Biography
Christopher de Groot is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and educator whose work spans film, theatre and live performance. Trained as a pianist and composer, his practice is grounded in a deep interest in sound, collaboration and the relationship between music and narrative.
He has composed for feature films, short films and theatre productions, receiving nominations for APRA Screen Music Awards and multiple Western Australian Screen Awards, and a Green Room Award for his work in theatre. His output also includes large-scale original works, recordings and interdisciplinary projects that draw on interests in experimental music, electronics and non-Western traditions including Balinese gamelan.
Alongside his compositional work, de Groot maintains an active performance practice. As a bassist and bandleader in musical theatre and contemporary ensembles, he brings a composer’s perspective to live performance—combining strong reading skills, stylistic versatility and a refined sense of ensemble.
An experienced educator, he has taught composition, theory and aural studies at tertiary level and continues to work closely with developing musicians and ensembles. Across all areas of his work, de Groot is driven by a curiosity for sound and a commitment to collaborative music-making.
Selected Credits
Dream Home (Darebin Arts Speakeasy) — Green Room Award, Best Music & Sound Design
Sororal (feature film) — APRA Screen Music Award nomination; soundtrack released internationally
The River (Red Stitch Theatre) — Green Room Award nomination
The Director’s Cut (feature film) — Western Australian Screen Award winner (Best Music)
Composer for 4 feature films, 15+ short films and multiple theatre productions
Performer (bass) — Mamma Mia! The Musical
Composer of Löpez — 85-minute one-voice opera
Member and performer — Gamelan DanAnda (Balinese gong kebyar ensemble)
Lecturer in composition, theory and aural studies — WAAPA; CollArts
Arranger, conductor and bandleader for student and professional ensembles
“Christopher de Groot is incredible and has created something that falls somewhere between Les Baxter, Delia Derbyshire, John Zorn and Bernard Herrmann. It’s a sci/fi, exotica, noir nightmare and I think people are going to love it.”
“Christopher de Groot ‘s live music ranges from minimalist score to bassy, mood driven soundscapes. Hidden behind the perspex set, his omnipotent presence is felt in the entire production.”
“Christopher de Groot’s music is some of the most refreshing and eclectic horror music to be heard in a contemporary film – while it’s paying tribute to the genre masters (Goblin, Morricone et al) it is also totally unique, challenging and highly original. A nasty score filled with surprises!”
“The event itself was spectacular: the black and white film was mesmerising on the big screen, the amplified ensemble with electronics created a huge sound”
De Groot at the 2014 APRA Screen Music Awards
Melbourne's only 7-piece exotica band SLIDE NIGHT
Brass recording sessions - Sororal
Still shot from Dream Home - photo by Pia Johnson.
Still shot from Persona - photo by Heath McKinley
“The Sororal soundtrack is haunting, eerie and yet discordantly beautiful. Goblin, Tangerine Dream and Morricone can be creepy; this is mind-bending. It’s as if de Groot is channeling Goblin, yet elevating their sound into a modern, more orchestral complexity. ‘Diana Rolls into Town’, for instance, is a masterpiece in re-imagined giallo: histrionic and yet assured and gripping. It makes my head hurt.”
Aaron Sterns – Scriptwriter, Wolf Creek 2