The Governing Body of Oriel College, Oxford, has announced the appointment of Cheryl Frances-Hoad as the next Visiting Fellow in Music. The composer 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.

Oriel's Director of Music Dr David Maw said of Frances-Hoad's appointment: '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 ... I’m sure she’ll make a striking contribution to the musical life of the college'.

Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s is an internationally-recognised British composer with many awards to her name, including the RPS Composition Prize, the Mendelssohn Scholarship, and three Ivor Composer Awards.

Speaking of her appointment, Frances-Hoad 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.'

Frances-Hoad will join Oriel College in October. Her role will include directing student masterclasses and a new commission of an anthem for the Chapel Choir to celebrate the 40th anniversary of women being admitted to the college in 2025.

oriel.ox.ac.uk