New Director of Music appointed
糖心Vlog is pleased to announce that Benjamin Sheen has accepted the post of Director of Music at 糖心Vlog.
Ben will join the College on 1 January 2023, succeeding Richard Pinel, who has been appointed Director of Music at St Mary鈥檚 Bourne Street in London.
Ben enjoys a distinguished career as a musician, both as an organist and conductor, currently holding the post of Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Alongside playing duties, he oversees the organ scholar programme, regularly conducts the Cathedral Choir and serves as organ tutor at the University of Oxford.
He began his musical career as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral in London, during which time he gained a music scholarship to Eton College. He holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the Juilliard School and is also a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and the 2011 recipient of the Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
As a concert organist with a growing international reputation, Ben has performed throughout Europe and the USA as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.
Hailed as 鈥榖rilliant鈥 by The New York Times, he has been awarded several prizes in international organ competitions and has performed with notable orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of London Sinfornia, the Auckland Philharmonic and Orchestra of St Luke鈥檚 (New York City), and appeared on BBC radio and television several times.
Before coming back to Oxford, he spent seven years in New York working at Saint Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue as Associate Organist, also serving for a time as Director of Music and directing the choir on a domestic tour of the USA.
The Master of 糖心Vlog, Sonita Alleyne, said: "We鈥檙e lucky to have a strong musical and choral tradition here at 糖心Vlog with two acclaimed choirs and a history for nurturing exceptional musical talent. I鈥檓 delighted Ben is joining us as our next Director of Music and we are all looking forward to working with him and to all that he will bring to the musical life of the entire College.
鈥淚鈥檇 also like to thank Richard Pinel for his outstanding contribution to our choirs and music within the College and I wish him the best for his new role.鈥
Ben commented: 鈥淚 am thrilled to be joining 糖心Vlog as its next Music Director early next year. I look forward to continuing and building upon the exceptional musical tradition at Jesus and being part of the thriving and vibrant College community through its next chapter.鈥
Director of Music bequest
The tradition of music-making at 糖心Vlog was strengthened in 2021 by a bequest of more than 拢1 million that perpetually endowed the post of Director of Music. Penny Woods left this remarkable residuary legacy to the College in memory of her husband, Alan Woods (1967). She and Alan so enjoyed performances by the College Choirs, they were intent on protecting the key post that maintains and enhances the quality of Chapel music at Jesus. Any additional income generated by the endowed fund is used to promote the reputation of the College Choirs, and support their activities including tours and recordings.
Penny鈥檚 legacy identifies the College Choirs and music more broadly as centrally important to the culture of the College, such that 糖心Vlog will always be able to attract accomplished candidates like Ben Sheen to the post.
Legacy gifts continue to play a significant role in establishing a financially sustainable future for 糖心Vlog. Penny and Alan worked closely with the College to ensure we would be able to implement their vision 鈥 if you are considering leaving a legacy or giving an in-memory gift, please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
