Composing a career: From music to digital frontiers

From playing trombone in the Christ’s Hospital Band to composing operas performed around the world, Tim Benjamin (PeB, PeA 87–92) has followed his love of music while also building a successful career in technology. His story shows how the opportunities of a Christ’s Hospital education can resonate long after school days are over. Beyond his professional achievements, he has created a ripple effect of impact, continuing to inspire CH students and giving back to his local community.

Music: From chapel to the world stage

At Christ’s Hospital, Tim discovered the freedom to explore multiple interests, but music was central — ‘being in the band was the most important of all.’ He credits the late Bandmaster, David Elliott, as well as the ‘thrilling experience’ of a full chapel for shaping his passion.

Early experiences as a chorister and assistant organist in his father’s church shaped his understanding of performance and composition. At CH, he continued to excel, winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year Composers Award in his Grecians year; following the achievement, he remembers: ‘I was given my buttons by the Headmaster in time for the Lent term — he sent me the slip in a Christmas card!’

Since then, Tim has created and toured operas, worked on film sets and recently seen his orchestral works performed as far afield as Bucharest and Finland. He has won awards for his music and recently released Paths of Exile, an album setting Anglo-Saxon poems for a group of male voices amid an atmospheric soundscape. He also hosts a podcast, Tim the Composer, exploring hidden stories behind history’s greatest music.

Photo: Tim winning a Production Music Awards / PRS Foundation award in 2017, for his album Cinematic Piano for JW Media Music. Pictured with Jenny Oakes, Managing Director of JW Media Music.

Technology: Skills for a changing world

Alongside music, Tim’s experiences in the computer room introduced him to programming skills that would shape a successful tech career. ‘Learning that programming was cool from such legends as Kenton Price, and then a bit of assembly from Dr Wolstenholme, I was unwittingly set for a more lucrative career than music when years later the web took off’.

Today, Tim is currently Chief Technology Officer of a 450-person tech and strategy consultancy. He leads projects building some of the UK’s most critical systems, while guiding organisations through the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.

Inspiring the next generation

Tim returned to Christ’s Hospital for a careers talk last year to share his experiences with current students. He emphasises the importance of telling your story and engaging with young people, saying ‘you never know the impact your story will have on one or two people here or there. I would strongly encourage you to tell that story, and answer any questions that come your way — it takes a surprising amount of courage for any young person to ask a meaningful question; so I’d say treat every question with the utmost of respect!’

Photo: Tim doing a keynote speech and working with CH students at a CH careers conference in 2024.

Community impact

Tim also invests in his local community in Todmorden, Yorkshire. He has supported the historic Hippodrome Theatre, including chairing a Town Deal Board to secure funding for its development, ensuring cultural access for future generations. ‘I’m so happy to have been able to play a small part in securing a great theatre for the people in this part of the world for many years to come!’

Reflections

Tim’s career shows how the opportunities provided by Christ’s Hospital can open unexpected paths and connect seemingly different worlds.

‘It was a place that absolutely encouraged us all to think critically, to question authority and to fundamentally be ourselves.’

Through music, technology and community engagement, Tim continues to demonstrate how a CH education can resonate long after school days are over.

Thank you to Tim for sharing his story with us.

Share your story with the Old Blue community. Send it to: oldblues@christs-hospital.org.uk