Benjamin M. Cramer

Benjamin M. Cramer is a composer and conductor committed to the creation and continued performance of new music. His music has been described as “modern new tonalism” and “a multicolored fractal sound pattern.” As a composer, Benjamin’s choral, orchestral, and concert band music has been performed internationally; mostly recently in Italy, London, Scotland, Wales, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America. In 2016, he was a runner-up in the London-based Fourth Choir’s International Shakespeare composition contest under the direction of Dominic Peckham.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Benjamin became immersed in choral music, theatre and journalism. In 2009 he came to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa as a physics and music student where he sang in the Nordic Choir under the direction of Dr. Allen Hightower. Following graduation from Luther, Benjamin co-founded the Vox Nova Chorale, a mixture of young composers and conductors alongside professional singers dedicated to providing workshop and masterclass opportunities each summer. In 2014, Benjamin founded Painted Harmony, a choir of young professionals dedicated to the premiere and performance of new and alternative choral music. In 2016, Benjamin completed his Master’s Degree in Vocal Music with distinction, studying both conducting and composition at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom with Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor. He is currently serving as composer-in-residence with the King’s Philharmonic Wind Orchestra in Scotland.


Compositions by Benjamin M. Cramer

Celestial Light

Benjamin M. Cramer mixed choir, Difficulty : 4, a cappella, 5-10 min.

In the Midst of Life

Benjamin M. Cramer mixed choir, Difficulty : 3, a cappella, 3-5 min.

O Beautiful End

Benjamin M. Cramer mixed choir, Difficulty : 3, a cappella, 3-5 min.

1: (Easy) No divisi in voice parts, accompaniment doubles or supports vocal parts, diatonic, symmetrical phrases, textures mostly homophonic, simple rhythms, stepwise voice leading (conjunct), moderate ranges, no extended techniques, and limited sustained singing.

2: (Medium Easy) Limited divisi, voices somewhat independent from accompaniment, some chromatics, phrases may be longer or more fragmented, mostly homophonic, moderate rhythmic complexity, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderate ranges, extended techniques are simple, limited sustained singing.

3. (Medium) Limited divisi, unaccompanied, or with independent accompaniment (voice parts not doubled), many chromatics, phrases of varying lengths, more contrapuntal textures, moderately complex rhythms, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderately difficult/challenging ranges, extended techniques are potentially challenging, and some sustained singing.

4. (Medium Difficult) Abundant divisi, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, many difficult intervals (disjunct motion), difficult/challenging ranges, potentially difficult extended techniques, and a demand for sustained singing.

5. (Difficult) Adundant divis, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, extreme ranges, use of challenging or unusual extended vocal techniques, abundant sustained singing.