Nigel Westlake facts for kids

Nigel Westlake (born 6 September 1958) is an Australian composer, musician, and conductor. He has created music for many films, including Ali's Wedding, Paper Planes, Miss Potter, and Babe. He also wrote the famous theme music for SBS World News.

About Nigel Westlake

Nigel Westlake was born in Sydney, Australia. His father, Donald Westlake, was a main clarinet player for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Nigel learned to play the clarinet from his father. He left school early to focus on his music career.

By the time he was 17, Nigel was traveling all over Australia and the world. He played the clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone with many different groups. These included ballet companies, a circus, and various music bands and orchestras.

In 1983, Nigel studied bass clarinet and composition in the Netherlands. The next year, in 1984, he became a composer for ABC Radio National. From 1987 to 1992, he was a clarinet player with The Australia Ensemble. He also joined a group called Attacca with famous guitarist John Williams.

In 2008, Nigel Westlake started the Smugglers of Light Foundation. He created this foundation in memory of his son, Eli. The foundation helps young people and Indigenous Australian communities. It uses music and film to teach about different cultures and help people feel strong and capable.

Nigel Westlake's Family Life

Nigel Westlake is married to Jan Loquet Westlake. They have two sons. Nigel composed a special piece of music called Missa Solis - Requiem for Eli in memory of his son, Eli. This music was first performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in February 2011.

Movies with Nigel Westlake's Music

Nigel Westlake has composed music for many films. Here are some of them:

• Candy Regentag (1989)
• Antarctica (1991)
• Babe (1995)
• Children of the Revolution (1996)
• Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
• The Nugget (2002)
• Miss Potter (2006)
• Paper Planes (2015)
• Ali's Wedding (2017)
• Blueback (2022)

Awards and Recognitions

Nigel Westlake has won many awards for his music.

• In 1985, he won the Jazz Action Society Composition Competition.
• In 1988, he won a Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival.
• In 2004, he received the HC Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship.
• In 2012, he was given an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of New South Wales.

Film and Music Industry Awards

Nigel Westlake has been recognized by several important award ceremonies for his work in film and music.

AACTA Awards

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards celebrate achievements in Australian film and TV.

• In 2015, he was nominated for Best Original Music Score for Paper Planes.
• In 2017, he was nominated for Best Original Score for Ali's Wedding.

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards recognize great songwriting and music performance in Australia and New Zealand.

• In 1992, he won for "Refractions at Summer Cloud Bay" (Contemporary Classical Composition of the Year).
• In 1996, he won Best Film Score for Babe.
• In 1998, he won Most Performed Classical Work for The Edge.
• In 1999, he won Most Performed Contemporary Classical Composition for "Laikan".
• In 2003, he won Best Feature Film Score for The Nugget.
• In 2005, he won Instrumental Work of the Year for Six Fish and Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie for Hell Has Harbour Views.
• In 2007, he won Best Performance of an Australian Composition for "When the Clock Strikes Me". He also won Feature Film Score of the Year and Best Soundtrack Album for Miss Potter, and Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie for Stepfather of the Bride.
• In 2008, he won Best Performance of an Australian Composition for Rare Sugar.
• In 2012, he won Work of the Year – Orchestral for Missa Solis – Requiem for Eli.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards celebrate excellence in Australian music.

• In 2014, he won Best Classical Album for Compassion with Lior and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
• In 2017, he won Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album for Ali's Wedding (soundtrack).

Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards

• In 1997, he won Best Original Music for Babe.

International Film Music Critics Award (IFMCA)

• In 2007, he won Best Original Score for a Comedy Film for Miss Potter.