Robert Duncan (composer)

Robert Duncan is a Canadian composer of film and television music.[1] He has composed music for such TV series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Castle; as well as films such as Butterfly on a Wheel and Into the Blue 2: The Reef.[2] He has been associated with writer/producer Shawn Ryan, composing some of his produced TV shows including The Unit, Lie to Me, Timeless and more recently S.W.A.T.. He has received fourteen ASCAP awards.

Robert Duncan
BornToronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Musical Composer
Instrument(s)Organ, trumpet, drums, piano, guitar
Websiteduncanmusic.com

Early life

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Duncan was born into a family with deep musical history.[2] His great-grandfather arranged music for silent films in England and other relatives were closely affiliated with two of England's prominent composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.[2] As a child he attended the Claude Watson School of the Performing Arts and in sixth grade he composed his first piece of music.[3] At age 16 in high school, he landed his first gig scoring a promotional video for the local Board of Education.[3] As an extra curricular activity, Duncan studied the pipe organ and trumpet[3] before later earning a bachelor's degree in music at York University.[2]

Career

After graduating, Duncan spent the next 5 years apprenticing with two Canadian composers[4] and participated in the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop.[3] He wanted to do more, wanted to write scores for live orchestra but he thought the chances of succeeding in Canada were slim[4] so in 2001[5] he moved to Los Angeles, Hollywood.[4] Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, Duncan was hired as a series composer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[3] The show later ended, but soon after he started to land his own television and film scoring assignments.[2] Landing many small screen projects including "The Chicago Code", "Terriers", "The Gates", "Lie to Me", "The Unit", Point Pleasant, "Tru Calling" and S.W.A.T.,[5] it is his work on "Castle" that he is best known for.

Instruments

Duncan uses a variety of traditional and peculiar objects and instruments to create his scores. These objects include; grand pianos, deconstructed pianos, metal brushes, hot rod exhaust pipes, fire extinguishers, trumpet, guitar, pipe organ, a variety of drums, and even objects from junk yards all over Los Angeles.[3]

Cameos

Duncan made on screen appearances on "Castle" Season 4, Episode 14 “The Blue Butterfly” in the opening scene as a jazz club pianist on the baby grand piano as well as Season 8, Episode 8 "Mr. and Mrs. Castle" as a cruise ship pianist.[6]

Scores

Television series
Year Show Notes
1996PSI Factor: Chronicles of the ParanormalCo-composed with Lou Natale
2001Starhunter
2001Blue MurderCo-composed with Lou Natale
2002Buffy the Vampire Slayer
2003Tru Calling
2005Point Pleasant
2006The Unit[2]
2006Vanished
2009Castle
2009Lie to Me
2010The Gates[2]
2010Terriers[2]
2011The Chicago Code[2]
2012Last Resort
2012Missing
2014Rush
2016The Family
2016Mad Dogs
2016-18Timeless
2017-23S.W.A.T.
2018The Crossing
2018 Take Two
2021-23 The Equalizer
2023 The Night Agent

Film
YearFilm
2005Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave
2005Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis
2007Butterfly on a Wheel
2009Into the Blue 2: The Reef[2]
2011The Entitled
2017Spark (2016 film)

References
  1. "Robert Duncan (FSW 2001)". ASCAP. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  2. Robert Duncan at IMDb
  3. "Robert Duncan". Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  4. "Castle TV". Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  5. "TV Guide". Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  6. "Wetpaint". Retrieved 2012-09-30.
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