I’m aiming to raise £1000 to fund the recording of my next classical composition.
Hello,
I’m Charles Nelson.
I’m a music composer in my final year at the University of Salford, where I study Creative Music Technology. My path to university grew from a long-standing love of film music, especially the art of silent film accompaniment. That passion began when I was 7, after seeing Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns at The Lowry in Salford. Hearing Neil Brand’s accompaniment to Laurel and Hardy was a moment that stayed with me; it sparked a lifelong affection for silent films and their music.
I’ve always admired people like Neil Brand, Carl Davis, and Dr Jonathan Best for their dedication to promoting silent film music in the UK. Neil and Jonny, in particular, have shown me such kindness over the years. They didn’t have to take any notice of the curious, autistic kid with endless questions—but they did, and I’ll always be grateful for that generosity.
After leaving school, I completed a BTEC in Media and joined the Young Programmers Group at Storyhouse in Chester. Through that, I had the chance to introduce two historic silent films—The Kid (1921) and South (1919)—to public audiences.
But as I’ve grown, I’ve wanted more and more to create my own music for film. My university course has let me develop my skills in composing for the moving image, which I absolutely love, but it has also encouraged me to expand into classical composition. I’m especially inspired by composers who bridge both worlds, such as Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer.
As part of my studies, I have set up a small independent record label called NowClassica. Through it, Ihave just published a piece titled Andantino for Strings, recorded by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Hearing such a remarkable orchestra perform my music was an unforgettable experience. You can see a brief clip of the process on my YouTube.
Starting a micro-label and becoming a self-releasing artist has taught me a great deal. Looking ahead, I hope to support others like me in sharing their own compositions with the world. The journey has encouraged me to release more of my own work, and I’m now aiming to raise £1000 to go towards funding my next project.
Clip from composition demo (Bedtime in Provence): https://soundcloud.com/nowclassica/bedtime-in-provence-sound-clip/s-ihjzDkNqPQr?si=9ad9446223774315ad19f1da8a774c8e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
To find out more about me and my interests and projects, please see my social links.
Thank you so much for showing interest. I really appreciate all your help!
Charles
https://silentscreen.wordpress.com/
https://filmscorejunkie.blogspot.com/
This project successfully funded on 2nd May 2026