Ben Hjertmann


Ben Hjertmann is a Chicago-based composer and tenor. Hjertmann's recent concert music includes work with live electronics, dance-collaboration, sound-sculpture installation, film, computer improvisation and a slew of projects which might be called, for lack of a better word, "crossovers".

He is the Artistic Director for The Sissy-Eared Mollycoddles new music ensemble and also performs as a tenor. Hjertmann has been awarded The 2009 Cacavas Award for outstanding chamber music composition (Alu-Kaito Hasx) at Northwestern University, 2008 & 2009 Grants from the Harry N. and Ruth F. Wyatt Fund, selected for the 2008 FSU CHASM Student Composer's Competition, 2007 John Wesley Powell Research Conference and the 2005 Alicia and Hans Fuchs Scholarship.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from Illinois Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing a D.M. in Composition at Northwestern University. In 2005, he studied composition and world music at The Conservatorium Van Amsterdam. His principal composition teachers have been Hans Thomalla, Jay Alan Yim, Lee Hyla, and David Vayo; additional studies with Chris Mercer, Mario Pelusi, Garrett Byrnes, and Fabio Nieder.

Recent and upcoming performances/readings include:

The Sissy-Eared Mollycoddles, Have an Orange, Have an Elephant Fruit (2009); Untitled (2009)

Callithumpian Consort, Bhyxe (2009)

Zephyr Dance Company; Emily Stein, choreographer, Bonsai #1-4 (2009)

International Contemporary Ensemble, Alu-Kaito Hasx (2008)

Chicago Miniaturist Ensemble, Lunesleeves (2008)

Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble, Ulu (2008)

New York Miniaturist Ensemble, A Street Arab (2008) for the Edison Short Film Project