Benjamin Nicholas

Following an extensive period performing in the choirs attached to English cathedrals and academic institutions, Benjamin Nicholas assumed the role of principal conductor with the Oxford Bach Choir in 2018. Within the traditionally cautious environment surrounding cathedral choral traditions, he has shown consistent advocacy for new compositions.

Nicholas entered the world in 1976. In common with numerous English choral leaders, his own beginnings lay in the Choir of Norwich Cathedral as a chorister, and he remains an Old Norvicensian after attending the Norwich School. In 1994 he took up duties as organ scholar at Chichester Cathedral, moving the next year to the same position at Lincoln College, Oxford; there he guided the Chapel Choir through an Italian tour and two Guild Music recordings while completing his undergraduate studies. He assumed leadership of the Oxford Chamber Choir in 1997, and the subsequent year secured the organ scholarship at St. Paul's Cathedral. His studies at the cathedral were overseen by John Scott, while he simultaneously instructed at the London Oratory School, directed the Yateley Choral Society, and served as director at St. Luke's Church in Chelsea. Even as a student he promoted contemporary repertoire, conducting the first performance of John Caldwell's opera Good Friday and overseeing later presentations, one of which appeared on Classic FM as opera recording of the month for August 2000. The following September he was appointed director of Tewkesbury Cathedral's Schola Cantorum and Choir of the Abbey, overseeing daily services in the historic building. In 2008 he became director of music at Merton College, Oxford, where international attention followed from tours across Italy, France, Sweden, and the United States, together with world premieres of pieces by James MacMillan, Bob Chilcott, and Harrison Birtwistle.

He has also presented solo organ recitals in the majority of Britain's principal cathedrals. Recordings issued on the Delphian label with the Tewkesbury Cathedral choirs and the Choir of Merton College, Oxford, have earned strong critical notice, among them a 2019 account of Gabriel Jackson's The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Upon taking charge of the Oxford Bach Choir he assumed direction of a well-regarded amateur ensemble numbering 120 singers. Further Delphian releases have included the 2020 album Sleeper's Prayer: Choral Music from North America and, in 2022, a recording of Ian Venables's Requiem, both featuring the Choir of Merton College, Oxford.