Composer
Pianist
Director
Educator

Dr David Önaç – MA(Cantab), MPhil, MMus, LRSM, PhD

ATLANTIC REQUIEM (London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Malcolm J Merriweather, LSO St Luke’s, 11 Oct 2026)

Experience the world premiere of David Önaç's powerful new work. You can buy London Symphony Orchestra Atlantic Requiem tickets online, explore the background in this David Önaç Atlantic Requiem program feature, or listen to the composer's BBC Radio 3 In Tune interview discussing the piece.

Overview

David A T Önaç is a versatile composer, pianist, musical director and educator based in Manchester (UK) specialising in concert music, jazz and gospel

Current & Recent Projects

ATLANTIC REQUIEM (London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Malcolm J Merriweather, LSO St Luke’s, 11 Oct 2026)
BOOK TICKETS | READ ARTICLE

NEW VERSION: HOLST’S “PLANETS” ((Wyatt Sinfonia, THAMES, HMS, 350 primary & secondary school students, Evolutionary Arts Theatre, 17 Nov 2026)
    • 2026 Wyatt Sinfonia commission (with thanks to The Holst Estate), combining and contextualising lyrics & melodies generated by primary & secondary school students on themes inspired by “The Planets” and overlaying them onto Holst’s original instrumental score.
    • more info here and here
    • Find more recordings of selected works at my Soundcloud page

Past Performances, Publications & Prizes

Accomplished, virtuosic pianist of diverse concert repertoire

  • Many premieres of David’s works feature him as a solo pianist.
    Four Etudes – for solo piano.
  • Piano soloist in concertos by Gershwin, Grieg, Rachmaninov and Schumann.
  • Dedicated piano tutor – LRSM in piano performance, distinction, 2009.

Experienced Jazz & Gospel composer, arranger, director and practitioner

  • Voices Beyond Gospel Collective, new single ‘Freedom’, 2022
    Listen
  • MJF ‘Hothouse’ artist development scheme 2018.
  • BBC Songs of Praise, finalists, 2016.
  • UGCY, winners, 2012, 2013, 2018.

Highly qualified educator of diverse age ranges

  • PhD in Composition, University of Manchester 2013.
  • Teaching Fellow in Music, University of Birmingham 2013-17.
  • Academic Tutor in Composition, Arrangement & Jazz, JRNCM 2018-present.
  • Private tuition at all levels  from primary to postgraduate

References

David's patience and teaching approach is absolutely outstanding. He ensures that all students understand before moving on to the next topic even if this means repeating himself in several different ways. His knowledge and passion of the subject is clear to see and his enthusiasm is infectious. You never feel nervous asking a question in his seminar and know that you will be supported through any difficult topics that arise…”

— Module Evaluation Questionnaire, Student Feedback, Tonal Harmony & Counterpoint

...but if you’re looking for something new, then David Önaç’s ‘A Distant Star in the Stillness’ may have become my standout piece of the new [2023-24 ABRSM] syllabus. Perhaps visually straightforward, it requires careful voicing of the chords, effective pedalling and a real feel for the sonorous nature of the piano. It’s a piece that is as much about the capabilities of the instrument, as it is about the notes themselves. It’s an outstanding composition from a name I’ve not come across before. I hope he’s someone we’ll see and hear lots more from in the future

— David Barton Music