Martin Evans is a Welsh composer and pianist. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London which served as a launching pad for his successful early career as a session musician and arranger. During that period, he collaborated with several European pop-rock bands and solo artists including Swiss singer Stephan Eicher, Italian singer-songwriter Gianna Nannini, the German folk-rock band Poems for Laila, and the British indie duo Shelleyan Orphan, touring extensively throughout Europe, Canada and the United States.
In recent years, his passion for composition, fuelled by the power of emotions, has led to the creation of works which span a wide range of genres from choral and instrumental to chamber and orchestral music, some including fixed media electronics.
His choral works have garnered particular attention since being a finalist in the BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition in 2017, resulting in a recording by the BBC Singers and broadcast on Radio 3. He was a finalist in the Charles Wood Composition Competition (2024), shortlisted in the Sir David Willcocks Carol Composer Competition (2023) and twice recognised in the Japan International Choral Composition Competition (2022 and 2024). In December 2025, he won the inaugural Aurora Choir Carol Composition Competition 2025 with his setting of Christina Rossetti’s well-known poem, Love Came Down at Christmas, premiered by the choir on 20 December 2025 at St Andrew’s Church, Southgate, London, N14 5PP.
A passionate supporter for the accessibility of live music and performance art to everyone, Martin recently curated and performed in a free lunchtime recital, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Titled ‘Calm Amidst the Chaos’, the event showcased a selection of his introspective solo piano and chamber works incorporating bass flute, bass clarinet, and fixed media electronics. Subsequently, his compositions featuring low wind and fixed media electronics are set to be published in 2026 by Tetractys Publishing. The full recital can be viewed here: Calm Amidst the Chaos, a recital of works by composer Martin Evans, 31/01/26.
In January 2026, Martin was announced as one of 8 composers selected to participate in Composition: Wales 2026, a development scheme led by BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) which supports and showcases Welsh and Wales-based composers. It offers selected artists the opportunity to have their latest orchestral piece workshopped, performed, and recorded by the orchestra, with the support of expert mentors throughout. The project culminated in the premiere of his orchestral piece, Seeing the Light, on 13 February 2026 at Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, conducted by Jac van Steen and performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The performance can be viewed here.