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Dr. Benjamin Geier
Meet the Director
After a childhood of band rehearsals, choir practices, piano lessons, and baseball games, Benjamin Geier had a strong sense that music was not only a passion, but a likely career path. Although he was equally committed to choir and band, one of the most difficult decisions to make would be to audition to Indiana University in percussion or voice. The answer to that dilemma would become the first steps that eventually lead him to St. Francis Assisi nearly twenty years later.
Failing to complete a B.M. in Music Education, Benjamin quickly regrouped, “feeling always one step behind my peers,” he found motivation to “catch up” and finished his B.M. in Voice Performance and M.M. in Choral Conducting in three years. Along the way, he was very fortunate to be supported by many friends, teachers, and colleagues, notably Dr. Brian Horne (voice faculty, Indiana University) and Dr. William Jon Gray (choral conducting faculty, Indiana University). It was during that year of master’s coursework where Dr. Geier fell into a lifelong love affair with early music, specifically, consort singing. Studying everything from one per part ensemble singing, to viola da gamba, to continuo harmonization, he learned as much as he could and found great joy in that kind of music making.
Through conversations with his friends and fellow musicians at Indiana, Ben found a unique group of underserved singers: the fabulously talented opera singer who also loved choral music. Soon after, Vox Reflexa was born. While the group was never destined for longevity, VR established itself as one of the premiere groups for a time: securing international conferences, tours, and the attention of many highly respected luminaries. The fruits of those projects can still be heard on Vox Reflexa’s Youtube page here. Although up-and-comers at the time, VR’s roster now reads like a “Who’s who?” of American operatic and ensemble musicians.
During Dr. Geier’s final doctoral seminar with Dr. Carmen Helena Tellez in 2010, the subject of What happens when one removes a music from its social context? was hotly debated and discussed amongst the panel of a dozen or so (at this point) close friends, rivals, and colleagues. Ben was struck by the conclusions made and began to further challenge the discomfort he felt in singing cyclical Catholic Mass settings of Mozart, Haydn, and others on the concert stage. A cradle Catholic, Benjamin’s first understanding of the musical traditions of the Church really began during a lecture in early music history at IU. “Western Music owes everything to one organization and one alone: The Catholic Church,” the professor dryly announced. Ben explains, “I nearly fell out of my chair. It was 8:05am and I was immediately awake and on the edge of my seat to hear the rest…This was during the renewal of chant and the Tridentines Mass after Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum, and I imagine many Catholics (who were also musicians) were discovering this, for the first time.”
Much to the astonishment of his mentors, colleagues, and friends, Ben finished his doctoral coursework in 2010 and moved to Sugarland, TX to develop a Classical Catholic music program from ages 4-13. Ben was enthralled by the possibilities of wedding great church music with a community of believers and also determined to increase his own faith. “I saw that a comprehensive approach of daily vocal instruction, weekly instrumental study, and challenging repertoire could transform any willing child (with the family) into a competent young musician.” The results were rapid and stunning. Videos of St. Theresa Catholic School’s performances of Vivaldi’s Gloria, Fauré’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah can be found here. Dr. Geier’s “video manifesto” on the state of children’s music education can also be found here.
The years following Dr. Geier’s tenure in the Catholic school system, he began to take a greater interest in musical direction and management. While in Fort Collins, CO, Dr. Geier held both Director of Music (St. John XXIII) and Director Fine Arts (Ridgeview Classical Schools). In China, he steadily increased his following as a conducting instructor and high value specialist working with very young Chinese choristers in American music and Musical Theater. As with most of the music industry, the COVID-19 pandemic derailed everything. For Dr. Geier, it gave enough of a pause to realize the unthinkable at the time, maybe the teaching profession wasn’t for him. “It’s true, I had always wanted to be a teacher, but teaching from the podium was always the most appealing to me.” At this point in his career, Dr. Geier had taught from as young as 3 years old up through college and beyond with retirees at the church. What’s next?
Taking a huge leap of faith, Dr. Geier moved across the country to a little quaint town called Staunton, VA. It initially reminded him of his hometown of Lafayette, IN. Now a recovering workaholic, Ben seeks to find balance in his life. Always seeking a Christ centered life, he retired transitioned from full time teaching to full time work for the Church. He spends his days preparing music for his choirs and giving free voice lessons to his choir members. In addition to his music responsibilities, Dr. Geier assumed the role of Youth Leader at St. Francis and also teaches a children’s choir at the local homeschool Co-op, the Oratory. When not working Ben is an avid traveler, hiker, likes to stay active at the gym, and likes to cook and entertain for his choir members.
From the director
My Personal Pledge to You
Finish this section about current working and what it’s like to be in the group.
You are welcome
Take the Leap of Faith
I know taking that first step into the choir or reclaiming your singing voice after so many years is daunting. Give us a chance to make you feel right at home! -Dr. Geier