Queen's University
A to Z
FACULTY OF
Education

Ben Bolden

Assistant Professor of Music Education, Graduate Faculty
BMus (Carleton), BEd (OISE/UT), MMus (British Columbia), PhD (Toronto)

Contact Information

Room: A215
Phone: 613-533-6000 x 77762
Email: ben.bolden@queensu.ca

Research Interests

  • composing
  • teaching composing
  • community music making and learning
  • Web 2.0 technologies as educational tools, and arts-informed research methodologies

Recent Publications

Bolden, B. (2013, revisions accepted, in press). Learner-created podcasts: Students’ stories with music. Music Educators Journal. 

Bolden, B. (2012). The Funky Mamas: Learning to create and perform music for young children within a community of practice. International Journal of Community Music, 5(2), 111-130.

Bolden, B. (2012). Personhood and music learning as a Funky Mama. In O’Neill, S. (Ed.),Personhood and music learning: Multidisciplinary perspectives and narrative voices (pp. 41-61). Waterloo, ON: CMEA.

Bolden, B. (2012). Cross-country check-up: a survey of music education in Canada’s schools. In Beynon, C. & Veblen, K (Eds.), Critical perspectives in Canadian music education (pp. 21-37). Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

Bolden, B. (2012). Perfect pitch. Canadian Music Educator, 54(1), 2-3.

Bolden, B. (2012). The residue of wasted time. Canadian Music Educator, 53(4), 2-3.

Bolden, B. & Kennedy, M. (Eds.). (2011). Widening the boundaries of music education. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria.

Bolden, B. (2011). Gustav Holst: Composer, performer, teacher. Canadian Music Educator, 52(4), 2-3.

Bolden, B. (2010). To Glee or not to Glee…. Canadian Music Educator, 52(2), 2-3.

Bolden, B. (2010). Talent. Canadian Music Educator, 51(4), 4-6.

Bolden, B. (2009). Teaching composing in secondary school: a case study analysis. British Journal of Music Education, 26 (2), 137-152. (refereed, international)

Bolden, B. (2009). Body parts, the water cycle, plants, and dolphins: adventures in primary-grade whole-class composing. General Music Today, 22(3), 8-13.

Bolden, B. (2009). Voices. In Beattie, M. (Ed.) The quest for meaning: teaching, learning and the arts (pp. 215-232). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Bolden, B. (2009). Timbre. Canadian Music Educator, 51(1), 2-3.

Bolden, B. (2008). Suds and Stan: Musically Enhanced Research. Journal of Creative Arts in Education,  ISSUE 01.08. http://www.jcae.ca/08-01/bolden.html

Bolden, B. (2008). Teaching composing in the classroom: developing a grounded theory. In B. W. Leung (Ed.), Proceedings of the 15th Music in Schools and Teacher Education Commission Seminar (MISTEC). Rome, IT: International Society for Music Education. (refereed, international)

Bolden, B. (2008). Let’s Call a ‘C’ a ‘C’. Canadian Music Educator, 49(3), 3-4.

Bolden, B. (2007). I Was a Music Teacher Fraud. Canadian Music Educator, 49(2), 4-5.

Bolden, B. (2005). Music and Babies’ Brains. Canadian Music Educator, 47(2), 27-31.

Selected Musical Compositions and Notable Performances

  • Bolden, B. (2013). Is Somebody Singing, (arrangement) for choir and piano, commissioned by the Coalition for Music Education. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhBn62kLxeI)

    • performed by elementary and secondary school choirs across Canada, with the songwriter, astronaut Chris Hadfield, for the 7th annual national event: Music Monday, May 6, 2013.

  • Bolden, B. (2012). Muffin Man, Oranges, and Sixpence, for SSAA unaccompanied choir, commissioned by Philomela Women’s Choir, University of Victoria, and premiered at the UVic School of Music, April 4, 2012. (http://benjaminbolden.ca/composing/muffin-man/)

  • Bolden, B. (2011). Manitoba, for String Orchestra, commissioned by the University of Toronto School of Music. (http://benjaminbolden.ca/composing/manitoba/)

    • premiered by the North Toronto Strings at the U of T School of Music, ON, May 16, 2011
    • performed by students of four high schools as part of the 61st Annual Sounds of Toronto Secondary Showcase Concert, Massey Hall, April 4, 2012.

  • Bolden, B. (2007). St. John’s, 1828, for wind ensemble commissioned by the Hart House Winds. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvr4VC_1wlM)

    • premiered by the Hart House Winds, Toronto, April, 2007
    • performed by the University of Victoria Wind Symphony, Victoria, Feb. 16, 2008.
    • featured in the DVD, ‘Appassionato: The Wellington Winds Story’ released October, 2012. 

  • Bolden, B. (2007). Asikathali, for Choir and piano, published by Cypress Music. (http://benjaminbolden.ca/composing/asikathali/)

    • performed at the Toronto District School Board’s 61st Annual Sounds of Toronto Secondary Showcase Concert, Massey Hall, April 4, 2012.
    • performed by the Academy Choir of the RCM, Toronto, April, 2011.

  • Bolden, B. (2006). Easter Antiphon, for unaccompanied SATB choir. Commissioned by the Laurier University Chamber Choir. (http://benjaminbolden.ca/composing/easter-antiphon/)

    • premiered by the Laurier University Chamber Choir, Waterloo, April 3, 2006.

  • Bolden, B. (2003). Requiem of Ice and Snow, for unaccompanied SATB choir. Commissioned by the Bell’Arte Singers. (http://benjaminbolden.ca/composing/requiem-of-ice-and-snow/)

    • premiered by the Bell’Arte Singers, Toronto, March, 2003.
    • performed by Lyrica Chamber Choir, Barrie, ON, April 5, 2008.
    • performed by the Western University Chamber Choir, London, ON, Oct. 29 and Nov. 16, 2011. 

  • Bolden, Benjamin. (2001). The Holly and the Ivy; Coventry Carol; I Saw Three Ships for unaccompanied SATB choir. Commissioned by St. Andrew’s United Church, Toronto. Published by Cypress Music Publishing, Vancouver. (http://cypresschoral.com/Canada/Composers/Bolden.html)