Oliver Tarney is a British composer whose music grows out of a long involvement with singers and the choral tradition. His work ranges from intimate choral pieces to large-scale works for choir and instruments, with a particular interest in music that is both rewarding to perform and direct in its communication. Much of his choral music is published by Oxford University Press.
Oliver Tarney
Composer
Selected Works
Lux Stellarum
A Requiem drawing together the traditional liturgy with biblical and poetic texts concerned with stars, light and the cosmos.
Written for the American Cathedral in Paris and first performed at Saint-Sulpice. Recorded by The Choir of Royal Holloway, Andrew Dewar and Rupert Gough.
St Mark Passion
A large-scale setting of St Mark’s Passion narrative, incorporating other episodes from the Gospel alongside the events of Holy Week.
Commissioned and first performed by the St Endellion Easter Festival in 2019, with a new production given at Ushaw, Durham, in 2026.
Magnificat
A twelve-movement setting in which the words of the Magnificat are placed alongside texts from Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions.
Commissioned by Sing for Pleasure for its fiftieth anniversary, the work has since received performances around the UK and has been recorded by Serafine Chamber Choir and Sinfonia.
The Night Before Christmas
A setting of the familiar Christmas poem, interwoven with carols including Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Published by Oxford University Press in 2026.
I am. We are.
A three-part work exploring identity, growing up and belonging, written with lyricist Hazel Gould in collaboration with members of the National Youth Boys’ Choir.
Recorded by National Youth Choir and performed as part of the fiftieth anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Wise Men and the Star
An atmospheric Epiphany carol setting a text by Lucia Quinault, published by Oxford University Press and recorded by The Sixteen.
Selected Works
Lux Stellarum
Requiem for choir and organ · 25 minutes · 2019
A Requiem drawing together the traditional liturgy with biblical and poetic texts concerned with stars, light and the cosmos.
Written for the American Cathedral in Paris and first performed at Saint-Sulpice. Recorded by The Choir of Royal Holloway, Andrew Dewar and Rupert Gough.
St Mark Passion
Soloists, choir and orchestra · 85 minutes · 2019
A large-scale setting of St Mark’s Passion narrative, incorporating other episodes from the Gospel alongside the events of Holy Week.
Commissioned and first performed by the St Endellion Easter Festival in 2019, with a new production given at Ushaw, Durham, in 2026.
Magnificat
Soloists, choir and small orchestra · 55 minutes · 2014
A twelve-movement setting in which the words of the Magnificat are placed alongside texts from Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions.
Commissioned by Sing for Pleasure for its fiftieth anniversary, the work has since received performances around the UK and has been recorded by Serafine Chamber Choir and Sinfonia.
The Night Before Christmas
SATB choir and piano or chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra · 20 minutes · 2021
A setting of the familiar Christmas poem, interwoven with carols including Silent Night, Good King Wenceslas and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Published by Oxford University Press in 2026
I am. We are.
Young voices and piano · 2022
A three-part work exploring identity, growing up and belonging, written with lyricist Hazel Gould in collaboration with members of the National Youth Boys’ Choir.
Recorded by National Youth Choir and performed as part of the fiftieth anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Wise Men and the Star
Unaccompanied choir · 2018
An atmospheric Epiphany carol setting a text by Lucia Quinault, published by Oxford University Press and recorded by The Sixteen.
Recent
2026
Oxford University Press publishes The Night Before Christmas.
2026
Oxford University Press releases Lux Stellarum.
2026
St Mark Passion receives a new performance at Ushaw, Durham.
2025
The Choir of Royal Holloway records Lux Stellarum, and The Sixteen records The Wise Men and the Star.
Current
Oliver is currently writing a Stabat Mater for first performance in 2028, continuing a cycle of canticles centred on Elizabeth, Ruth and Eve for the Odiham Music Festival (2027, 2028), and working on further large-scale choral projects, including a community opera, Jonah.
About
Oliver is a composer and teacher, educated at the University of Manchester. Alongside writing, he has worked for many years in school music and with professional, amateur and young singers.
I’d be delighted to hear from you!