Ben Pease Barton

Biography

In September 2024, Ben will complete his master’s in composition at Guildhall School, studying with Julian Anderson CBE as a Guildhall School Scholar. Before this, he completed his undergraduate studies at the School with Anderson, Cassandra Miller and Malcolm Singer, receiving the Tracy Chadwell Memorial Prize for composition. In the summer of 2023, he studied with Michael Jarrell at the Académie Ravel in Ravel’s hometown of Ciboure, culminating in the premiere of his ensemble work ‘Nachtstrahlen’ in San Sebastián as part of the Festival Ravel, and where he also participated in masterclasses with Ramon Lazkano and Helmut Lachenmann. Before starting at Guildhall, he studied with the brilliant David Stowell at GYAN as a Leverhulme Arts Scholar, and on programmes such as the Britten Sinfonia Academy with Tom Coult, and the Royal Opera House Fanfare young composers’ scheme (co-led by Charlotte Bray). It was thanks to GYAN that he had his first professional premiere – by the Gildas Quartet at the King’s Lynn Festival – an opportunity which cemented his wish to pursue a career in composition.

He has since written for ensembles including EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble, the Ligeti Quartet, PlusMinus Ensemble, Guildhall Session Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and players of the London Symphony Orchestra, and worked with conductors including Jack Sheen, Sir Antonio Pappano, James Weeks, William Cole and Alphonse Cemin.

Recently, he was the first ever student composer commissioned for the annual Guildhall Artists in New York event, for which his piece 'Fall' – a setting of Olivia Bell’s specially written eponymous poem – was premiered by soprano Manon Ogwen Parry, violinist Kryštof Kohout and pianist William Bracken at Carnegie Hall in January 2024.

Originally from Essex, Ben grew up in Norwich from the age of 11. He attended City of Norwich School, where he has since returned to give composition classes and workshops.