Description
Trinity†St. Peter’s Welcome Benjamin Bachmann for the First Sunday’s Organ Recital
Benjamin Bachmann is Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakland. Ben comes to St. Paul’s after serving as Canon Director of Music at Grace Cathedral
in San Francisco for 17 years.
Ben is a native of Akron, Ohio. Born into a musical family, he started piano lessons at age five, served as a chorister from a young age, and received his first organ training there with Robert Quade. Ben received the Emilie Spivey Scholarship at Clayton College and State University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied organ with Richard Morris. After completing his
undergraduate degree in music, he served as Assistant Director of Music at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, under Dr. Robert Poovey. Ben received his Master’s Degree at the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Margaret Phillips. At the Royal College, he was the recipient of the Walford Davies Organ Prize in 2004. During his time in London, Ben was Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s Knightsbridge and Farm Street Church. Ben was made a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists in 2008.
Ben joined the staff at Grace Cathedral in 2005 as Assistant Director of Music and was installed as Canon Director of Music in 2010. Ben brings exceptional skill in organ playing, choral conducting of both professionals and volunteers, years of experience training young voices, composition, and a thorough knowledge of Anglican Church Music, the liturgical year, and the rites of the Episcopal church. His original compositions and arrangements have been performed internationally.
In addition to his work as a musician in the Anglican tradition, he also enjoys playing piano, particularly American styles like jazz, ragtime, show tunes, and Gospel music. He is known to hold court at piano bars and sing-alongs. He also loves cooking and baking and hosts themed dinner parties, researching the history of recipes, and writing about his experiences.
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Website: www.trinity-stpeters.org
Contact: Music Director Robert Gurney robertgurney11@gmail.com