Biography

Roger Neill – Composer, Conductor, Multi-Instrumentalist

Roger Neill is a celebrated composer, conductor, and recording artist recognized for his distinctive and expressive scores across film, television, and video games. His diverse body of work includes acclaimed films such as 20th Century Women, Don’t Think Twice, Beginners, and Marie Antoinette, along with major television series such as Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle and Fox TV’s long-running animated hit King of the Hill. Known for his versatility and deep musical artistry, Neill seamlessly blends classical orchestration with contemporary sounds, electronica, and global musical influences. His masterful musicianship and innovative approach have made him one of the most sought-after composers in the industry.

Roger’s work has earned him numerous ASCAP, BMI and SESAC awards, an Emmy for King of the Hill, a Golden Globe for Mozart in the Jungle, and the LA Weekly Theater Critics Award for the operetta, The Beastly Bombing.

A native of Southern California, Neill grew up in El Cajon, a town where gun racks outnumber surfboards. He began playing music at the age of nine, exploring electric guitar and keyboards in bands while also mastering the flute in youth orchestras. His academic journey led him to the USC Thornton School of Music and Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Music Composition.

Film & Television

Neill has been especially active in film scoring, working with major studios and independent filmmakers alike. His recent projects include Zoey 102 (Paramount, 2023) and Darby and the Dead (20th Century Features, 2022), his second collaboration with director Silas Howard after A Kid Like Jake (2018). He also composed for Three Months (MTV Films, 2022), starring Troye Sivan and Ellen Burstyn, and the award-winning documentary Sam Now, distributed by Criterion.

His ongoing collaborations with directors include multiple projects with Mike Mills (20th Century Women, Beginners), Rachel Goldenberg (Valley Girl, Unpregnant), and Mike Birbiglia (Don’t Think Twice). Neill has also contributed music to This American Life and various projects with host Ira Glass, including live productions and a Google-backed collaboration.

Video Games & Animation

Neill has been a strong presence in the video game industry, contributing to dozens of titles, often in partnership with Danish composer Jesper Kyd. His music appears in blockbuster franchises such as Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Borderlands 2, Darksiders 2, State of Decay, Heroes & Generals, and Warhammer.

His work in animation spans an impressive range, including all thirteen seasons of King of the Hill, recorded with orchestra at Fox’s legendary Newman Scoring Stage. He has continued to compose for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, frequently collaborating with visionary animator JJ Villard on projects like JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales and King Star King.

Collaboration & Classical Music

Beyond composing, Neill is a sought-after arranger, orchestrator, and conductor, having worked with a diverse roster of artists, including Beck, Michael Jackson, The Kronos Quartet, John Legend, Sondre Lerche, Spoon, Stereolab, David Sylvian, and Kygo. He has enjoyed a long-standing creative relationship with French electronic duo AIR, leading orchestral performances with them at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Paris’ Salle Pleyel.

Neill also collaborated with Sofia Coppola on Marie Antoinette, acting as music producer, arranger, and historical consultant, as well as with Roman Coppola on Amazon Studio’s Mozart in the Jungle, serving as composer, script consultant and conducting coach for actors Malcolm McDowell and Gael García Bernal. His deep knowledge of classical music also led him to create the interstitial score for Chuck Lorre’s comedy Mom.

The Beastly Bombing is a critically acclaimed comic operetta, created and produced by Roger in collaboration with writer and director Julien Nitzberg. Their production enjoyed a highly successful run in Los Angeles, playing for a year and earning the LA Weekly Theater Critics Award for Best Musical. Its success led to subsequent productions in New York City, Chicago, and Amsterdam, further cementing its reputation as a provocative and entertaining work.

Musical Exploration & Honors

An avid world music specialist, Neill has studied Swahili music in Mombasa and Zanzibar under Ahmed Sheikh Nabhany, one of the foremost scholars of Kiswahili music. As a multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, guitars, basses, flutes, and an extensive collection of fretted stringed instruments, including the charango, cavaquinho, ukulele, dulcimer, and dobro—many of which feature prominently in his compositions.

Recognized for his contributions to music and media, Neill was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2020 and The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards) in 2023.

Roger is represented by Evolution Music Partners.