Biography
Chris is an award-winning composer, choral director, singer and music educator. Growing up in Liverpool he developed his love of singing as a member of the Merseyside Youth Choir and as a chorister at one of Liverpool's Cathedrals. For many years Chris was Director of Music in a variety of High Schools in the UK and was Director of Arts at a specialist arts college in Derbyshire. He is currently teaching at a girls' high school in Manchester UK.
Composing and arranging music for choirs, conferences and church and community projects is Chris’ main area of expertise. He has also been musical director and arranger for BBC Radio 4’s ‘Daily Service’ and for ‘Songs of Praise’. In 2008 Chris worked as music director and choral arranger for a BBC TV drama series about choirs: “All the Small Things”. His compositions include 'The Other Shore' (2005), a cantata telling the story of the 'Kindertransport' of 1938 and ‘Trees Alone Remain' (2011). The latter was composed for UK charity 'The Woodland Trust' using poems by Roger McGough, Carol Ann Duffy & others.
In 2013 his choral composition 'We Dare To Dream' was selected as the official theme song for the Hong Kong International Youth Choirs Festival. In December 2014 he was a finalist in the Jean Sibelius International Composition Competition for his composition ‘Bright Star’ and in 2015 was awarded the Pullen Memorial choral composition prize in the USA for his piece ‘Commonwealth of Love’. In 2016 he was awarded 2nd prize in the Elysian Singers London Psalm composition competition. In 2018 Manchester Chorale premiered his composition ‘Scars Upon Their Hearts’, settings of poems written by women poets of WW1. In 2022 he was awarded 2nd prize in the Japan ICC Competition with ‘Jubilate’ which has subsequently been performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus and more recently by the Brigham Young University Singers USA at the Tolosa Choral Festival in Spain.
Collection
Daffodils
Chris O'Hara
A setting of the poem 'Daffodils' for SATB chorus (some divisi)
Peace
Chris O'Hara
Composed for SATB a cappella chorus with some divisi
The Naming of Trees
Chris O'Hara
A setting of the poem 'Trees' (Joyce Kilmer) for SATB a cappella chorus
Bright Star
Chris O'Hara
A setting for a cappella SSAATBB chorus of the poem by John Keats
We Dare To Dream
Chris O'Hara
A setting for SATB chorus and piano of lyrics by the composer.
Commonwealth of Love
Chris O'Hara
A setting for SATB and piano of lyrics by the composer.
Pater Noster
Chris O'Hara
A setting of the latin prayer 'Pater Noster' for SSAATTBB chorus
Love Leadeth Me
Chris O'Hara
A setting of Psalm 23 for SATB chorus and piano
Arise, Shine Out!
Chris O'Hara
'Arise, Shine Out!' is a setting of texts adapted from 'Isaiah 60' for SATB a cappella chorus
Love Will Reign
Chris O'Hara
A Christmas song, 'Love will Reign' is set for SATB chorus and piano.
News
New choral composition for Spring 2024
For SATB choir - a new setting of the poem 'Daffodils' for Spring 2024.