Ben MacDonald

Ben MacDonald serves as an Applied Instructor of Saxophone at Oakland University's School of Music, Theatre and Dance while concurrently holding the position of Yamaha Higher Education Solutions District Manager for the East Central Region, where he enhances music education through institutional partnerships and Yamaha technology resources.

His academic credentials include a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from Arizona State University, Master of Music (M.M.) from the University of Oklahoma, and Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) from Central Michigan University, studying under John Nichol, Jonathan Nichol, Christopher Creviston, and Jay Wilkinson.

MacDonald maintains an active international performance career spanning the United States and Europe with appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Croatian National Theatre, specializing in contemporary repertoire through premieres of works by 24 composers including David Maslanka and Roger Zare. His research focuses on saxophone quartet pedagogy and rehearsal methodologies, demonstrated through empirical studies of professional ensembles.

His scholarly output centers on advancing chamber music performance practices, particularly through his 2022 publication analyzing rehearsal techniques of premier saxophone quartets.

MacDonald's competitive achievements include:

• First place in the 2018 Central Michigan University School of Music Concerto Competition (soloist with CMU Symphony Orchestra)
• First place at state/regional levels of the 2018 MTNA Chamber Music Competition
• Second place at national level of the 2018 MTNA Chamber Music Competition

As a founding member of the Zenith Saxophone Quartet (debut album "Convergence", 2021), he combines artistic innovation with academic rigor. His administrative work includes roles with Madeline Island Chamber Music and SOUNDS Academy, demonstrating commitment to community music education and festival production.