Dr Gemma McGregor is a composer from Orkney who writes in musical genres that include opera, choral, chamber orchestra, interdisciplinary works, installations, & film music. Her compositions have been performed in Norway, Sweden, Faroe, Iceland, Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Ireland, & the UK. Gemma studied at University of Aberdeen as an Ogston scholar & was awarded a doctorate in 2017.
Gemma’s music is recorded on seven albums & published in three anthologies. Her choral work, Love Was His Meaning, was recorded by Corvus Consort on the album, Welcome Joy. It was BBC album of the month in November 2025. She has secured commissions from St Magnus International Festival, Summartónar Festival, Sound, Nordic Viola, CoMA, Capella Nova, Multitude of Voyces & North Wales International Festival. Two works were nominated for New Music Scotland Awards – her opera The Story of Magnus Erlendsson in 2018, and Drift for soprano & clarinet in 2023. Gemma’s piece Star of the Sea was shortlisted in the Ulster Organ Competition & performed at their festival in 2025.
Gemma’s chamber music has received many performances. Illuminate commissioned four works in 2018. The Edinburgh Quartet performed four works in 2023. Red Note performed Slaughter of Ravens in 2023. Hebrides Ensemble performed Betrayal at Nordic Music Days in 2024.The Pilgrims Path, for narrator, flute, and viola, was performed at St Magnus International Festival in 2025.
Gemma enjoys collaborating & has created pieces with visual artists, dancers, filmmakers, sculptors, writers & a scientist. She completed a course on composing for film in 2025. Gemma collaborated with artist Anne Bevan and filmmaker Mark Jenkins on the film, Beside the Deep Ocean of Time about wave energy. It is on permanent exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. Gemma is currently working on a commission for an orchestral piece for North Wales International Festival 2026.