Benjamin R. Locke directs the Kenyon College Chamber Singers, the Kenyon Community Choir and the Knox County Symphony. In recent years, Locke's work has centered around South Africa and the Libertas Choir, a mixed-race choral ensemble based near Capetown. He has served as guest conductor for the group while in Capetown, collected material for his College ensembles to perform and helped to coordinate the Libertas Choir U.S. tour.
Locke is often given credit for reinvigorating Kenyon's music program since his arrival in 1984. He was a recipient of the College's Trustee Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1992.
Areas of Expertise
Choral conducting, Brahms' choral works, music and society in South Africa
Education
1985 — Doctor of Music from Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
1982 — Master of Music from Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
1975 — Bachelor of Music from Mary Manse College, Toledo
Courses Recently Taught
MUSC 331
Conducting
MUSC 331
This course is designed primarily for music majors to prepare them for the specific problems and issues that confront the instrumental and/or choral conductor. The class will focus on developing conducting techniques of the individual student in laboratory situations and perhaps public performance. In addition, students will do extensive reading in the philosophy of conducting and performance. One aim is to synthesize their knowledge of music history and music theory in the presentation of their ideas. This counts as an elective for the major and minor. Permission of instructor required. Prerequisite: MUSC 202, 203, 204 or 205 and MUSC 121Y. Offered every other year.
MUSC 471
Kenyon Community Choir
MUSC 471
The Kenyon Community Choir is a large chorus designed to perform literature for chorus and orchestra (or piano accompaniment). Sacred and secular works from the Baroque period to the present will be performed at concerts and college functions. Membership is open to students, faculty, staff and other community members. Those who formally enroll should expect to meet requirements beyond the regular weekly rehearsals. This is not a yearlong course and registration is required each semester. A voice placement audition and permission of instructor is required. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
MUSC 472
Knox County Symphony
MUSC 472
The Knox County Symphony is a community-based orchestra that performs three to four times per year, including one combined concert with the Kenyon choirs. Literature includes the standard symphonic and concerto repertoire. Enrollment is limited depending on the needs of the orchestra; therefore a competitive seating audition and permission of instructor are required. This is not a yearlong course and registration is required each semester. Offered every year.
MUSC 473
Kenyon College Chamber Singers
MUSC 473
The Kenyon College Chamber Singers is a small choir devoted to the literature for chamber ensemble, both a cappella and accompanied. The class meets five hours per week and members are required to make concerts and the spring tour a priority. This course may be repeated. This is not a yearlong course and registration is required each semester. A voice placement audition and permission of instructor are required. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
MUSC 493
Individual Study
MUSC 493
Individual study is available to junior or senior music majors wishing to explore, with a music department faculty member, a topic not normally offered in the curriculum. The student proposes the topic to the faculty member, who then brings the proposal before the department for approval. The department will discuss the feasibility of any proposal. Individual studies supplement the music curriculum and may not be used to satisfy major requirements. Individual studies will earn either 0.25 or 0.50 units. After identifying a faculty member willing to oversee the individual study, the student should work with that professor to develop a short (one-page) proposal that will be shared with the department for approval. The proposal should articulate the nature of the proposed study; present planned readings, assignments and other work; and describe how or what in the proposed study will be assessed at the end of the semester. Meeting schedules may vary, but at a minimum the department expects that students will meet once per week with the faculty member. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the established deadline.
MUSC 497Y
Senior Honors Project
MUSC 497Y
Prerequisite: permission of department chair.
MUSC 498Y
Senior Honors Project
MUSC 498Y
Prerequisite: permission of department chair.