Mark Orton, founding member of the genre-bending acoustic chamber ensemble Tin Hat, is making a mark in the world of film scoring, employing his distinctive abilities over a range of films that come from the heart. Orton is well known for his quirky, heartfelt score to Alexander Payne’s Academy Award-nominated film Nebraska. He recently collaborated with Payne once more on the upcoming Focus Features film The Holdovers, which stars Paul Giamatti as the reluctant host to a couple of stragglers left behind during winter vacation at an exclusive private boarding school. Orton’s recent work also includes this year’s Ray Romano-directed feature debut Somewhere in Queens, co-starring Laurie Metcalf and Jennifer Esposito. He also recently worked with Barack Obama's Higher Ground Productions, scoring the documentary series Working: What We Do All Day.

Orton’s sweeping orchestral score to the Sony Classics film 12 Mighty Orphans is a favorite of film score buffs. He’s also worked with Pixar, scoring the short film Loop. Orton has also done extensive work songwriting and arranging for films and records. He collaborated with Eric Idle on songs for Boxtrolls, (Laika/Focus Features), as well as co-writing and arranging the song "Helium" for the Fernando Merielles feature 360. As an arranger, Mark has worked with artists that include Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Mike Patton, and Madeline Peyroux. In addition, he continues to compose music for modern dance, radio drama, the circus, and the concert hall. He is a frequent contributor to both radio and podcast programming including This American Life, All Things Considered, the Headlong series, and Wind of Change.

An alumnus of the Peabody Conservatory and the Hartt School of Music, Mark was the recipient of a Sundance Institute Composer Fellowship and was nominated Best New Composer by the International Film Music Critics Association. He is a multi-instrumentalist and collector of antique and unusual musical instruments, which he often employs in his scores. He lives in The Great Pacific Northwest with his wife and son.

SCL Screening + Q&A: THE HOLDOVERS