Olivia Sparkhall

Olivia Sparkhall studied composition at Durham University with Paul Archbold, composing for the Northern Sinfonietta and Flower Quartet as part of her studies. Since moving to South West England, she has focused primarily on writing vocal music, notably for BBC One’s Songs of Praise programme. Recent commissions have been, for International Women’s Day services 'Lux' (2018) and 'Faith and Hope' (2019), and a Mass designed to be integrally sung and signed using the language programme Makaton. She was short-listed in the Cappella Nova competition in 2018 for 'Dona Nobis Pacem'. Gabriel’s Message (2018) received its premiere (in the version with piano accompaniment) in Southwark Cathedral and (in the version with harp accompaniment) in Salisbury Cathedral.