“Northey is a born conductor, one who revels in his work. He appears to be in a state of perpetual delight.”
MSO Managing Director, Sophie Galaise has announced the extension of tenure of Principal Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey who becomes Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement.
“2024 marks Ben’s 21st anniversary with the MSO. It’s a wonderful milestone on which to announce that Ben has accepted a five-year contract extension as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement,” Galaise says. “This is wonderful news for our Orchestra and our community. We are very proud of Ben’s great work as a champion of the MSO and look forward to another five years of his inspiring leadership.”
Northey has worked with the MSO since he first conducted the Orchestra in February 2003, eventually being appointed Associate Conductor in 2010. After nine years in that role, Ben was elevated to Principal Conductor in Residence – a position he has been filling with passion and enthusiasm since 2020.
With a commitment and focus on building audiences’ passion and engagement with the MSO, Northey’s extension of tenure will see him add an advisor role for Learning and Engagement to his conducting duties.
Chief Conductor Jaime Martín congratulated Northey on the extension of his tenure with the MSO and the addition of a new responsibility as Advisor - Learning and Engagement.
“Ben is a wonderful colleague and an extremely valuable member of the MSO Artistic Family that I am privileged to lead. We are proud of the strong artistic leadership we have developed for the MSO and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Northey says he is humbled and overjoyed to accept the new role.
“The MSO has been my Australian music family for the best part of my career – in fact I made my major professional conducting debut in 2003 conducting the MSO performing Beethoven’s 6thSymphony at the Myer Music Bowl.”
“I am eternally grateful to the organisation, the players, the composers, collaborators and audiences for making the past two decades such an inspirational and fulfilling creative journey. Working with Chief Conductor Jaime Martín and the MSO team is an ongoing pleasure. The opportunity to work with the learning and engagement team to continue my advocacy for learning pathways for musicians and conductors, and to enhance audience experiences with the MSO is a welcome addition to my role,” says Northey.
Northey will next take the baton with the MSO for the April performances of American Stories: Bernstein, Gershwin and more, featuring Australian trombonist Jonathon Ramsay bringing to life Australian composer Joe Chindamo’s Ligeia Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra. In June, Northey takes on the role of Conductor and Creative Director for the ABC Classic 100 highlights concert at Hamer Hall.
“The excellence of Northey’s reputation with orchestras around the world stems from his communication, not only with his musicians but also with his audience.”
About Benjamin Northey
Benjamin Northey is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has previously held the posts of Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (2010-2019), Resident Guest Conductor of the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (2002-2006) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (2007-2010).
Northey studied conducting at Finland’s Sibelius Academy and the Stockholm Royal College of Music returning home to Australia where he has become one of the most sought-after conductors in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2009, Northey was one of only three conductors worldwide to participate in the Allianz International Conductor’s Academy where he was mentored by Vladimir Jurowsky from London Philharmonic Orchestra and the distinguished German conductor Christof von Dohnányi.
Northey appears regularly as a guest conductor with all major Australian and NZ symphony orchestras and opera companies. His international appearances include concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, the Malaysian Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
He has collaborated with major artists Maxim Vengerov, Anne Sofie von Otter and Wynton Marsalis, and extended his reach across genres to work with Tim Minchin, Professor Brian Cox, Lalah Hathaway, Kurt Elling, Anoushka Shankar, James Morrison and Ben Folds.
Northey has been a driving force in the performance of orchestral music by Australian First Nations composers and performers. He has premiered multiple works of composers Deborah Cheetham and William Barton as well as collaborating with composer Paul Grabowsky and songmen Daniel and David Wilfred.
He has also been active in music education and training through concerts and workshops for the Melbourne, West Australian and Sydney Youth Orchestras, the Australian National Academy of Music, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music & Monash University.
Northey’s many prizes include the 2001 Symphony Australia Young Conductor of the Year, the prestigious 2010 Melbourne Prize Outstanding Musician’s Award and the 2002 Brian Stacey Memorial Scholarship. In 2018 he was voted Limelight Magazine’s Australian Artist of the Year.
He has previously been a board member of the Australian Music Centre. He is also the Artistic Director of the Hush Foundation which produces original music for therapeutic use in healthcare settings. His numerous recordings can be found on ABC Classics.
“It would be hard to imagine Australian music without Ben, as he is affectionately and universally known.”
