Composer and conductor H. Umut Asil's works include chamber music, art songs, orchestral music and film scores that have found a enthusiastic audience in years.

Born in Ankara in 1977, Mr. Asil began studying piano at the age of nine, and performed for the first time in public at a charity concert the following year.

H. Umut Asil studied piano with Nimet Karatekin and Kamuran Gündemir; musical analysis, harmony, orchestration, and composition with Muammer Sun and Turgay Erdener; fugue and 18th Century Music with İstemihan Taviloğlu; 20th Century Music with Rainhard Febel and İlhan Baran; Electronic Music techniques with Mehmet Okonşar; and conducting with Rengim Gökmen at Ankara State Conservatory, and graduated in 2002.

In 1998, Mr. Asil won the Jury Special Award at the Electronic Music Competition arranged by Halıcı Software Company.

The following year, while he was still a student, his composition "Total Eclipse" performed by Bursa State Symphony Orchestra and received fervent reviews from the critiques.

In 2003, Abstre Festival Orchestra which he founded and conducted, was awarded the "Special Art Award" from Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs of Romania, besides "The Best Orchestra", "The Best Original Performance" and "Festival Honor" awards at the Poland Music Festival.

After this great achievement, he conducted many concerts and gave recitals in Romania with the invitation of Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs. In 2004 he was awarded with "Diploma de Excelanta" by Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs of Romania and "Unesku Honour Award" by Unesku Conservatory.

His passion for documentaries and short films led him to write music for films beginning from 2001. His score for "Taştaki İz", directed by Ayberk Can Tuna, received many positive critiques both in Turkey and abroad. In 2005, he composed music for "Yassı Ada Batıkları" directed by Girayhan Alpdoğan, "Kırmızı Periler Diyarı", and "Vadinin Aynası - Salaçur Vadisi" directed by Ufuk Kılıçarslan for Turkish Radio and Television Association.

The same year, Mr. Asil founded Middle East Technical University Symphony Orchestra. Currently with various musicians, and an ever-expanding repertoire, the orchestra acquired a great body of listeners. Since then, Mr. Asil has been the Art Director and the Principal Conductor of the orchestra. He is dedicated to perform the music of the new generation composers as well as the classical repertoire. The orchestra has given many concerts at various prestigious events and toured internationally.

Mr. Asil is currently holding a position at the Fine Arts Departments of METU.

He is still continuing his works at "Fine Arts Department" of METU.