Paul Ayres
Composer / Performer
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 & arranger, choral conductor, musical director, 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. His works have been awarded or shortlisted for composition prizes in Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the United States. 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 conducts and accompanies several choirs in the London area. He has led many music education workshops for children and played piano for improvised comedy shows and musical theatre productions.
Biographical Details
- Year of birth: 1970
- Director of The Queldryk Chamber Choir
- Website: http://www.paulayres.co.uk
- Biography: https://www.paulayres.co.uk/biog/
Works by Paul Ayres
- 4A Wreck
- Common Worship Service
- Easter Anthem
- Exite Fideles
- Fantasia 150
- God of all creation
- Messyah
- Missa Brevis pro Baccalariuswith Christopher Batchelor (Composer), Jonathan Wikeley (Composer), Bernard Hughes (Composer), Janet Wheeler (Composer), Joshua Ballance (Composer), Richard Pantcheff (Composer), Ronald Corp (Composer), Sarah Cattley (Composer), Tim Ambler (Composer), David McGregor (Composer), Alastair Carey (Editor)
- O be joyful in the Lord
- Prayer of St Richard
- Preces and Responses
- Strengthen for Service
- Te lucis ante terminum
- The Finchley Service
- The Light Walking
- Wedding Anthem
Festival performances of works by Paul Ayres
Festival commissionCall for Scores submissionWorld premiere
LFCCM 2024
- LFCCM @ Home Choral Recital: “Blesséd Cecilia” on Tuesday 14 May 2024 (online stream/broadcast)
- Choral Eucharist on Sunday 19 May 2024 at St Giles’ Cripplegate Church
- Parish Communion on Sunday 19 May 2024 at St John the Evangelist, Redhill
LFCCM 2023
- “Blesséd Cecilia” on Friday 12 May 2023 at St Pancras Parish Church
- LFCCM @ Home Choral Recital on Tuesday 16 May 2023 (online stream/broadcast)
LFCCM 2019
- All-Age Eucharist on Sunday 12 May 2019 at St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church
LFCCM 2018
- Parish Eucharist on Sunday 20 May 2018 at St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church
LFCCM 2017
- Choral Eucharist on Sunday 7 May 2017 at St Mary-at-Finchley Parish Church
LFCCM 2015
- Compline on Monday 11 May 2015 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Lunchtime Recital on Friday 15 May 2015 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2014
- Sung Eucharist on Sunday 18 May 2014 at St George’s, Hanover Square
LFCCM 2012
- Compline on Monday 14 May 2012 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Choral Evensong on Wednesday 16 May 2012 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2009
- Organ Recital on Sunday 10 May 2009 at Westminster Cathedral
- Choral Evensong on Sunday 10 May 2009 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Choral Evensong on Wednesday 13 May 2009 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2007
- Choral Evensong on Sunday 13 May 2007 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2006
- Concert on Sunday 7 May 2006 at St George’s, Hanover Square
- Compline on Monday 8 May 2006 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2005
- Choral Evensong on Sunday 8 May 2005 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Compline on Monday 9 May 2005 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Choral Evensong on Wednesday 11 May 2005 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2004
- Choral Evensong on Sunday 9 May 2004 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2003
- Choral Evensong on Thursday 15 May 2003 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2002
- Choral Eucharist on Sunday 5 May 2002 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Lunchtime Recital on Thursday 9 May 2002 at St Pancras Parish Church
Works performed by Paul Ayres
World premiere
- 4A Wreck Paul Ayres
- Anguish Mark Gotham
- Bless the Lord, O my soul Jonathan Dove
- Carole Rob Godman
- Footnote John Hawkins
- Four Psalms for Soprano and Organ Sebastian Forbes
- Glad Day Mike Westbrook
- I am the day Jonathan Dove
- In Handel’s Name Akmal Parwez
- In beauty may I walk Jonathan Dove
- Into thy hands Jonathan Dove
- Jesu, swete dome dear Andrew Bates
- Le Tombeau d’Handel Krzysztof Aleksander Janczak
- Little Prelude Jos Martens
- Messyah Paul Ayres
- Niagara Jonathan Dove
- Prelude Marcus Blunt
- Prelude and Jubilate Iain Quinn
- Scherzo on “Gopsal” Alan Smith
- Seek him that maketh the seven stars Jonathan Dove
- The Three Kings Jonathan Dove
- Voces Eberhand Bottcher
- Water Bubbling Satoru Ikeda
- Wedding Anthem Paul Ayres
- Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Antony Pitts
Festival performances by Paul Ayres
World premiere
LFCCM 2009
- Lunchtime Recital on Friday 15 May 2009 at St Pancras Parish Church
LFCCM 2007
- Organ Recital on Monday 14 May 2007 at St Pancras Parish Church
- Concert on Friday 18 May 2007 at The Foundling Museum
LFCCM 2006
- Concert on Sunday 7 May 2006 at St George’s, Hanover Square
LFCCM 2002
- Lunchtime Recital on Thursday 9 May 2002 at St Pancras Parish Church
Recorded performances of works by Paul Ayres
LFCCM 2023
- Sanctus performed by The LFCCM Festival Singers / Alastair Carey Conductor
LFCCM 2015
- Te lucis ante terminum performed by The Choir of St Pancras Parish Church / Christopher Batchelor Conductor
- The Light Walking performed by William Petter Tenor / Peter Foggitt Piano
