About
Benjamin Oliver is a composer, conductor and jazz pianist.
Ben's music has been performed internationally, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, released on labels including Linn and Prima Facie, and his ‘Loop Concerto for jazz trio and large ensemble’ was nominated in the Contemporary Jazz category of the British Composer Awards 2017.
Key musical collaborators and commissioners include: pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam; Ensemble Paramirabo (Montreal); Riot Ensemble; London Sinfonietta; ensemble mise-en (New York); BBC Symphony Orchestra; toy pianist Dorothy Chan (New York); jazz pianist Ivo Neame; and theorboist Elizabeth Kenny.
Ben has undertaken a wide range of conducting with youth and professional ensembles including Workers Union Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Performing Arts Collaboration South and Kent County Youth Orchestra.
Ben teaches a range of undergraduate modules in composition, ensemble performance and community music as well as supervising composition MMus portfolios and PhD projects.
Ben is currently on research leave (semester 1 2023-2024) and will take on the role of postgraduate admissions tutor in semester 2.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Composition (Instrumental and Electronic)
- Conducting Research
- Sonification
- Music and Cochlear Implants
- Jazz and Popular Music Performance and Improvisation
Current research
Ben has recently completed works for New York toy pianist Dorothy Chan, Laefer Saxophone Quartet and Riot Ensemble and Hannah Williams. He also recently created new works for film with Myanmar artist Moe Myat May Zarchi and for London Sinfonietta with Alys Scott-Hawkins. Puppetry-music production 'Pythagoras' Toolkit', co-created with director Rachel Warr, was premiered by Ensemble Paramirabo and Dotted Line Theatre in Montreal in March 2023.
Current projects include saxophone/percussion duo for Duo AIRS (Montreal) and 'The Driver' with performance poet Luke Wright.
Research projects
Completed projects
Publications
Pagination
Teaching
Ben teaches composition across all levels, conducting and delivers ensemble training/mentoring. He lead the development of a community music module in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Benjamin Oliver is a composer, conductor and jazz pianist.
Ben's music has been performed internationally, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, released on labels including Linn and Prima Facie, and his ‘Loop Concerto for jazz trio and large ensemble’ was nominated in the Contemporary Jazz category of the British Composer Awards 2017.
Key musical collaborators and commissioners include: pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam; Ensemble Paramirabo (Montreal); Riot Ensemble; London Sinfonietta; ensemble mise-en (New York); BBC Symphony Orchestra; toy pianist Dorothy Chan (New York); jazz pianist Ivo Neame; and theorboist Elizabeth Kenny.
Ben has undertaken a wide range of conducting with youth and professional ensembles including Workers Union Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Performing Arts Collaboration South and Kent County Youth Orchestra.
Ben teaches a range of undergraduate modules in composition, ensemble performance and community music as well as supervising composition MMus portfolios and PhD projects.
Ben is currently on research leave (semester 1 2023-2024) and will take on the role of postgraduate admissions tutor in semester 2.