Ben Gaunt is a Yorkshire-based composer, sonic artist, and improviser. He has been nominated for an Ivor Novello Award and a British Composer Award.

“Music Patron brings support and a sense of community to a profession that can often be quite lonely and isolating.”

Ben’s music is performed frequently in the UK and around the world, and he has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the London Sinfonietta, Psappha, the Ligeti Quartet, Rarescale, and many other outstanding professional musicians.

What does being one of Ben’s patrons look like?
Patrons supporting Ben can expect updates featuring the “weird and wonderful software” he uses as part of his creative practice, and a closer look at his compositional techniques and his works-in-progress. Patrons can expect an interactive experience, with invitations to send him sound recordings and suggest ideas – some might even get their own tiny electronic composition as part of their support!

Supporting a composer on Music Patron gives you a first-hand perspective on the many elements within the creative process, and an understanding of an authentic journey of a composer. You can find out more about what it’s like to be a patron here.

Biography

Ben studied composition at the RNCM and The University of Sheffield. He received a PGCE from Manchester Metropolitan University and recently studied bouffon at École Philippe Gaulier in France. He is a Professor of Composition at Leeds Conservatoire and a tutor at Open College of the Arts, and has delivered workshops and seminars in Austria, China, France, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and the USA.

Since 2023, Ben has focused on combining fixed electronics and instrumental composition (both improvised and semi-notated). He was awarded funding from Help Musicians UK to pursue this, and has also been supported by Manchester Jazz Festival (as part of their hothouse scheme). His work for solo instrumentalist and fixed electronics, Grave Pastures, was performed by Multi-Grammy Award-winning cellist Nick Photinos in the USA.

Listen Originally From Another Cross | Recorded, Composed and Mixed by Ben Gaunt