Oscar Van Durme studied with Edgar Tinel at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven. During his career he was a teacher, choir director, and organist of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw church in Temse (near Antwerpen). He composed mostly religious pieces such as masses (11), motets, cantatas, and many pieces for the organ; but also produced some rather romantic secular songs and chamber music.