Sean Sumwalt

Sean Sumwalt is an award-winning composer, arranger, educator, and adjudicator whose work spans film, television, concert music, and the marching arts. Originally from Muncie, Indiana, he has built a career creating impactful musical experiences for performers and audiences alike.

Sean’s music has been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival, California Independent Film Festival, and numerous other events worldwide. His score for SARGE received Best Music in a Film at the 2016 Reading Film Festival. He has also contributed music to Netflix’s acclaimed series Chef’s Table, serving as lead orchestrator for the Emmy Award-winning José Andrés episode in 2025. As part of the show's music team, Chef’s Table received consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series in 2015 and 2016.

A graduate of Ball State University and Butler University, Sean continued his studies in the University of Southern California’s prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program, studying with industry leaders including Bruce Broughton, Garry Schyman, Freddie Wiedmann, and Jack Smalley.

In the marching arts, Sean serves as Director and Arranger for Newnan Winds, leading the ensemble to consecutive WGI Winds World Championship Finals appearances, including a Bronze Medal finish in 2026. His design and production work has also contributed to the success of ensembles nationwide, including North Lincoln High School’s 2026 WGI Scholastic A Silver Medal performance and Hydra Winds’ Independent Open Class Gold Medal championship in its inaugural season.

Sean’s concert music is published through C. Alan Publications, and he continues to compose and arrange for high school and collegiate ensembles throughout the United States. An active marching band adjudicator since 2011, he also serves as Ensemble Consultant for Atlanta CV, supporting performance design and educational excellence across the activity.