multitude of voyces

Alison Willis (b. 1971)

Writing music described as 'rather beautiful' (Suzy Klein, BBC Radio 3), 'beautiful, scholarly yet singable' (Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford) and 'stunning!' (Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3), Alison (b. 1971) is an award winning composer whose works have been performed and broadcast across the UK and internationally by ensembles including the BBC Singers, The Gesualdo Six, BBC Concert Orchestra and the Ora Singers.

Alison finds particular inspiration in historical sources and events, forgotten women, social issues, and English Folk music and she particularly enjoys working collaboratively with both young people and adults.

Recent works include Fantasia on Christmas Carols from Landkey, commissioned  by The Winkleigh Singers to mark their fortieth anniversary, Be Still, My Soul, premiered at the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music 2024, I Am Bartholomew for the 900th Anniversary of St Bart's the Great, Smithfield, 'We're Nor 'Avin' It!', a micro-opera written in collaboration with performers from Streetwise Opera and premiered with the BBC Concert Orchestra and members of The Sixteen at the Southbank Centre, the Derby Service written for Derby Cathedral and Salve Deus, Rex Judaeorum for Luminosa. She is currently working on a collection of medieval carols and a set of twenty-four Preludes and Fugues for organ.

When not composing or educating Alison can be found walking her dogs on the beach, feeding the chickens or making soup for her family from the ​vegetables in the garden.  

 AW 30 June 2025