Described as a ‘masterclass in the exquisite handling of sounds’ (Simon Cummings, 5:4), Edwin Hillier's music is rooted in an exploration of timbre. Developed through a physical and tactile composition process, his output – both acoustic and electronic – typically investigates ‘febrile and protean sonic matter’ (Tom Service, BBC Radio 3). Frequently drawing inspiration from the work and working practices of Alberto Burri, Cy Twombly and Alan Davie – visual artists whose output is often described as eliciting a visceral and charged response in the viewer – Edwin too seeks to conjure something of the intimate and human through his own ruptured designs.

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Edwin's work has been presented internationally, including performances at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Royaumont Festival (France), at the Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Roulette (New York City), Neimenster (Luxembourg), Nonclassical, and by the London Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Quatuor Tana, EXAUDI, Explore Ensemble, Red Note Ensemble, Hermes Experiment, and Talea Ensemble. His music has been broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3, live on France Musique, and recorded on the NMC Record Label. He was the recipient of a Scottish Award for New Music in both 2020 (Electroacoustic/Sound Artwork) and 2021 (Dorico Award for Small/Medium Scale Work).

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A graduate of the University of Cambridge, he was awarded a scholarship to the Royal College of Music to pursue his postgraduate studies, supported by the RVW Trust and the AHRC. In 2021 he attained his doctorate in composition, under the supervision of Jonathan Cole. At the RCM, Edwin is now a Composition professor and Academic professor, and Module Leader in Musical Analysis. Previously, he held composition teaching posts at the University of Nottingham, and the junior department of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

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In parallel with his compositional work, Edwin is also active as a choral conductor, working with a range of ensembles in both professional and educational contexts.