Paul Ayres

Composer / Performer

Paul Ayres Paul Ayres was born London, and studied music at Oxford University, graduating with a first-class honours degree in Music in 1991. Since then, he has worked freelance as a composer and arranger, choral conductor and musical director, and organist and accompanist.

Paul has received over one hundred commissions from ensembles, organizations and individual musicians. His music has been published by Oxford University Press, Boosey & Hawkes, Hal Leonard, Santa Barbara, Carus-Verlag, Pavane, and others. Works have been awarded or shortlisted for composition prizes in Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Most of Paul’s music involves word-setting, for solo voice, for choir, and for music for theatre productions. He also enjoys “re-composing” classical works (Purcell, Bach, Handel, Fauré) and “classicizing” pop music (jazz and show tunes, The Beatles, Happy Hardcore).

Of his solo CD Handel-Inspired (Priory), The Gramophone wrote: “Ayres is outstanding as composer, arranger, editor and skilful player… this CD is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable and original recordings I’ve heard.”

Paul is the regular conductor of City Chorus and the London College of Music Chorus (at the University of West London), accompanist of Concordia Voices, and associate accompanist of Crouch End Festival Chorus. He has led many music education workshops for children and played piano for improvised comedy shows and musical theatre productions.

Biographical Details

Works by Paul Ayres

Festival performances of works by Paul Ayres

Festival commissionWorld premiere

LFCCM 2019

LFCCM 2018

LFCCM 2017

LFCCM 2015

LFCCM 2014

LFCCM 2012

LFCCM 2009

LFCCM 2007

LFCCM 2006

LFCCM 2005

LFCCM 2004

LFCCM 2003

LFCCM 2002

Works performed by Paul Ayres

World premiere

Festival performances by Paul Ayres

World premiere

LFCCM 2009

LFCCM 2008

LFCCM 2007

LFCCM 2006

LFCCM 2002

Recorded performances of works by Paul Ayres

LFCCM 2015