Cody Ortz

Biography

Mr. Ortz is an internationally commissioned composer specializing in wind band, orchestral, chamber, and soundtrack music. His works span numerous genres and include published compositions, album releases, and credits in film and television. His music has been performed worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, South America, South Africa, and Australia. He has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, the Legacy Scoring Stage, the Scottish Session Orchestra, and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra on albums and soundtracks.

As the owner of Silverling Music Company, Mr. Ortz partners with international composers as an orchestrator, engraver, and recording and mixing engineer for a variety of concert and media projects. His notable contributions include work for the BBC news network, the Australian series Home and Away, and the AAA video game Wasteland 4. In 2021, he won the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Conference composition award for his piece …and streetlights will fade. Additionally, he has been commissioned by commercial sound libraries, such as 8Dio, to program VST plugins (virtual instruments and effects).

As a trumpet performer, Mr. Ortz has appeared with numerous professional and honors ensembles, including the American Wind Symphony Orchestra (featured performer, 2015), the Quaker City Band (guest soloist), and the CBDNA and PMEA Intercollegiate Bands, where he served as Principal Trumpet. He has also performed with notable regional groups, such as the Butchy Big Band, Slope Street Jazz, the Noir Easter Quartet, the Youngstown Brass, and the Northwest Passage Trumpet Trio.

Education

• Westminster College (B.M. Music Education)
• University of Chichester, U.K. (M.F.A. Composition & Orchestration)

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

• Music (Band) 

Courses Taught

• Symphonic Band
• Marching Band
• Jazz Band
• Advanced Instrumental Conducting
• Class Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds, and Strings

Publications/Presentations

Music Publications: 

• Concert March For Orchestra, August 2024
• March And Reverie, August 2024
• Do Not Be Afraid, August 2024
• The Deception Of Elysium, June 2024
• Canto De Macario, May 2024
• Piet, March 2024
• Reflections, March 2024
• The Valley Of Shadows, April 2023
• Within A Dream, September 2022
• "Flower Duet" From Lakme, December 2021
• ...and streetlights will fade, December 2021
• Children's March, December 2021
• Der Wechselbalg, December 2021
• Elegy For Six Clarinets, December 2021
• Mystique, December 2021
• Remnants Of Things Forgotten, December 2021
• Resurgence, December 2021
• Chateau de Sable, December 2021

Presentations/Sermons

• “As Christ Loved,” (Ephesians 5:25) – Williamsport Chapel, November 2024
• “The Young Composer,” – South Western High School, 2022
• “The Teaching Professional Musician,” – Westminster College, 2018

Current Projects

Music Publications/Releases:

• Valhalla Awaits - Concert Band Consortium, Composer
• The Throne of Ao - Cinematic Audiobook, Composer
• H.M.F.M.W. (“Help Me Find My Way”) – Original Album Release, Composer/Producer 

Presentations/Sermons:

• “In Good Faith: Seeking the Lord with all your heart,” – Williamsport Chapel, 2025

Affiliations

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
• Society of Composers, Inc.
• PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association)
• NAME (National Association for Music Education)