choral music
Ben’s music “brings words and images to life”
his “cutting edge polyphony” mixes inspirations and traditions - unleashing “vivid musical colour”
Ben Rowarth, Newcastle born composer, is recognised internationally for his choral writing. He has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles and institutions including The Tallis Scholars, BBC Singers, The Marian Consort, I Fagiolini, Merton College Oxford, York Minster, The Tower of London, Huddersfield Choral Society and The London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. His choral works are regularly performed overseas, including by Atlanta Master Chorale (USA), The New Consort (USA), Fabercantus (Italy), Capella Dorestad (Netherlands), Divisi Singers (Australia). Ben’s choral music has featured on multiple choral recordings. His music receives regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and his experimental vocal work The Short Walk of a Madman was also used as the soundtrack to the silent film A Short Walk, directed by Sophia Carr-Gomm.
Ben balances his composition practice with a busy performing schedule as singer and conductor. He has worked extensively with some of the UK’s finest professional ensembles, including BBC Singers, I Fagiolini, Siglo De Oro, Exaudi, The Tallis Scholars and The Fieri Consort, and some of the world’s most renowned conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Marin Alsop. His experience as a singer gives him a unique take on workings of the voice, the practicalities of performing choral music and the creative potential of music written for singers. As a conductor, he is always delighted at the opportunity to work closely (whether conducting workshops, rehearsals or concerts) with ensembles performing his work. He is next due to direct performances of ‘A Short Walk’ with the Fieri Consort in 2026.
Ben holds the post of Stipendiary Lecturer in Music at the University of Oxford. His music is published worldwide by Harrison Parrott’s publishing arm ‘Birdsong’ and distributed worldwide by Faber Music Publishing.