Robert Duncan is a composer of film and television music.^[1] He has composed music for such TV series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Castle; as well as films such as Butterfly on a Wheel and Into the Blue 2: The Reef.^[2] He has been associated with writer/producer Shawn Ryan, composing some of his produced TV shows including The Unit, Lie to Me, Timeless and more recently S.W.A.T.. He has received fourteen ASCAP awards.

This biography of a living person relies too much on references to primary sources. (March 2020)

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Duncan was born into a family with deep musical history.^[2] His great-grandfather arranged music for silent films in England and other relatives were closely affiliated with two of England's prominent composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.^[2] As a child he attended the Claude Watson School of the Performing Arts and in sixth grade he composed his first piece of music.^[3] At age 16 in high school, he landed his first gig scoring a promotional video for the local Board of Education.^[3] As an extra curricular activity, Duncan studied the pipe organ and trumpet^[3] before later earning a bachelor's degree in music at York University.^[2]

After graduating, Duncan spent the next 5 years apprenticing with two Canadian composers^[4] and participated in the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop.^[3] He wanted to do more, wanted to write scores for live orchestra but he thought the chances of succeeding in Canada were slim^[4] so in 2001^[5] he moved to Los Angeles, Hollywood.^[4] Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, Duncan was hired as a series composer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.^[3] The show later ended, but soon after he started to land his own television and film scoring assignments.^[2] Landing many small screen projects including "The Chicago Code", "Terriers", "The Gates", "Lie to Me", "The Unit", Point Pleasant, "Tru Calling" and S.W.A.T.,^[5] it is his work on "Castle" that he is best known for.

Duncan uses a variety of traditional and peculiar objects and instruments to create his scores. These objects include; grand pianos, deconstructed pianos, metal brushes, hot rod exhaust pipes, fire extinguishers, trumpet, guitar, pipe organ, a variety of drums, and even objects from junk yards all over Los Angeles.^[3]

Duncan made on screen appearances on "Castle" Season 4, Episode 14 “The Blue Butterfly” in the opening scene as a jazz club pianist on the baby grand piano as well as Season 8, Episode 8 "Mr. and Mrs. Castle" as a cruise ship pianist.^[6]