George W. Parris is a London-based composer and musical director with a particular interest in choral music and music for theatre. His work has been performed across the country at prestigious festivals such as The Leeds Lieder Festival, Cheltenham Festivals, and Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival, and by a variety of ensembles including Inchant, VOCES8, the Carice Singers, and the BBC Singers. George’s style combines his love for early 20th century French Impressionism with influences from both the traditional and contemporary worlds of choral music to create a sound and style of composition with story-telling at its heart. 

 

George’s work for theatre “The Shadow”, a collaboration with playwright Rebekah King, premiered at the Susie Sainsbury Theatre in Marylebone and was praised for its innovative use of music ‘mirroring, echoing, highlighting, partnering the text in such a completely natural and interdependent way.’ Other theatre work includes “When the Sky Cracks Open” – an operatic miniature with libretto by Iris Supple-Still, and “In and Out of Knowing” – an original musical.

 

George’s choral music has seen recognition from a variety of sources including St Paul’s Cathedral where he was finalist of their 2023 composition competition, and JAM on the Marsh where he was both a participant in their 2022 Masterclass Series and a successful applicant of their 2024 call for scores. George has also worked with the ORA Singers as a 2024 'graduate composer' - one of five to be selected in the scheme's inaugural year.

 

George studied music as an undergraduate at the University of Manchester, graduating with a first class degree in 2022 and as a postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with distinction in 2024.