About
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 and Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival, and by a variety of ensembles including Inchant, VOCES8 and the New London Chamber Choir. 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 is currently enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music, studying for a master's degree in composition.
"entertaining and complex, accessible yet unusual and all in a totally unpretentious way"
Sophie Daneman
Theatre Director
Current/Recent Projects
Works List
INSTRUMENTAL\VOCAL
Crossing the Bar (2023)
mezzo-soprano and piano
Danseuse No. 5 (2024)
flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano, violin and cello
Farben (2024)
three bassoons
Meanwood to Middle Earth (2023)
soprano and piano
Nyx (2021)
harp and string quartet
Prelude (2024)
soprano and harp
Prelude to a Swarm (2023)
three guitars
The Fossil Tree (2023)
orchestra
Two Winter Landscapes (2023)
piano solo
[what if a much of a which of a wind] (2022)
tenor, cello and piano
When I Conjure Her (2024)
mezzo-soprano, cello and film
CHORAL
Advent Responsory (2022)
SATB (with cantor soloists)
Dawn (2023)
SSAATTBB
If Thou Wilt Remember (2023)
SATB
I Sing the Body Electric (2024)
SATB divisi.
Little Tree (2020)
SATB
Of a Mayden (2023)
SSAATTBB
"Nunc" (2024)
SATB and two soprano solos
Rejoice in the Lord (2023)
SATB divisi.
Songs of Nature (2021)
SATB divisi.
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum (2023)
ATB (SATB version available)
The Christ Child (2022)
SATB
Then, Came, Snow. (2021)
SATB double choir and semi-chorus
To the Moon (2022)
SATB double choir
We Never We Know (2024)
SATB and semi-chorus
THEATRE
A Taste of Sondheim (2023)
Stephen Sondheim musical revue
Cornwall: The Musical (2018 - 2021)
musical comedy
Magic Moments (2024)
Burt Bacharach musical revue
In and Out of Knowing (2022 - 2024)
musical
The Shadow (2024)
music-theatre
When the Sky Cracks Open (2023)
operatic miniature
"Witty, sharp and revelatory, When the Sky Cracks Open is an operatic miniature or short story of rare skill and quality."
Tim Supple
Theatre Director
Contact/Links
For any inquires, including music hire and commissions, please get in touch using the email address below. For purchase of virtual scores, follow the link below.
Social Media
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