Andrew Callaghan

Andrew Callaghan is a Lecturer in Composition for Creative Industries and Film Music History at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney. As a composer, sound designer, researcher, and educator, his work spans Hollywood scoring practices, documentary aesthetics, and interactive music technologies.

• Research interests: Screen music, post-truth, interactive media
• Teaching areas: Film Music Survey, Screen Composition
• Current projects: Book on music for true-story films, digital theatre score, interactive works for children

His research investigates how music contributes to realism and truth-claims in narrative and documentary media, analyzing composers like John Williams and Hildur Guðnadóttir. Creative projects focus on technology-driven audience connection, including interactive installations at major Australian venues. Awards include the Conservatorium Director’s Award for doctoral research and Unconformity Residency.

Recent publications and presentations examine inaudible scoring techniques, musical indexicality, and ethical sound design in documentary media. His compositions have been featured at Cannes, ABC/ABC TV, and international festivals.