OLIVER IREDALE SEARLE
Composer and educator in Glasgow, Scotland

'The trajectory of Searle’s music charts a satisfying progression from initial agitation to ultimate calm.'

​ Gramophone, ​December 2021
Some recent things (that I know of):
The National Theatre of Scotland performances of Through the Shortbread Tin (with music by me) start at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the 6th of August, followed by performances in Glasgow Cathedral, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle in September.
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Snake Kings was performed by ACHROME Ensemble, in Bergamo (Italy), in May; details here. Recordings to follow!


My recent work for flute choir - Colours of the City - is now published by Tetractys and available here. The North East of Scotland Music School also made a lovely recording, which is available here.
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At the end of March, I spent a fantastic couple of days developing new material for dancers, musicians and projection art, in collaboration with choreographer Lewis Normand, dancers Daniel Davidson and Ellie Bishop, clarinettist Alex South, and light artist Trent Kim.

Something About Me
In my artistic practice, I attempt to capture personal reflections on past events (often musical) from life experiences, and explore the ways in which I can realise these musically, then communicate it to others. I am also interested in inclusivity in new music, and finding new environments for the creation and performance of new work; this means that I am often engaged in creative conversations with others when starting work on a project, which helps offer ideas and starting points, and allows me to find ways to make work that is specific to each situation.

I began studies at the University of Aberdeen to become a classroom music teacher and moved to Glasgow in 2000, where I studied with John Maxwell Geddes, gaining a Distinction for my Masters degree. I then completed a PhD in composition through the University of St Andrews, and have since written works for many professional, amateur and youth organisations, such as the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the Hebrides Ensemble, Red Note, the Scottish Reed Trio, Paragon, Drake Music Scotland, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the New Music Players and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

 
In 2002, I received a silver medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians and in 2004 won the Mendelssohn Scholarship; I have been nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and won a British Composer Award in 2018. Over the last few years, my works have been performed at festivals and venues around the world, and I am Head of Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
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My music is published by Composers Edition and Tetractys, and I am also a member of New Music Scotland and the Scottish Music Centre.

Something to listen to

Something to look at and listen to

Something to look at
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Pilgrim of Curiosity - 2014
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Pilgrim of Curiosity Recording - 2020 (Will Campbell-Gibson)
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