Ben Macpherson

Ben Macpherson has been the Choral Director of the Orange Regional Conservatorium Symphonic Choir since 2007.

In this time, he has focussed on developing the choir’s ensemble and broadening the repertoire. The choir has performed a variety of works, from Bach to spirituals, and from Renaissance motets to Opera Choruses. Ben prepared the choir for their acclaimed performances of Messiah last year under Graham Sattler’s baton.

Ben was the musical director of the Sydney University Musical Society for 23 years from 1983. Under his direction, S.U.M.S. performed many of the major choral/orchestral masterworks, from the Berlioz Te Deum, through Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, to Tippett’s A Child of Our Time and representative pieces of most major composers from the 18th to the 20th centuries. He has also conducted most of Sydney’s major youth orchestras, such as the Sydney Youth Orchestra, the SBS Youth Orchestra, the Sydney University Orchestra, and orchestras from the Sydney Conservatorium.

Ben has a long association with Intervarsity Choral Festivals, conducting and chorus mastering at eleven festivals since 1984. Highlights include preparing the 46th I.V.C.F. choir for the ABC's performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in 1995, under Sir Charles Mackerras. In 2002 he was musical director for the 53rd festival in Sydney. He has also conducted and chorus mastered the Sydney Philharmonia choirs on many occasions. He has prepared the massed choirs for Sydney Sings Messiah performances, and was a chorus master for Mahler's Eighth Symphony for the ABC in 1993. He has prepared the Motet Choir for the Monteverdi Vespers, Handel’s Samson and the music of Josquin.

Ben has conducted and sung with the Sydney Chamber Choir, and has sung with the Australian Opera Chorus, The Song Company, and Cantillation. He has adjudicated at many choral competitions, including the 2006 ABC Choir of the Year Competition. In the Australia Day honours in 2002 Ben was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for services to music.