Oklahoma City University : Bass School of Music

OCU : Bass School of Music : Faculty

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Benjamin Nilles
Music Director/Conductor

Email: bnilles@okcu.edu
Phone: (405) 208-5619
Office: BC B301

Benjamin Nilles is the Music Director/Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin received his Bachelor of Music degree in Horn Performance from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and his Master of Music degree in Conducting from Oklahoma City University. After receiving his masters, Benjamin began working at OCU in 2006 as Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, and in 2009 was appointed Associate Conductor. In 2010, he was appointed Music Director/Conductor. He has studied conducting with Bruce Houglum, Matthew Mailman, Mark Parker, and Mark Belcik. In 2005, Benjamin participated in the last conducting master class given by Sergiu Comissiona.

In addition to having conducted the instrumental ensembles at Concordia College and Oklahoma City University, Benjamin has also guest conducted the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and Oklahoma Youth Philharmonic, and conducted a studio orchestra for a recording session with country singer Bryan White. An advocate for new music, Benjamin has premiered and recorded over 30 new compositions in collaboration with OCU's new music organization Project 21. In 2011, he recorded a new, 80-minute score for the film Daughter of Dawn with the Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin also assists with the OCU Summer Festival for Strings each June and conducts the festival chamber orchestra.