This new partnership between the cathedral and St John's College celebrates the close ties between the two institutions and ensures the continuation of professional music direction in the College.
At the Cathedral, Ben will be working alongside Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist, Joseph Beech, Sub-Organist, Canon Michael Hampel, Vice-Dean and Precentor, the music team, and the cathedral choir.
Ben’s role as Assistant Organist will consist of playing the cathedral organ during services, recitals and concerts; rehearsing and conducting the choir; taking an active role in the cathedral’s outreach singing programme, as well as close liaison with Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation.
As Director of Music at St John’s College Ben will work with The Revd Dr Liz Kent (College Chaplain), and a team of choral scholars, organ scholars and other students, as well as ordinands from Cranmer Hall, to develop their musical skills and enrich the musical life of the College.
Ben Mills was first a chorister at St Mary Magdelene, Newark-on-Trent before becoming organ scholar at Southwell Minster. Having initially studied the organ with Simon Hogan, he then took up the organ scholarship and read Music at Keble College, the University of Oxford, where he accompanied the Chapel Choir on two BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and two discs to critical acclaim. After graduating in 2021, he moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music whilst also holding positions at St Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace and St Michael’s, Highgate.
Ben then moved to Salisbury to be Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral, where he regularly accompanied the Cathedral Choir. He holds the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. In his spare time, Ben enjoys cooking and reading thriller and detective novels.
