Fred. Olsen Names First Ever Composer-in-Residence

Fred. Olsen has revealed that award-winning composer Benjamin Squires has been appointed as the cruise industry’s first composer-in-residence. He will join a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines voyage this spring to create an original musical score inspired by life at sea.

Doug Glenwright, guest experience director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “For so many guests, the experience of traveling the high seas compares with nothing else.”

“With the appointment of our first-ever Composer-in-Residence, we want to help them relive and reconnect with their holidays long after they return home, as well as give those who haven’t cruised yet a taste of the experience,” Glenwright added.

“We’re delighted to welcome Benjamin Squires onboard and look forward to hearing how he captures and translates the experience of a Fred. Olsen cruise into the bold, cinematic music that he’s famed for.”

Squires said the project represents a new creative challenge. “I’ve composed hundreds of pieces, but the opportunity to create a musical narrative of an entire journey through a soundtrack is a totally unique challenge.”

“I know there are going to be so many moments of inspiration, and it will all culminate in a timeless soundtrack, recorded at the inimitable Abbey Road Studios, that people can return to again and again,” he added.

In a press release, Fred. Olsen said the commission marks a departure from Squires’ usual work across interdisciplinary performance, film, and television.

His recent credits include trailers for “Wicked: For Good” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” as well as documentary projects such as Netflix’s “Tiny Creatures.”

Squires is scheduled to join a Northern Lights cruise aboard Bolette in March, where he will have full access to the ship, its crew, and guests to inform his composition.

The completed soundtrack will be performed and recorded by a 60-piece orchestra at London’s Abbey Road Studios and will later be released on Spotify.