MARGARET HALEY is a composer of chamber, orchestral and vocal music based in West Yorkshire (UK).

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Her working methods show a concern for mapping techniques as a means of skeletal construction, prior to staff notation. Often achieving an air of mystery, particularly in her instrumental projects, Margaret’s visual approach is tempered by her desire for shaping sound: Primary Colours (2003) and Black Hole (2008) two works for string orchestra alongside Cloud (2005) for saxophone quartet, explore this concept.

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Margaret's growing catalogue of choral music include two a cappella works for SATB voices, the award-winning Mother Mary Sing (2003) and The Poppy Field (2008), both of which received acclaim.  As runner-up in the New Cambridge Singers Renaissance Reimagined composition competition (2016), Margaret was invited to reimagine A Fisherman's Baby for SATB voices (with divisi) & organ (2017).

Born in England (Coventry) in 1954, Margaret began her musical life at the age of seven by receiving piano and music theory lessons before developing a real passion for classical guitar in her mid-teens.

Already an established freelance instrumental music teacher, Margaret Haley embarked on further academic study as a mature student at the University of Huddersfield, where she studied composition with the guidance of her supervisors Christopher Fox, James Saunders, and latterly Monty Adkins and Bryn Harrison. On completion of her music undergraduate course (2000) Margaret’s burgeoning interest in contemporary music led to more in-depth research. Firstly, for her Master of Arts degree, as a result, she achieved an overall distinction alongside the prestigious postgraduate music prize in 2003. And, secondly in 2010, she was awarded a PhD in composition, in partial fulfilment of her portfolio of compositions Margaret's doctoral thesis: Drawing Sound in Time: A Commentary on my Recent Music investigates a visual approach.

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In addition to academic study Margaret Haley was appointed instrumental teacher of guitar for Wakefield Music Services (September 2000-December 2004). This post afforded an opportunity to write educational material specifically for guitar ensembles (beginners - advanced level) in performance: Bugs (2002), Fishy Story (2004) and Wintertime (2004).

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