Ben Perche

Ben is a new generation conductor passionate about new music and music education.

Ben has organised and conducted ambitious performances, including a full performance of Steve Reich’s Drumming in Ypsilanti (Michigan), an international Wind Ensemble Gala concert at The Concourse (Chatswood) featuring the Tokyo Takanawandai Wind Orchestra, and musicals such as Legally Blonde.

He has worked extensively with primary and high school bands across Sydney as a conductor and administrator, particularly on the North Shore and Northern Beaches. Ben regularly works in music extension programs such as the Northern Sydney Symphonic Wind Ensemble and The Arts Unit initiatives within the Department of Education. He also authored a free Band Program Administration Handbook to help new administrators and parent committees run effective school programs, and serves on the committee of the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (NSW).

He holds bachelor’s degrees in Music (oboe and conducting) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Engineering (mechatronics) from the University of Sydney, as well as an AMusA in oboe. He developed his conducting skills through programs delivered by ABODA, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. As an oboist, Ben has played with the Regional Youth Orchestra NSW and various community orchestras and often plays in the pit for local musical theatre productions. Ben also plays clarinet, saxophone and cor anglais. After a year postgraduate study in the United States under Dr Mary Schneider, Ben is now completing a Masters of Music Studies in Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium.