Carlos Alberto Serrano: Award-Winning Film and Concert Music Composer
Carlos Serrano stands at the forefront of contemporary music, seamlessly blending his roles as a film composer, concert music composer, conductor, and virtuoso flutist. Renowned for his film scores, symphonic works, and diverse chamber music compositions, Carlos has collaborated with leading ensembles like the Chatham Baroque Trio, Hub New Music, Mirari Brass Quintet, Invoke String Quartet, and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.
Recent highlights in Carlos' career include his original score for the critically acclaimed film "Late for Work," currently sweeping through global film festivals and winning awards for Best Original Film Score. His ventures in album releases include a chamber music EP featuring Hub New Music and Chatham Baroque, with another album showcasing performances by the Mirari Brass Quintet and Invoke String Quartet. Additionally, under his electronic music persona, SailSki, Carlos released an EP integrated into the film "Late for Work," and is preparing for a full album release this Summer.
Carlos' musical journey is as compelling as his compositions. Following a severe traumatic brain injury, he transitioned from financial market technology to full-time music composition, earning a Bachelor's in Music Composition, a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition, and a Master of Music in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music.
Raised in Puerto Rico, Carlos began his musical journey at San Juan's Escuela Libre de Música. His compositions span avant-garde techniques to popular electronic compositions, always pushing boundaries in both film and concert music.
When not composing or performing, Carlos finds inspiration while skiing the slopes of Vermont. His music studio is located at the base of Mount Mansfield, where he creates his acclaimed symphonic compositions and film scores.
Testimonials
“Carlos Alberto Serrano’s compositions employs sophisticated, idiomatic writing for each of the instruments and material that I find cogent and effective in terms of phrasing, melody, harmony, and form.”
– Dr. John Mellia, Composer and Director of Electronic Music Department at New England Conservatory
"His scoring was amazing - and I'd like to point out that this was after not quite hitting the mark the first time and going back to do rewrites; this is one of the hallmarks of a film composer, and one that all have to confront: not getting it the first (or the second) time and going back and trying again to channel the director's intent. What he came up with was quirky, funny, totally individualistic yet obsessive – completely in tune with the eccentric characters and style of the film."
– Dr. Rick Baitz, Composer and Professor at Julliard School of Music
"Your instinct for capturing the appropriate tone for various genres and scenes is spot on. Most surprisingly, the work that you did with the orchestra in Prague was inspiring. And, when confronted with the orchestra’s limitations, not only did you not get discouraged, you came back with another piece that landed right in their sweet spot as well as yours. Your sense for detail is a delight to behold."
– Don DiNicola, Music Supervisor
"The soul of our film is further enriched by Carlos Alberto Serrano's exceptional score. His fusion of electronic music with live performances of flute (Carlos) and violin (Tom Charpentier) creates an auditory experience that elevates the narrative, captivating audiences and adding depth to the cinematic journey."
– Dr. Dorothy Brodmann, Producer of “Late for Work