Herman Witkam is one of the new breed of cinematic composers. Not only does he write all the notes but he also performs many of the instruments heard in his scores. Working as a film composer since 2005, Herman Witkam has already established a long list of credits, including composing for over 100 features, shorts, television series, TV and radio ads, games, corporate films, events and theater projects. Since age of 8 Herman has been composing and playing woodwinds, improvisation being a key part of his composition process. While in music college, he discovered the mournful sound of the Armenian duduk and got into contact with Arthur Grygorian, who built the instruments for legendary musician Djivan Gasparyan . Soon after, Herman started playing instruments from all over the world, like the Japanese shakuhachi and Native American flutes. Using these in his scoring work along with innovative composing techniques brings to the screen a different kind of musicality.
Is a multi-instrumentalist, playing over 50 different instruments originating from 5 different continents. Including Armenian Duduk, Native American flutes, Chinese flutes & reeds, Indian Bansuri, Nigerian Udu, Bolivian Quena, Peruvian Cajon and Japanese Shamisen.
Frequently collaborates with Siddhartha Barnhoorn.
Has played in various bands during his high school period, playing bass guitar, electric guitar and as a vocalist, playing music in a range of styles between jazz-fusion and progressive rock.
Favorite film composers include Bernard Herrmann , Tru Takemitsu , Ennio Morricone , Angelo Badalamenti and Howard Shore.
Has in the past frequently participated as a composer and sound designer in the DVXuser.com online short film competitions, having won Best Score for Rekindled on DVXUser HorrorFest and the Sound Design Award on DVXUser Lovefest.
Graduate of the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) in Rotterdam.
Holds a masters degree in Music Composition in Context from the Utrecht School of the Arts. Wrote a thesis about conceptual sound design for film.
