The Church is made up of Christians from a myriad of different professions, and yet their ordinary tales of God at work rarely get told. In this series, we bring you stories of faith on the frontline
My name is Joanna Gill, and I’m a Scottish composer, orchestrator and conductor. I’ve been passionate about music since childhood, playing violin and piano in local orchestras. I studied music at Aberdeen university, initially planning to become a teacher, but my love for learning led me to pursue a master’s in composing music for film and television in London.
One of my career highlights was being commissioned by King Charles III to compose a Scottish folk song for the Honours of Scotland ceremony. I work two days a week as a classical music director for Holy Trinity Brompton church (HTB) in London, leading choir rehearsals, planning music for the terms and occasionally conducting orchestra rehearsals. The rest of the week, I work as a freelance composer and orchestrator. My work ranges from writing commissioned pieces for choirs to orchestrating for media, including the Netflix series The Night Agent. As an orchestrator, I take composers’ musical ideas and transform them into scores for orchestras, ensembles or choirs.
The joy of my work lies in doing what I love. As a child, I was deeply moved by the emotions that music evokes in film and TV, and I now aim to create music that uplifts others. Freelancing, while rewarding, has its challenges, such as uncertainty about the next job. I’ve learned to embrace this unpredictability as part of the adventure. The solitude of writing, though sometimes isolating, also helps me focus creatively.
I begin every project with prayer, expressing gratitude for the work I have and seeking God’s guidance and inspiration. I’ve especially felt his influence in my choral compositions, often revealing ideas I didn’t anticipate. Staying authentic is important to me, so I regularly reflect on the purpose of my work and the opportunities I’m offered.
In my professional interactions, I strive to approach others with kindness and build genuine connections. People sometimes ask if I’m a person of faith after hearing my music because of the emotions that it conveys. Please pray that I continue trusting in Jesus and receive divine inspiration to create music that inspires others.
Joanna Gill was speaking to Paul Woolley
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