Conductor & Musical Director

Born in Oxford, Benedict grew up singing in his father’s church choir and playing french horn through the Oxfordshire County Music Service. He went on to read music at the University of Birmingham and sought every opportunity to work with as many musicians as possible as a conductor, singer or instrumentalist. Studying conducting under Simon Halsey, Julian Wilkins, and Daniele Rosina, Benedict enjoyed directing many of the University’s choirs and instrumental ensembles throughout his years there.

As a professional conductor, Benedict is currently the Musical Director for four adult ensembles (newCHOIR Oxford, Chipping Norton Choral Society, Oxford University Press Choir, and Cumnor Choral Society) and two youth organisations (Cotswold Youth Choir, and the Oxford Youth Choirs). In 2021 he was selected as one of four members of the National Youth Choirs’ Fellowship Scheme, studying under Ben Parry and working with musicians such as Voces8, Bob Chilcott, and Suzzie Vango, and continues to work for the organisation. Alongside his choral conducting, Benedict regularly works with instrumental ensembles, having conducted the Adderbury Ensemble, Oxford Sinfonia, Trinity Camerata, and was the Musical Director for the Telford Orchestra.

As a countertenor, Benedict has been a Stipendiary Clerk at Magdalen College Oxford, a Lay Clerk at St Chad’s and St Philip’s Cathedrals in Birmingham, a regular singer for the Birmingham Oratory, and a Lay Clerk at Coventry Cathedral. He is also a member of a The Acafellas, a barbershop quartet which he formed with friends at university, who have toured the UK and Germany. Benedict is also highly in demand as an educator, providing musical direction, singing, brass, theory, and piano lessons to both adults and children.

In his own words:

“I believe that if you can speak, you can sing. The normal range people use when they speak, the dynamics (loud and soft) and the pitch modulation (high and low) are a sort of singing. It’s my job as a choral conductor to help people understand and enjoy using their voices, working together to create something magical! I love dissecting and explaining the music we sing, so that everyone can learn and appreciate how amazing it is what we do, even if they can’t read music. I think it’s so important for people to join in and give it a go – it’s such a lifechanging thing to be part of a choir.”

The Chipping Norton Choral Society rehearses on Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm, currently in the Chipping Norton Town Hall, and afterwards go to the Chequers pub. If you have thought about singing and wonder how and where to start, pop into the pub after a rehearsal during our term time (see ‘Members’ on the website and click on ‘Rehearsals’). Ask any of the staff at the Chequers to point us out – they know us well.”

      – September 2024