Benjamin Costello
Ben is a London-based musical director, choral director, singing coach, accompanist and adjudicator. A highly versatile musician, he performs and teaches in very diverse genres ranging from the Renaissance period to contemporary music, but principally musical theatre, and he has been involved with numerous productions across the U.K.
Ben has worked extensively throughout the Further and Higher Education sectors and all of the major London performing arts colleges as a musical director, vocal coach and lecturer. These have included Arts Ed (London), Mountview, Guildford School of Acting, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, the London College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, and the universities of London (Birkbeck), Surrey and Kingston. He also judges at competitive festivals throughout the U.K. as an adjudicator member of both the British and International Federation of Festivals and the Schools Music Association.
In addition to working with many choral groups he is Music Director of Kingston Chamber Singers, and as an accompanist collaborates with a wide variety of singers, including since 1998 the distinguished soprano Alison Pearce. From 2006 to 2010 he was Chairman of Kingston Arts Council, and is currently Artistic Director of the biennial Kingston Festival of the Voice. His performing work frequently takes him overseas, most recently to France, Poland, Crete, Italy and Zimbabwe.
Born in London in 1976, Ben read Music at Kingston University (B.Mus., M.A.), winning the conducting prize, and the London College of Music (P.G.Dip.); joining the staff there as resident musical director for six years. Principal singing tutor at Shrewsbury House Boys’ School since 2005, he suspended doctoral research on accepting an invitation to become Director of Music at the School in September 2010.
September 2011
Ben can be contacted on +44 (0)7889 659324.
Fourth Annual Festival of the Voice
Ben is Director of 2011’s Kingston Festival of the Voice. In this, his final time as Director, he will be involved in the following events:
Opening Festival Concert — Thames Philharmonic Choir
Saturday 19th November 7.30pm (open rehearsal 2.30pm; pre-concert discussion 7.00pm)
All Saints’ Parish Church, Market Place, Kingston KT1 1JP
Thames Philharmonic Choir under the direction of guest conductor Benjamin Costello perform works by Britten (St Nicolas), Quilter (Non nobis Domine), Vaughan Williams (Toward the Unknown Region) and Kevin Jones (Send thy peace, O Lord). The choir will be joined by trebles from Shrewsbury House School.
Student Singers’ Workshop (popular music and musical theatre)
Sunday 20th November 10am to 4pm
Lovekyn Chapel, London Road, Kingston KT2 6PY
Heather Keens (international soloist, tutor for Vocal Process and the University of Surrey) and Benjamin Costello lead a relaxed workshop for young singers looking to enter the world of musical theatre and popular music. This event is particularly suitable for young inexperienced singers. Admission by application.
Festival Recital — Robin Blaze
Wednesday 23rd November 7.30pm (pre-concert discussion 7.00pm)
St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew’s Road, Surbiton KT6 4DT
Distinguished international countertenor Robin Blaze gives a rare recital, performing a varied programme to include music by Purcell, Tippett and Britten (canticles), and the world premiere of Festival of the Voice commission Internal Harmony (Kevin Jones). Robin will be joined by Mark Dobell (tenor), Ben Davies (baritone), and accompanied at the piano by Festival Director Benjamin Costello.
Student Singers’ Masterclass
Sunday 27th November 10am to 4pm
Lovekyn Chapel, London Road, Kingston KT2 6PY
Alison Pearce (distinguished soloist, adjudicator, examiner, and former professor at the Royal Academy of Music) makes a welcome return to the Festival to lead another masterclass for student singers looking to audition at the London conservatoires. Accompanied by Festival Director Benjamin Costello and set in the calm setting and fine acoustic of the 14th-century Lovekyn Chapel. Admission by application.
Closing Festival Concert – Celebrate this Festival
Saturday 3rd December 7.30pm (open rehearsal 2.30pm; pre-concert discussion 7.00pm)
St Andrew’s Church, St Andrew’s Road, Surbiton KT6 4DT
Kingston Chamber Singers, trebles from Shrewsbury House School, the Solaris Quartet and ensemble and a host of distinguished soloists (including Michael Bundy, Sarah Probert, Lisa Beckley and Stephen Hogg) combine under the direction of Benjamin Costello to provide a rousing conclusion to this year’s Festival, performing Purcell’s sublime ode Celebrate this Festival and Blow’s outstanding masque Venus and Adonis.