Declan Postlethwaite.
Composer . Arranger . Educator
Declan Postlethwaite blends familiar sounds with a distinctive voice, using a cinematic style to inspire and engage young musicians. His music combines memorable melodies, rich harmonies, and idiomatic string writing that spark the imagination and evoke otherworldly landscapes. As a dedicated music educator, Declan believes in the transformative power of music to ignite curiosity, build connection, and nurture growth. He draws on deep expertise in young musicians’ development to create tailor-made pieces that are accessible yet challenging, empowering students to thrive and flourish.
Declan Postlethwaite is an Australian composer, arranger, orchestrator, educator and musician. He is a firm believer in the transformation nature of music and composes pieces which are accessible and enjoyable to all. Declan’s style is a combination of classical, film, jazz and minimalism. This creates a soundscape which doesn’t try to break any sonic boundaries; rather, his music plays with convention to create something familiar but new.
Declan composes music for a vairety of different mediums including classical art music, small jazz groups, film, T.V and chamber music. He is also an avid music educator and strings teacher. As a classically trained cellist and pianist he aims to create string orchestra works for new and aspiring young musicians.
"Sounds which emerge in the penetrating winter air"
— (Ozawa Go, music critic)
Declan Postlethwaite studies composition with the likes of Stuart Greenbaum, Melody Eotvos, Katy Abbott and Elliott Gyger. He graduated from Melbourne University in 2021 with an Honours of music composition and was awarded the "Melbourne Recital Centre & Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Composition Award’. Declan is also the recipient of the ‘Orman Exhibition Prize’ for obtaining the highest marks in music theory during his time as an undergraduate.
After graduating, Declan continues to further his composition career. He has been privileged to be commissioned by organisations such as the Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Composers League and the Moorable Light Orchestra. Declan is also an internationally recognised composer with performances in Australia and around the world. He firmly believes that music should be enjoyed by all and accessible to people of all walks of life - therefore; his music is grounded in tradition and accessibility to enrich the lives of others.
Declan Postlethwaite has also written soundtracks for several short films documentaries and T.V series. He thoroughly enjoys the collaboration process and thrives working with others either as a composer, arranger or sound engineer.