Ben Reimer, Percussionist

Ben Reimer graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2001 with a Masters in Music, majoring in Percussion Performance.In 2003, Ben began his position as Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Brandon University while continuing a full schedule of performances and teaching engagements in Winnipeg. In 2006, he also began teaching at the Canadian Mennonite University.Ben has performed with the Thunder Bay Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Opera Society and GroundSwell to name a few. He has also been a guest soloist at the Brandon University "Pro Series" and the Winnipeg New Music Festival. He has performed world premiers of works by such composers as Michael Matthews, Diana McIntosh, David Raphael Scott, Ellen Lindquist and Nicole Lizée. In 2006 Ben commissioned the percussion solo "Train Set" by composer Eliot Britton for drumset and 5.1 surround sound effects. In 2008 he received commissioning grants for new works by Nicole Lizée and Diana McIntosh.Ben is currently writing music for film, and his soundtrack to the short “Night Drive” by New Zealand film director Paul Wedel debuted in the NZ International Film Festival in 2008.Ben has received commission and educational grants from the Manitoba Arts Council and Canada Arts Council and is a Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth and Yamaha Performing/Educational Artist.