About

Michael O’Donnell’s compositional style balances the deep understanding of melody from his Celtic music upbringing with the rich harmony and the exploratory nature of jazz music from Europe, America and Africa. O’Donnell’s body of work encompasses orchestral, chamber music, swing band and educational commissions.

Known for his distinctive left handed violin/viola playing, O’Donnell’s string-sympathetic compositions and arrangements have captured the attention and imagination of the Sydney Cello Quartet, The Dunedin Orchestra, The Wattleseed Ensemble, Melbourne-based Chamber-Folk trio The Neon Effect and many Australian schools and tertiary ensembles, with commissions for bespoke compositions and arrangements.

In 2022, his composition “Get Set” for solo pedal-harp won the Commonwealth Community Music Initiative composition competition and was performed at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

2024 saw O’Donnell collaborate with Sydney classical ensemble The Olive Trio on a performance of “The National” for oboe, violin and harp, and beginning work on a ten minute original work for cello quartet, commissioned by the Sydney Cello Quartet. Michael has recently completed his orchestral commission, ”Lullaby” which was performed by the Dunedin Collegiate Orchestra in June 2023. In 2024, Michael wrote 60 minutes of original music and arrangements of high profile Australian and international artists to be performed at the National Folk Festival to a standing ovation of 2000 seats. He is currently composing his first violin concerto for a 2027 international soloist.

When not writing, Michael can (or can’t be) found in the Australian bush, enjoying his love of long distance hiking.