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Cecilia McDowall is a British composer of classical music, known for her choral works and chamber music. She was born in London in 1951 and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a composer and conductor. McDowall began playing the piano at a young age and showed an early talent for music. McDowall studied music at Trinity College of Music in London, where she earned a degree in piano performance. She later studied composition with Joseph Horovitz and Adam Gorb at the Royal Academy of Music. McDowall's early works were influenced by the music of Benjamin Britten and Igor Stravinsky, but she soon developed her own unique style. McDowall's music is characterized by its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and use of vivid colors and textures. She often draws inspiration from nature, literature, and art. McDowall's choral works are particularly notable for their use of text, which she sets with great sensitivity and imagination. One of McDowall's most famous works is "Ave Maris Stella," a setting of the Latin hymn to the Virgin Mary. The piece was commissioned by the choir of Merton College, Oxford, and has since become a staple of the choral repertoire. McDowall's other choral works include "Magnificat," "Stabat Mater," and "The Lord is Good." McDowall has also composed a number of chamber works, including "The Moon Dances," a suite for flute and piano, and "Six Pastiches," a collection of pieces for clarinet and piano. Her music has been performed by many of the world's leading ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers, and the King's Singers. In addition to her work as a composer, McDowall is also a respected teacher and lecturer. She has taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has given masterclasses and workshops around the world. McDowall's music has won numerous awards and accolades, including the British Composer Award for Choral Music in 2014. She was also named Composer of the Year at the 2018 Classic FM Awards. McDowall's music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world, and she remains one of the most important and influential composers of her generation.

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