About me
Photos by Eskil Kauppi
I'm a composer, musician, and sound engineer with a genuine passion for creating music. My musical journey began as a pianist, and over time, my interest in storytelling through sound led me to composition. After studying piano at Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola, I moved on to a bachelor’s degree in composition at the Malmö Academy of Music, where I’m now completing the second year of my master’s studies.
As a composer, I’m drawn to sound worlds that shift between light and shadow—between shimmering consonance and deep, murky dissonance. I often explore texture as a central element, using glissandi, harmonics, and aleatoric techniques to create immersive, atmospheric pieces.
In addition to composing, I’ve worked as a sound engineer on a range of projects, from studio recordings to live performances. I enjoy bridging the two worlds in composition of electroacoustic pieces.
As a musician, I try to perform as much as possible. Whether I’m writing, playing, or mixing, my goal is always the same: to create music that feels honest, meaningful and emotionally engaging.
Please feel welcome to contact me regarding compositions, arrangements, recordings, or other musical collaborations!
Press Biography
Short Version (Eng)
Ian Whiteford began his musical studies as a pianist. He studied piano at Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola, and composition at Malmö Academy of Music. During his composition studies at the MAM, he studied under renowned composers such as Bent Sørensen, Staffan Storm, and Rolf Martinsson.
Whiteford’s music is characterised by a strong interest in creating atmospheres and telling musical stories. His works often move between consonance and dissonance, where the listener is swept through shimmering and murky soundscapes — atmospheric textures lie at the core, with aleatoric elements lending the music a dynamic and spontaneous character.
Long Version (Eng)
Like many other composers, Ian Whiteford began his musical journey as a pianist. In 2019, he won a soloist scholarship at N3 Kulturskola for his piano playing. After studying for two years at Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola, with piano as his main instrument, he continued studying a bachelors programme in komposition at Malmö Academy of Music. He is currently studying the second year of the master's program in composition at Malmö Academy of Music.
During his time at Malmö Academy of Music, Whiteford has studied under prominent composers such as Bent Sørensen, Staffan Storm, and Rolf Martinsson. Through these studies, he has developed a high level of craftsmanship and artistic development.
Whiteford's music is characterised by a prominent focus on creating moods and telling musical stories. His compositions often move between consonance and dissonance, where the listener is thrown between shimmering and murky sound worlds. Glissandi and harmonics are frequently used to create atmospheric textures. Texture is a central element in his music, and aleatoric features contribute to a dynamic and spontaneous character.
He has collaborated with renowned musicians and ensembles such as Musica Vitae, Malin Broman, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Jönköping Sinfonietta, Håkan Hardenberger, Messiaen Quartet Copenhagen, and the Swedish Radio Choir. Additionally, he has several upcoming performances featuring chamber music, orchestral works, and solo pieces.
Short Version (Swe)
Ian Whiteford började sina musikstudier som pianist. Han har studerat piano på Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola och komposition på Musikhögskolan i Malmö. Under studierna på MHM har han bland annat studerat för framstående tonsättare som Bent Sørensen, Staffan Storm och Rolf Martinsson.
Whitefords musik präglas av ett starkt intresse för att skapa sinnesstämningar och berätta musikaliska historier. Hans musik rör sig ofta mellan konsonans och dissonans, där lyssnaren kastas mellan glittrande- och dunkla klangvärldar — atmosfäriska klanger står i centrum, med aleatoriska inslag som bidrar till en dynamisk och spontan karaktär.
Long Version (Swe)
Liksom många andra kompositörer började Ian Whiteford sin musikaliska resa som pianist. 2019 vann han ett soliststipendium på N3 kulturskola för sitt pianospel. Efter att ha studerat han två år vid Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola, med piano som huvudinstrument, började han på kandidatprogrammet i komposition vid Musikhögskolan i Malmö. Nu studerar Whiteford andra året på masterprogrammet i komposition vid Musikhögskolan i Malmö.
Under sin tid på Musikhögskolan i Malmö har Whiteford studerat för framstående tonsättare som Bent Sørensen, Staffan Storm och Rolf Martinsson. Genom dessa studier har han utvecklat en hög hantverksmässig- och konstnärlig nivå.
Whitefords musik präglas av ett starkt fokus på att skapa sinnesstämningar och berätta musikaliska historier. Hans musik rör sig ofta mellan konsonans och dissonans, där lyssnaren kastas mellan glittrande- och dunkla klangvärldar. Glissandon och flageoletter används ofta för att skapa atmosfäriska klanger. Texturen står i centrum för hans musik, med aleatoriska inslag som bidrar till att ge verken en dynamisk och spontan karaktär.
Han har samarbetat med framstående musiker och ensembler, såsom Musica Vitae, Malin Broman, Helsingborgs Symfoniorkester, Jönköping Sinfonietta, Håkan Hardenberger, Messiaen Quartet Copenhagen och Radiokören. Dessutom har han flera kommande framträdanden med kammarmusik, orkesterverk och soloinstrument.