The Governing Body of Oriel College, Oxford, has appointed Cheryl Frances-Hoad as the next Visiting Fellow in Music. She succeeds keyboard player Tamar Halperin and countertenor Andreas Scholl, who have held the role jointly since 2020, and is the first composer to be elected to the role in over a decade.

“Cheryl Frances-Hoad is a leading light in the Western classical music tradition. It is immensely exciting to have the opportunity to work with her at Oriel next year,” Director of Music Dr David Maw said.

“Her compositions draw on a wide range of influences, and I shall be intrigued to see how these come to bear on her work with us.

“I’m sure she’ll make a striking contribution to the musical life of the college.”

Frances-Hoad’s compositions have garnered numerous awards, including the RPS Composition Prize, the Mendelssohn Scholarship, and three Ivor Novello (formally BASCA) British Composer Awards.

She said: “I feel exceptionally honoured to have been elected the next Visiting Fellow in Music at Oriel College.

“The list of great artists who have preceded me is awe-inspiring, and I can’t quite believe my name will be added to this list!

“It will be wonderful to get to know the fellows, students and staff at Oriel, and I am very excited to work with the choir under Dr David Maw’s direction.

“I am looking forward to all the inspiring ideas that I know will be conjured by the college and its community, and hope that I will be able to give a little back through the sharing of thoughts, experiences and of course, some new music!”

Frances-Hoad joins Oriel College in October and, as well as holding masterclasses with students, she will be commissioned to compose an anthem for the Chapel Choir to celebrate the 40th anniversary of women being admitted to the college, in 2025.