Benjamin Dean Taylor is a composer of contemporary concert music. His energetic, adventurous music provides a uniquely refreshing sonic experience for performers and audiences alike. Trained as a trumpet player and pianist, he performs with and writes music for chamber ensembles, jazz combos and big bands, wind bands, orchestras, choirs, and experimental ensembles. As a sought-after composer for wind band, Taylor has been commissioned by over 100 band directors of players at all educational levels. Much of his music includes electronic elements - from prerecorded sounds to live, interactive electronics and video.
Passionate about inspiring the rising generation of composers, he is the founder and executive director of Music Creators Academy, a yearly summer program that teaches musical creativity in a virtual setting. He also serves as the Program Director for the Indiana University Jacobs Composition Academy and is a member of the Blue Dot Collective.
Passionate about inspiring the rising generation of composers, he is the founder and executive director of Music Creators Academy, a yearly summer program that teaches musical creativity in a virtual setting. He also serves as the Program Director for the Indiana University Jacobs Composition Academy and is a member of the Blue Dot Collective.
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New work for virtual performance!
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Concert Band in virtual performance ca. 4-5 minutes Grade: 2 This work was designed to embrace Zoom as a new performance space. All players perform live, unmuted. Any teleconference platform will work such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, though in our experimentation, Zoom gave the best audio results. The piece is setup to work with the inherent latency of these platforms by creating aleatoric textures with free flowing solo melodies on top. Instrumentation (very flexible) Flute/Oboe Clarinet Alto Sax/F Horn Trumpet Trombone/Bassoon/Tuba/T. Sax./B. Sax./Bs. Clar. Percussion (all playing bells, or may substitute piano) VISIT WORK PAGE |
NEW Flex/Adaptable works for ensemble (Band or Orchestra)
Each of these works is written or arranged specifically for our unprecedented times surrounding the COVID19 pandemic. It is my hope that we can empower the rising generation to make meaningful and engaging music together, whether that be virtually or in small groups in-person. My work with Music Creators Academy has shown me that this is not only possible but offers many benefits and advantages not previously available. All of these works are for flexible instrumentation with electronic audio track. They are ideal for students to put together using a platform like bandlab.com or soundtrap.com. I sincerely hope you and your students enjoy them!
Intermountain Underground NEW VIDEO
Music Creator's Academy - Virtual Summer Music Camp
I'm so proud to have worked with such wonderful students and composers! This project gave me a focus for my creative energy during this tumultuous time for music making.
Educators, please check out my recent Ebook titled, "Teaching Musical Creativity: A Practical Guide for Music Directors" where you'll find composition and improvisation games and activities that you can do with your large ensembles, whether in person or virtual! |
Yes! At MCA, during the lockdown, we performed music live on Zoom! Check out the final concert recording here
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Techno Blade featured in Scotland
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Techno Blade (for concert band and audio track) was featured at the Scottish Learning Festival at the Scottish Exhibition Centre. An incredibly talented young dancer named Ellie Fergusson choreographed a solo to go along with the music! Ellie recently won The Greatest Dancer which is a popular televised dance program in the U.K. Thank you Ellie, and all the students in the West Calder High School Senior Wind Band and their director, Camille Mason. So fun! Video of the performance is here:
https://youtu.be/aCcke5s2Kw4 |
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New Jazz Big Band Chart - Can I See Your Socks?
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My first big band chart specifically written for high school.
This piece features a sax soli and plenty of solo space on a basic extended blues form. It has made me a convert to wearing fancy dress socks! 
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The Hope Within - Indiana University
AURUM TETRA - Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Check out this great article/interview by Audrey Kelly!
https://bellinghamfestivalblog.org/2017/05/11/aurum-tetra-2017-world-premiere/
I'm thrilled to collaborate with the Calidore String Quartet and the Bellingham Festival of Music, Michael Palmer, artistic director, on my newest orchestral work titled, "Aurum Tetra." The Concerto is in three movements totaling 23 minutes in duration. The premiere occured on July 1, 2017 in Bellingham, WA. This work was funded in part by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. Recording is here
https://bellinghamfestivalblog.org/2017/05/11/aurum-tetra-2017-world-premiere/
I'm thrilled to collaborate with the Calidore String Quartet and the Bellingham Festival of Music, Michael Palmer, artistic director, on my newest orchestral work titled, "Aurum Tetra." The Concerto is in three movements totaling 23 minutes in duration. The premiere occured on July 1, 2017 in Bellingham, WA. This work was funded in part by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. Recording is here
MIDWEST CLINIC 2018
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I'm excited to announce the formation of BLUE DOT COLLECTIVE (five young composers writing fresh music for wind band). We will be at Midwest this year after a very successful launch last year.
bluedotcollective.com |
Seeds of Glass Video
Video - Stop.Rewind.Play.
Performed by Erin Yanacek
Recording of Shipbreaking by consortium member Ian Richter
European Premiere - Digital Goldfish
Digital Goldfish was performed at the Scandinavian Saxophone Festival on Thursday, April 17 at 19:30h (Danish time) at Musikhuset in Aarhus/Denmark. The ensemble consisted of:
Claus Olesen - Soprano saxophone
Joonatan Rautiola - Alto saxophone
Martin Eriksson - Tenor saxophone
Johannes Thorell - Baritone saxophone
Claus Olesen - Soprano saxophone
Joonatan Rautiola - Alto saxophone
Martin Eriksson - Tenor saxophone
Johannes Thorell - Baritone saxophone
Copyright Benjamin Taylor. All Rights Reserved.
