about the composer
Hi, I’m Griffin.
Griffin Hook (he/him/his) is a Canadian Composer, Trumpeter, and Music Educator based in Thornhill, Ontario. Known for writing music that is cinematic, imaginative, fresh, and animated; Griffin strives to create new music for wind ensemble and multi-media that highlights the beauty of Canadian nature, explores unique themes, and evoking emotion to produce exciting pieces and soundtracks that are enjoyable for musicians, conductors, ensembles, directors, game designers, and audiences alike. In the band and ensemble scene, Griffin has a vast and growing accessible and engaging collection of works that have been performed, recorded, workshopped, & premiered by professional and community ensembles across Canada, the United States, and Asia.
Griffin’s works have been recognized through numerous accolades, most notably as the recipient of the 2024 Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition from the Canadian Band Association and as a winner of the 2024 WASBE International Composition Contest in the emerging composer category. Additionally, he secured first place in the 2024 CFMTA Student Composer Contest and had his scores showcased at the 2024 Midwest Clinic as a WASBE-featured composer. These recent milestones are underpinned by a consistent history of musicianship, including being a three-time ORMTA Music Writing Competition Winner and a two-time Kiwanis Original Composition Contest Winner, in addition to over a decade of award-winning contributions at both municipal and provincial levels.
Griffin's academic foundation is deeply rooted in being a multi-faceted musician, composer, performer, and educator. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, and completed specialized postgraduate studies in the Music Scoring for Screen & Stage program at Sheridan College. Currently, he is furthering his commitment to the future of music education as a teacher candidate within Queen’s University’s Faculty of Education. Throughout his academic and professional work, Griffin has composed a diverse portfolio of original scores and soundtracks for various university and college initiatives across the Province of Ontario, garnering recognition with projects featured in film festivals and game design competitions both inside and outside of the province.
Beyond his work as a composer, Griffin brings a multifaceted skillset to the Canadian band community. As an active trumpet player, he regularly performs with diverse wind ensembles throughout the GTA. Griffin is the chief librarian of the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, is a former president of the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association, and has further helped community wind ensembles flourish through time spent as treasurer and personnel manager.
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289 Words
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awards
Cape Breton Skies
Winner, Canada
2024 Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition (Canadian Band Association)
Rocky Mountain Portraits
First-Place Winner, Canada
CFMTA Student Composer Competition 2024| Class D: Open
First-Place Winner, Ontario (Eleanor Marzetti Scholarship)
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2024 | Class D: Open
Thrill of Adventure
Winner, International
WASBE International Composition Contest 2024 | Category 3: Emerging Composers
A Hero's Quest
First-Place Winner, Toronto
Kiwanis Festival Original Composition 2024 | Ensemble: Age 19-28
The Witch Hunt
First-Place Winner, Ontario (Eleanor Marzetti Scholarship)
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2023 | Class D: Open
Pictures of Paricutin
First-Place Winner, Toronto
Kiwanis Festival Original Composition 2023 | Ensemble: Age 19-28
A Trumpeter's Lament
First-Place Winner, Ontario (Eleanor Marzetti Scholarship)
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2020 | Class D: Open
Genesis
Second-Place Winner, Ontario
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2019 | Class D: Open
Panic Attack!
Second-Place Winner, Ontario
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2019 | Class C: 19 & Under
Brain Teaser
Second-Place Winner, Ontario
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2018 | Class B1: 15 & Under, Instrumental
festivals
‘Tis the Treason (short film by Mya Davidson)
2025 Oakville Film Festival Official Selection
Cloudbound (in collaboration with Sheridan Game Design)
Participant at the 2025 LevelUp Student Showcase
Niko’s Pawsome Adventure (in collaboration with Sheridan Game Design)
Participant at the 2025 LevelUp Student Showcase
Ultima 5000 (animated short film by Sofia Mazzotta)
2024 Oakville Film Festival Official Selection
Meow Tunes (in collaboration with UofT Computer Science & Centennial Game Art)
Honourable Mention for Technical Innovation at the 2023 LevelUp Student Showcase
ChromaCity (in collaboration with UofT Computer Science & OCAD Digital Futures)
Participant at the 2023 LevelUp Student Showcase
nominations
Cape Breton Skies
Honorary Mention, Worldwide (Top 6)
WASBE International Composition Contest 2024 | Category 1: Grade 3-3.5
Overtonal (Solo Piano Version)
Honorary Mention, Ontario (Top 6)
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2020 | Class C: 19 & Under
Night on the Town
Honorary Mention, Ontario (Top 5)
ORMTA Music Writing Competition 2016 | Class B1: 15 & Under, Instrumental
areas of study
Education
Intermediate/Senior Music
Intermediate/Senior English
Arts & Learning
Music Technology
Composition for Film
Composition for Video Games
Multi-Media Composition
Digital Audio, Music Recording, Mixing & Mastering
Composition
Wind Ensemble Composition
Orchestration
Composition for Percussion
Conducting
Wind Ensemble
Orchestra
ensemble HISTORY
Hart House Symphonic Band (2024-2026)
Treasurer (2025-2026)
Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra (2020-2021, 2024-2026)
Librarian (2025-2027)
University of Toronto Wind Symphony (2020-2024)
Ensemble Manager (2022-2024)
Claude Watson Pit Orchestra (2023)
Guest Musician (Into the Woods)
Toronto Youth Symphonic Winds (2019-2020)
Westmount Symphonic Winds (2016-2020)
Section Leader (2018-2020)
Westmount ARTS Band (2016-2020)
Section Leader (2018-2020)
Westmount Jazz Band (2016-2020)
Section Leader (2018-2020)