Benjamin Cornelius-Bates (b. 1978) — Prelude, Adagio, and Fugue, BCB 63 (2020) for organ
Benjamin Cornelius-Bates (b. 1978) is a native of Alaska. He was educated at the University of Montana (BM), Duquesne University (MM, AD), and University of West Virginia (DMA). Cornelius-Bates also studied composition in Vancouver with Denis Bédard. He a professor of music theory and musicianship in the music school at Duquesne University. As a composer, Cornelius-Bates has written numerous works (primarily for organ and choir) that have been performed throughout the USA, Canada, England, and much of Europe. As an improviser, he was a semi-finalist in the 2011 André Marchal International Improvisation Competition held in Biarritz. Cornelius-Bates’s first organ sonata was commissioned for the 2018 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists.