
CHORAL DIRECTION
Ben grew up in Northern Ireland and began his choral journey singing with Ulster Youth Choir under Greg Beardsell, taking singing lessons with Robert Rice. With the group, he performed on BBC Songs of Praise and as part of BBC Youth Proms Chorus for Britten's War Requiem accompanied by City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) (conducted by Andris Nelsons) at The Royal Albert Hall, also recorded for BBC Radio 3. His first experience of conducting was aged 17, he was asked to direct a gospel choir to back Elvis tribute band Letterkenny Cats for a performance at Riverside Theatre, Coleraine.
Leaving Northern Ireland to read Music at The University of York, Ben sang as part of University Chamber Choir and University Choir under the direction of Professor Peter Seymour. He took singing lessons with John Powell and studied conducting under Dr. John Stringer and solo voice ensemble with Robert Hollingsworth, director of internationally renowned I Fagiolini. In his final year of study, Ben was iinvited to serve as Musical Director for Vocal Point, the University's own registered departmental musical theatre ensemble, Vocal Point.
In 2014, Ben was appointed as Musical Director for Military Wives Choir, York, conducting them for five years through a very busy performance diary including appearances. at Scarborough Proms, BBC Radio 3, Remembrance Sunday services at York Minster and album recordings with Lulu, Aled Jones and others. He also conducted Harmonize Contemporary Choir, rehearsing the group weekly in Selby, North Yorkshire and leading their concert series.
In 2017, he was invited to serve as Guest Musical Director for BBC York In Harmony delivering choral workshops and assisting in the delivery of a recording of "Parting Glass" for BBC Radio Yorkshire. Ben also served as Guest Conductor for Easingwold Singers, working toward their performance of Five Days That Changed The World by Bob Chilcott.
In 2018, he was named as Musical Director for Park Grove Children's Choir and conducted the young choir for a year before leaving to study for his MA in Musical Direction at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Since 2019, Ben, now based in London, has been Musical Director for BBC Children In Need Choir conducting at Enterprise Charity Gala at Hintze Hall, The Natural History Museum and is Associate Musical Director for Interlude Choir, London.

