Benedict Collins Rice
musical director

Originally from Oxfordshire, Benedict honed his conducting skills in Cambridge, London, Manchester and finally in Birmingham where he gained the course’s highest-ever conducting mark.

Benedict follows in the footsteps of Holst and Tippett in holding the post of Lecturer & Choir Tutor at Morley College, London. He brings his own brand of inspiration, fun and enthusiasm to all the choirs he conducts: Ipswich Chamber Choir, Bath Bach Choir, Bury Bach Choir and Mid Norfolk Singers.

He has collaborated with the Berlin Sinfonietta, the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Southbank Sinfonia as well as British Youth Opera. He is in demand as a guest conductor for choirs, orchestras, and opera companies around the UK as well as performing throughout Europe and the USA. Listen out for his several recordings as well as broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

Keen to champion the ensemble chamber music of 20th-century modernism, Benedict founded The Facade Ensemble whilst at Cambridge University. This dynamic group of young instrumentalists and singers has members who perform with The Sixteen, Voces8, Tenebrae, the LSO and RPO. It is currently Ensemble in Residence at The Courtauld Institute where its imaginative programmes prove that engaging with music that is sometimes dismissed as ‘difficult’ can in fact be a richly rewarding experience.

When not engaged in musical pursuits, Benedict can be found walking the fens with his wife, cheering on Ipswich Town FC or battling to keep his garden under control.