Hayder Chakroun is a self-taught composer and multi-instrumentalist who hopes his music can inspire others—whether through melody, emotion, style, or feel. As he grows artistically, it would be a profound honor for him if any composer, listener, or creator were to borrow, develop, or reinterpret parts of his work. His goal is not just to express, but to spark new expression in others.
His musical journey began in childhood in Tunisia. His earliest formal training took place in middle school, where he studied music notation, rhythm, melodies, and Arabic maqams for three years. This foundational education sparked a lifelong passion for music that has continually evolved since.
Though Chakroun explored a variety of musical styles, including rock, metal, pop, jazz, and modern game music (often equated with modern classical), his heart has always been rooted in classical and orchestral music. Early on, he developed a strong affinity for string instruments, especially the viola, which he came to regard as a deeply expressive voice—particularly resonant with his own experiences of long-term depression.
Chakroun’s instrumental skills are largely self-developed. After picking up his sister’s violin, he taught himself advanced techniques and honed his ear by transcribing music both by ear and with the aid of digital pitch mapping tools. Later, while participating in a summer band in Tunisia, he took up the saxophone, again self-teaching and developing an ability to quickly learn and notate pieces from memory.
Inspired profoundly by classical concertos—most notably Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, and Peng-Peng Gong’s Viola Concerto—Chakroun found a powerful emotional connection to the viola as an instrument that embodied his inner world and struggles. His lived experience with chronic depression, which began undiagnosed during his school years, has deeply informed his music, infusing it with honesty and emotional depth.
Currently, Chakroun composes orchestral music using modern digital audio workstations (Cubase 12) and freely available virtual instruments, bringing classical composition into the digital age. His compositional style focuses on storytelling through music that is both personal and authentic—often eschewing general audience appeal in favor of honest emotional expression. He aims to capture complex human feelings and narratives, especially through the rich, mellow tones of the viola and other orchestral instruments.
Notable Works
Depression & Resolve (Viola Concerto, ca. 3 minutes)
This deeply personal two-movement work reflects a journey through emotional darkness to fragile acceptance. The first movement, Depression (Adagio), explores themes of pain, yearning, and solitude with the viola’s voice carrying the emotional weight. The second movement, Resolution (Andante), offers a sense of serenity and acceptance, though tinged with lingering grief and an undercurrent of emotional numbness. It attempts to look toward light, but never fully escapes the shadows.
Urge & Dance (Viola Concerto, Two Movements)
Chakroun’s second full orchestral viola concerto presents a contrasting emotional arc: the first movement, Urge, is intense and restless, representing inner tension and the drive to persevere; the second movement, Dance, evolves from calm lyricism to a joyful, triumphant celebration of resilience and renewal.
Artistic Vision and Challenges
Chakroun’s path as a self-taught composer has been shaped by the vast resources available on the internet, including blogs, tutorials, books, large language models, and open-source platforms such as MuseScore. Despite the lack of formal advanced training, his determination and intellectual curiosity—fostered by his concurrent studies in software engineering—have enabled him to approach complex orchestral writing and score preparation.
His dual passion for music and technology reflects in his approach to composition, which is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally sincere. He aspires not only to create music but to someday conduct, combining technical expertise with artistic leadership.
Current Status and Aspirations
Now a software engineering student, Chakroun envisions a future where he might integrate his skills to architect large software systems alongside composing orchestral works. Though composition remains a profound personal pursuit, he dreams of pursuing it professionally, sharing his voice with the world as both composer and conductor.
