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Neil Day grew up in the South Wales valleys town of Llanbradach. He studied classical guitar, piano and percussion at the Welsh College of Music and Drama before continuing his studies at University College, where he studied composition with David Wynne and Alun Hoddinott and became one of the first students to gain a PhD in composition. Neil’s portfolio includes scores for orchestra, choirs, brass band, various ensembles plus and solo instrumental works. Neil was resident composer for BBC Wales Education in the 80’s and 90’s (radio and TV), where his work earned him a BAFTA Cymru.

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Alongside composing, Neil has worked as a copyist and proof-reader for music publishers (including Schott, Oxford University Press, Chester Music, Fabers, Universal and Cardiff University Press) and collaborated with Scandinavian Music Information Centres in Iceland, Norway and Sweden in the publication of their composers’ works. He has worked with, and produced the scores for, renowned composers including Peter Maxwell Davies, Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Oliver Knussen, John Tavener (and many others before and after the rise of computer notation). His hand-produced scores of Pictures at an Exhibition for both brass ensemble and brass band arranged by Edward Gregson are still the editions used to this day.

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Neil had a successful and varied teaching career in the schools of South Wales, Wells Cathedral Music Specialist School, LEA Advisory Teacher for music technology, Senior Examiner (A level) Edexcel, and the British School in the Netherlands. Neil also lectured at Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales and has provided many training courses for teachers throughout the UK.

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As well as continuing to compose, for ‘relaxation’ Neil also plays bass guitar for Big Band for whom he produces many arrangements and jazz compositions.