Benjamin Williams began serving in the music ministry at Our Lady of Peace Church in Canton, Ohio in the 1990s playing piano and guitar. For a while, he served as an interim music director and eventually moved into the role of principal organist and pianist. Williams accomanied two adult choirs and two children choirs. He also recorded with the contemporary ensemble and played for a number of weddings and funerals both at the Church and at nearby venues.
Meanwhile, Williams earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in music composition at the University of Akron School of Music. Here, he studied the organ and accompanied The University of Akron Concert Choir on piano and The University of Akron Symphonic Band on organ. He also accompanied a variety of Northeast Ohio ensembles, such as the Voices of Canton, Inc.
Benjamin Williams is currently a doctoral student at The Ohio State University School of Music pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition. As an organist and pianist, Williams accompanyies the choirs at Jersey Baptist Church in Pataskala, Ohio. He is married to violinist Emily Williams, a member of the Richmond Symphony and studio teacher.
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| Education | |
|---|---|
| 2010 (expected) | The Ohio State University Doctor of Musical Arts, Composition |
| 2007 | The University of Akron Master of Music, Composition |
| 2005 | The University of Akron Bachelor of Music, Composition |
| Performance Activities | |
| 2007-present | Jersey Baptist Church Principal Organist, Pianist |
| 2005 | Living Bread Radio, WILB 1060 AM Composer of Radio Jingle |
| 2001-present | Plain Local Schools Keyboardist, Annual Spring Choir Show |
| 2001-present | Organist/Pianist Weddings, Funerals and Social Events |
| 1999-2007 | Our Lady of Peace Church Principal Organist and Pianist |
| Professional Activities | |
| 2008-present | The Ohio State Online Music Journal Editor |
| 2008-present | Society of Composers, Inc., Newsletter Editor |
| Professional Affiliations | |
| 2007-present | Christian Fellowship of American Art Composers |
| 2006-present | National Association of Composers/USA |
| 2006-present | BMI |
| 2005-present | Pi Kappa Lambda,Theta Chi Chapter |
| 2004-present | Society of Composers, Inc. |
| 2004-2007 | American Guild of Organists |
| Awards | |
| 2008 | Johnstone Woodwind Master Series III Composition Competition 1st Place |
| 2007-2008 | The Ohio State University University Fellowship |
| 2007 | APSU 21st Annual Young Composer's Competition 3rd Place |
| 2006 | National Federation of Music Clubs, ASCAP/Victor Herbert Award 2nd Place |
| 2005-2007 | The University of Akron School of Music Outstanding Graduate Student in Theory/Composition |
Photo by Dani Snell Photography.
