Alison Willis (b. 1971)
Composer; Pianist; Organist; Choir Director; Folk Musician; Educator
Works published by MoV
I sing of a maiden (SATB (divisi))
There is no rose (SSAATTBB)
I sing of a maiden (SATB (divisi))
The text for I sing of a maiden comes from an anonymous fifteenth-century Middle English lyric poem about the Virgin Mary – Sloane Manuscript 2593. The original manuscript is held in the British Library. This setting reflects elements of the medieval through use of open fifths at the start and end and largely modal harmonies but with a distinctly twentieth-century flavour to the harmonies. The choir frequently uses vocalizations in order to let the words be heard and whilst some of the harmony is complex it is always led by the individual vocal lines.
First performed by The Music Makers of London (directed by Hilary Campbell) in December 2016, it was the winner of the Nick Edwards prize at its première. (Alison Willis)
'This work was performed by St Margaret’s Choristers, Westminster Abbey, in their Advent service in December 2023.
The service was the first to be sung by girls in the Abbey’s 800 year history!
Alison Willis
I sing of a maiden (SATB (divisi))
This work is published in our anthology Volume 1 and as a licenced digital pdf
To order the sheet music click on the buttons below.
Perusal score coming soon
(August 2025)
There is no rose (SSAATTBB)
There is no rose (an allegory for the Virgin Mary), is the second movement of Rosarium, a set of five medieval carols which can be sung individually or as a collection.
There is no rose (SSAATTBB)
This work is published in our anthology Volume 3 and as a licenced digital pdf
To order the sheet music click on the buttons below.
Perusal score coming soon
(August 2025)
Alison Willis (b. 1971)
Writing music described as 'rather beautiful' (Suzy Klein, BBC Radio 3), 'beautiful, scholarly yet singable' (Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford) and 'stunning!' (Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3), Alison (b. 1971) is an award winning composer whose works have been performed and broadcast across the UK and internationally by ensembles including the BBC Singers, The Gesualdo Six, BBC Concert Orchestra and the Ora Singers.
Alison finds particular inspiration in historical sources and events, forgotten women, social issues, and English Folk music and she particularly enjoys working collaboratively with both young people and adults.
Recent works include Fantasia on Christmas Carols from Landkey, commissioned by The Winkleigh Singers to mark their fortieth anniversary, Be Still, My Soul, premiered at the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music 2024, I Am Bartholomew for the 900th Anniversary of St Bart's the Great, Smithfield, 'We're Nor 'Avin' It!', a micro-opera written in collaboration with performers from Streetwise Opera and premiered with the BBC Concert Orchestra and members of The Sixteen at the Southbank Centre, the Derby Service written for Derby Cathedral and Salve Deus, Rex Judaeorum for Luminosa. She is currently working on a collection of medieval carols and a set of twenty-four Preludes and Fugues for organ.
When not composing or educating, Alison can be found walking her dogs on the beach, feeding the chickens, or making soup for her family from the vegetables in the garden.
AW 30 June 2025
Alison outlines her motivations and her joy for music.