Gareth Wood was born in Cilfynydd, studied at the Royal Academy of Music and joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as a double bass player in 1972. He has written extensively for brass bands, wind bands and orchestras. His fanfares include the opening of the Welsh parliament, and the opening of the Kravis Centre in West Palm Beach in Florida.

​

Gareth's youth projects are numerous and include two narration pieces Sea Dogs and Santa’s Stressful Day. He has written many pieces for multiple harps and also multiple double basses as well as three concertos and three sonatas for double bass. His Songs of Wales has been performed at the last night of the Welsh proms for nearly 25 years.