Project 21 Composers
Ben Harrell
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
Date of birth: 1/23/1988
Growing up listening to metal and classic rock, composition seemed the least likely of careers for Harrell to pursue. But at sixteen years of age, Ben Harrell began his musical journey by composing, completely by ear, the musical drama, Counted As Dead, the story of how the Revolutionary War tore three friends apart. The summer after completed the writing process, he gathered his friends to help him produce his new creation at a small community theatre. That production sparked the calling to composition that led Ben to Oklahoma City University. Since the completion of Counted As Dead, and making major modifications after receiving proper training, the show has been performed twice and selections have been sung by students at the university. Ben is nearly complete with his second musical, Election Day, which tells the story of four corrupt, small-town politicians, all trying to gain the same seat. It is a fast paced, witty comedy that should have everyone hurting at the sides by intermission. Ben hopes to be able premiere this work by the end of the summer.
Aside from composing musicals, Harrell enjoys the full sound of modern and classical opera, the orchestra, wind symphony, and other mediums that present drama at its finest, and hopes to write for it all. With his experience and training from Dr. Knight and the faculty at OCU, Harrell hopes to continue his education further and to go on to be a great, well-rounded composer. Major Completed Works
YouTube Videos
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