Cincinnati – November 15, 2021
The Cincinnati Camerata announces the appointment of Ben Owen as Artistic Director.
“We are very excited to have a conductor of his caliber take the helm of our ensemble,” said LeeAnn Kordenbrock – president of the board of the Camerata. “We are looking forward to a very successful partnership.”
Mr. Owen is currently Director of Music Ministries and Choirmaster at Hyde Park Community Methodist Church, where he oversees all music activities and conducts the Cathedral, Wesley, and Youth choirs. Studying with Dr. Timothy Stalter and Dr. David Puderbaugh, Mr. Owen earned his MA in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa where he was an active conductor, tenor, and accompanist. He also founded and conducted Canticum Novum, a semiprofessional choral ensemble based in Eastern Iowa specializing in sacred music.
“I am excited to join the Cincinnati Camerata as their Artistic Director for the 2022-23 season,” said Mr. Owen.” It is a wonderful ensemble with an illustrious 30-year history, and I look forward to building upon its tradition of musical excellence and meaningful performance.”
More about Ben Owen
Ben Owen moved to Cincinnati from Iowa City in August 2020 to begin his position at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. Prior to living in Cincinnati, Mr. Owen taught in the Iowa public schools system, conducted the choir at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the choir and bell ensemble at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Waterloo, Iowa, and the semiprofessional choir Canticum Novum. Canticum Novum’s program “The Word” featuring the slam poetry of Dr. Shuaib Meacham was broadcast statewide by Iowa Public Radio Classical in 2019 and 2020 as a part of their Black History Month programming. Funded by a grant from the American Music Project, Canticum Novum recorded an album of American composer Horatio Parker’s little-heard church anthems in January 2020.
Mr. Owen and fiancé Paul Rich currently live in Pleasant Ridge. Mr. Rich, a music therapist and mental health counselor, recently began working at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a Bereavement Coordinator. Their favorite Cincinnati spots so far are the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Parkside Café, and Jungle Jim’s!
