Music Team

A South Wales based choral conductor, accompanist and musical educator, Ben, who is originally from Dorset, completed his Masters in choral conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under tutors Neil Ferris, Sarah Tenant-Flowers and Simon Halsey. While there he received the Busenhart-Morgan-Evans Bursary awarded by the Worshipful Company of Singers.

He studied piano with Richard Ormrod at Cardiff University and holds the ABRSM Diploma in piano performance.

Currently, Ben works as musical director for Côr Bro Ogwr, City Voices Bristol, Roath Community Chorus and is co-director of Cardiff Chamber Choir.

He is an artistic lead for the Forget-me-not Chorus as well as being a member of the musical team. He also works as pianist for Monmouth Male Choir as well as educational and outreach projects with Welsh National Opera and National Dance Company of Wales. He is also an alumnus of the Live Music Now scheme.

Ben sings regularly with BBC National Chorus of Wales and is an organisational partner of the FAKS Sings Festival in Croatia.

Sandie Middleton is a pianist based in Bristol, performing with choirs, chambers ensembles and as a solo pianist. She writes and performs her own music, and released her debut album ‘A Murmuration of Starlings’ in July 2022. She holds an MA in Piano Accompaniment from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and a BMus from Cardiff University, where she was awarded the Elizabeth Griffiths Prize.

With Bristol Youth Choir Sandie has performed in venues such as St George’s Bristol, Bristol Cathedral, Clifton Cathedral and Bristol Beacon. She performed in Clifton Cathedral in the ‘What a Wonderful World Project’ in November 2021, with choirs from across the city to perform the specially commissioned works by Toby Young, which they later recorded in 2023. With City Voices Bristol, Sandie has performed in tours in Croatia, taking part in the FAKS Sings Festival over the past eight years. Sandie teaches piano students in Bristol, encouraging an enthusiasm for music-making.

​In 2015 Sandie completed a placement at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatorio di Musica in Florence, Italy, accompanying vocal and clarinet classes. Working with Lost Chord, she performs in care homes and hospitals for people with dementia. Sandie is passionate about sharing the positive experience of live music, making great music and bringing people together.