LEMISA Composition Debuts · Meet the composers
Owen Dalton
South African composer
Featured composition
Skyline
Wind Quintet
Composer · Oboist · Teacher
Cape Town, South Africa
Education
BMus (2021) · MMus (2026), both cum laude
About the composer
Owen Dalton (1998-) is a South African composer, oboist and teacher based in Cape Town. He completed his BMus (2021) and MMus (2026) degrees in composition (both cum laude) at Stellenbosch University under the tutelage of Dr Antoni Schonken, Dr Hans Roosenschoon, and Arthur Feder.
He performs regularly as a freelance oboist across South Africa ranging from chamber groups to professional orchestras. He teaches oboe at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre and dabbles in clarinet, flute, saxophone, and piano.
As a composer, Dalton has taken part in numerous competitions and events. Most notably, in the South African Composers’ Award (SACA), he placed in the top 3 on multiple occasions: 2023 (2nd), 2024 (2nd) and 2025 (1st). Dalton has been composer-in-residence for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra since 2025 and will have a new work performed by them at the next SACA. He has received many commissions nationally, including from the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra, the Mizar Trio, the Symposium of South African Composers, the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dalton’s music has also garnered some international recognition. His orchestral work Century Machines (originally written for the 2024 SACA) received its international premiere by the Xalapa Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico in May 2026. Some of his chamber works have also been commissioned and/or performed by players in the UK and USA, including a wind quintet, a bass clarinet duet, a bass clarinet trio, and a recently completed bass clarinet quartet.
His music takes much inspiration from the works of Igor Stravinsky, John Adams, Dmitri Shostakovich, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Alfred Schnittke, and the wind band works of John Mackey.