Ben started learning the piano aged 7 in his home town of Glossop, Derbyshire and after 8 years of playing he decided to take up a new instrument, after dabbling on euphonium he finally settled on french horn. Two years later, in 2010, Ben attended the Junior Royal Northern College of Music where he studied french horn under Tom Redmond, and piano/composition as his second study. During his time there, Ben played in the JRNCM Brass Band which sparked his interest in the brass band movement.
Ben started his music degree at the University of Huddersfield in 2011, where he majored in composition, whilst also playing in the University Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Brass Band under Phillip McCann. During his studies at university, Ben composed his first major work for brass band entitled ‘The Mist’, a programmatic work which received its world premiere by the University Brass Band and Phillip McCann in 2013. During his final year at university Ben went on to compose more music for brass band including another major work, ‘Aurora Borealis’, and an opener entitled ‘Momentum’, which was part of the winning programme for the University of Huddersfield Brass Band at the UniBrass Championships 2014.
After graduating from university in 2014, Ben was offered the position of Composer/Arranger in Residence at the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band which he gladly accepted. Since then he has written a variety of new solos and concert music for the band including a cornet solo for Kirsty Abbotts, which has since been featured on her solo CD. ‘A Search for Peace’, and a world premiere at the Brass in Concert Championships. Ben has also enjoyed writing commissions for the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which have been included in concert performances and CD recordings, and a commission for Eminence Brass Quartet. Alongside his composition work, Ben is currently studying for a Masters by Research at the University of Huddersfield.
