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Biography

Benedict has performed through Europe and the US (from The Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall), recorded for several labels, for BBC and NBC Television, the BFI, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 & 4.

 

Originally from Oxfordshire, he held two conducting scholarships at Cambridge University before continuing his studies with the heads of conducting at the Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, and Vienna University of Music. He studied for a Master's degree at Birmingham University where, studying under Simon Halsey, he gained the course’s highest-ever conducting mark. 

Benedict is founder and artistic director of The Facade Ensemble, which specialises in 20th-century chamber music. They are currently Ensemble-in-Residence at The Courtauld Institute, and enjoying a reputation for 'razor-sharp' (The Arts Desk), 'first-rate' (MusicOMH), and 'stunning' (Robert Hugill) performances.

As a chorus master, Benedict works across England as the Musical Director of Ipswich Chamber Choir, Bath Bach Choir, Bury Bach Choir, Eye Bach Choir, and the Mid Norfolk Singers. His current choirs attest to his ‘knowledge, style, inspiration, enthusiasm and love of music’, as well as his sense of fun. He also follows in the footsteps of Holst and Tippett in holding the post of Lecturer & Choir Tutor at Morley College.

 

As well as chorus mastering, Benedict has worked with the Berlin Sinfonietta, assisted with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted the Southbank Sinfonia and British Youth Opera. He was conductor of the West Kent Youth Orchestra for many years, and has been a guest conductor for choirs, orchestras, and opera companies around the country.

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Benedict has composed and arranged over a hundred pieces of music for choirs and instrumental ensembles. His most recent sound installation celebrating Calvino's centenary year had a world tour including residencies in Liverpool, California, the Bermondsey Project Space (London), and the Arte Borgo Gallery (Rome).