A Leeds Conservatoire graduate is celebrating after winning a GRAMMY award for his composition work on a critically-acclaimed Star Wars video game.
Max McGuire spotting a Star Wars Jedi: Survivor poster in his hometown
Max McGuire, who studied Music Production, was part of the team that composed the musical score for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor by Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games.
The team won Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media earlier this month at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles. Lead composers Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab collected the award on the night and the former namechecked Max for his role as assistant composer on the score.
Max, who watched the ceremony at home in Hale, shared with Altrincham Today that "it was actually really emotional - this industry is not easy and I've been through many years of really tough times. We've made financial sacrifices. To get to this point is fantastic."
Since studying at Leeds Conservatoire Max has run his own production company, Metronomix Studios. In this profile he shared previously that the most vital skill he gained as a student was learning how to collaborate and that forming a true relationship with someone can prove fruitful for many years. Max has collaborated with established composer Stephen on multiple projects, from video games to TV series.
For Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Max composed various parts of the score which is a staggering eight and a half hours in length. The recording took 28 days at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios.
"Just getting the nomination was really difficult because you're up against 200-plus other titles,” Max added to Altrincham Today.
"It feels like it's been a really long journey because this game is connected to the first Star Wars game which started in 2019, and I went to some test recordings in 2018. So to get to this point and get recognition from the Academy is amazing."
Update 29 May 2024
The award for Best Original Video Game Score at The Ivors 2024 went to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Exceptionally executed, with an emotional and nostalgic thread that runs through the score, it was praised for staying true to John Williams’ original music while moving into its own authentic world.
