game music with live video projection, and Pixelated Symphonies, a landmark concert with the Adelaide Wind Orchestra that featured 14 newly commissioned video game arrangements by Nathan himself. His repertoire as a conductor spans contemporary media music, classical works, and cross-genre collaborations, always with a focus on clarity, energy, and connection with performers.

Nathan is also the Artistic Director of the Woodville Concert Band , an active, diverse, and inclusive community ensemble of around 45 members. Under his direction, the band has become a cultural hub, reflecting the motto “music played for the community, by the community.” Through performances that engage 8,000–9,000 community members annually, the ensemble promotes music education, fosters inclusivity, and provides a distinctive cultural offering that supports local industries and artists. Nathan’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the band’s vision of accessibility, culture, and community over profit, while still maintaining high artistic standards.

Sound Design

In addition to his musical practices, Nathan is an active sound designer for video games. His work is highly detailed and project-specific, creating soundscapes that respond dynamically to gameplay and integrate with music.

What sets Nathan apart is his ability to bridge music, sound, and technology. As a skilled software developer, he creates unique in-engine solutions for audio, and has developed his own middleware for FMOD that he implements across projects. This integrated approach allows him to deliver innovative, seamless sound design that enhances immersion.