MaxFMusic
Biography
Max J. Fink (b. 2000) is an award-winning composer of music for visual media and concert music from the United States. With each piece of music incorporating elements of cinematics and programmatic storytelling, the ultimate goal of his compositions is to evoke a memorable, emotional experience from all that may listen to them.
Back in 2019 when Max composed his first ever score to visual media, he quickly realized that he had solidified a passion for creating dramatic orchestral film music. The annual "Scares and Scores" film festival that takes place at the University of Miami was where he had premiered his first score, to a short film entitled "Karma" by Ishan Outram. As a first semester, freshman student of the Frost School of Music in 2019, Max took home the "Best Score" award for his music at the festival; adjudicated and awarded by the prolific Carlos
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Rafael Rivera. Also during his first semester at UM, Max had the honor of working with the talented Maria Schneider for an orchestral music composition workshop featuring the prestigious Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
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More recently, Max composed and entered an original piece for band/wind ensemble into a composition competition (college/university division) hosted by The American Prize in 2022. After evaluation by judge Mark J. Morette of Mark's Custom Recording Service, Max was awarded 3rd place for his composition entitled "Exodus." Also within 2022, Max was formally inducted into the Millennium Composers Initiative, becoming amongst a group of talented, up-and-coming composers including but not limited to Kevin Day, Harrison Collins, and Josh Trentadue. Before the end of 2022, Max had also begun working as a freelance composer for Fiverr, currently having completed orders for clients such as Darkhorse Analytics and the New York Times-bestselling script writer Grace Ellis.
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In 2023, Max premiered a deeply emotional piece for symphony orchestra entitled "Forever and Always - A Reflection." The composition was written in 2022 as a dedication to the 17 tragically lost lives of the event that occurred on February 14th, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Foreseeing the 5th anniversary of this tragedy coming up in 2023, Max sought out Florida-based orchestras to premiere the piece and help spread a message of hopefulness through music. On February 14th, 2023, the composition was performed by South Florida's premiere student orchestra, the Florida Youth Orchestra, during the ParksFest Love & Music Day at Plantation Heritage Park for an audience of over 2,000 people. Having been a student of the orchestra throughout his time at MSD High, Max felt honored to rekindle his connection with the orchestra and have his piece premiered by the group. Several news and radio stations covered the inspiring story of this composition and its performance including 1 Fort Lauderdale, WMMB-AM of iHeartRadio, the Sun Sentinel, News@TheU, and NBC 6 South Florida.
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As of August 2023, Max is currently in pursuance of his Master's degree in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games at the Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. As he is entering this academic endeavor, he hopes to further enhance his compositional voice, as well as to develop a well-rounded portfolio to help support his transition into composing film music in Hollywood.
Awards/Recognitions
Scares and Scores - Best Score Award - November 21st, 2019
Awarded Best Score in the Scares and Scores film-making competition (hosted by the University of Miami), for creating an original score to a horror-themed short film by director Ishan Outram.
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Grammy U - Membership - January 9th, 2020
Given exclusive membership to the organization, which connects college students with the industry's brightest and most talented minds. Grammy U provides aspiring professionals with the tools and opportunities necessary to start a career in music.
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Broadcast Music, Inc. - Membership - October 21st, 2021
Given exclusive membership to the organization, which represents songwriters in emerging genres, like jazz, blues and country, and protects the public performances of their music.
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Millennium Composers Initiative - Membership - January 24th, 2022
Given exclusive membership to the organization, which creates fresh and engaging new music for all types of ensembles and media.
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The American Prize - 3rd Place Award - June 18th, 2022
Awarded 3rd place in The American Prize's "composition competition for band/wind ensemble" (college/university division).
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The American Prize – Finalist Award - June 19th, 2023
- Awarded finalist in The American Prize's "composition competition for orchestra" (college/university division).
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Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive – Online Auditor - November 4th & 5th, 2023, and January 18th-21st, 2024
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- Applied for and received acceptance into LAFCI’s 2023-2024 conducting, composing, and orchestration workshop as an online auditor.
- Hosted by the prestigious faculty of Conrad Pope, William Ross, Booker White, Jorge Mester, Emilie Bernstein, and Angel Velez.