Michael Doherty

Michael Doherty was born in Derry. Initially opting to focus on the violin, he received frequent training from members of the Brodsky and Medici String Quartets. In 2002 he won a violin scholarship to the internationally acclaimed Apple Hill Summer School in New Hampshire, USA, where he also became fascinated with chamber music composition.

In 2008, he graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with first class honours and became a Sound and Music Shortlisted composer for his concert work. Upon graduating, he became an orchestrator for the Oscar-winning composer Gabriel Yared, honing his talent in screen composition. Since 2011 he has worked as a composer and orchestrator for BBC and Channel 4 productions, including Jeremy Paxman’s “Britain’s Great War” and the third series of “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.” He has also worked as a composer and orchestrator in Spanish cinema since 2010, scoring for films that have won awards at the Berlinale and San Sebastian film festivals.

He has had his work performed by several of the world’s leading ensembles including the Bratislava Philharmonic Orchestra, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, the Liverpool Philharmonic’s Ensemble 10/10 and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet.