After singing in school choirs growing up, Ben's formal choral background began when, aged 16, he joined Ulster Youth Choir under Greg Beardsell, taking singing lessons with Robert Rice. With UYC, he performed extensively, featured on BBC Songs of Praise and went on to sing as part of BBC Youth Proms Chorus for the performance of Britten's War Requiem accompanied by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) at The Royal Albert Hall, conducted by Andris Nelsons (chorusmaster was Sir Simon Halsey). Ben went on to read Music at The University of York, with Voice as his primary study under John Powell and conducting under John Stringer. He sang as a member of University Choir and University Chamber Choir, directed by Professor Peter Seymour.

 

Ben's own conducting career began when he was invited to direct a gospel choir to back Elvis tribute band, Letterkenny Cats aged only 16. In 2014, Ben was appointed as Musical Director for Military Wives Choir, York, whom he conducted through a very busy concert series including performances as part of Scarborough Proms (highlighted by Alfie Boe), BBC Radio 3, Remembrance Sunday services at York Minster and album recordings with Lulu, Aled Jones and more. During his time in Yorkshire, he went on to accept positions conducting Harmonize Contemporary Choir and Park Grove Children's Choir and served a term as Guest Conductor for Easingwold Singers. In 2017, he was invited to serve as Guest Musical Director for BBC York In Harmony.

 

Now based in London, Ben has been appointed as Musical Director for BBC Children In Need for Enterprise Charity Gala, in Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum conducting the mass children's choir for three years running, and is an Associate Musical Director for Interlude Choir, London.