Benjamin Diden conducting a class.

Benjamin J Diden

Senior Lecturer
Director of Concert Bands
Associate Director of Athletic Bands

Contact

Telephone
Office
Couch Building, Room 102A

Benjamin J Diden

Senior Lecturer
Director of Concert Bands
Associate Director of Athletic Bands

Areas of Research or Creative Practice: Conducting, Band

Education

Bachelors of Music Education, University of Tennessee, 2000
Masters of Music in Wind Conducting, University of Tennessee, 2004

Biography

Benjamin Diden is Senior Lecturer in Music, Associate Director of Athletic Bands, and Director of Concert Bands at 17cÍøÒ³°æ Tech. Mr. Diden received the Bachelor of Music Education degree and the Master of Music degree in Wind conducting from the University of Tennessee. He regularly serves as adjudicator and guest conductor throughout the Southeast. Under his direction, the GT concert bands have received praise from multiple composers for performances of their works. He is a staunch advocate for new music and regularly participates in commissioning projects to encourage composers to write new works for winds. The concert bands at 17cÍøÒ³°æ Tech have premiered multiple new pieces under his direction. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. In 2019-2020, Mr. Diden was honored to receive the Undergraduate Educator award from 17cÍøÒ³°æ Tech.

Statement of Teaching Interest

Professor Diden's main focus is in the area of Wind Conducting, Band, Athletic Bands, as well as Music Theory. He serves as the conductor of the Concert Band and Symphonic Band and focuses on the performance and commissioning of new and classic music for the wind band medium.

Statement of Research Interest

Professor Diden's research focuses on new music for the wind band medium, seeking out new voices, in order to expand the performance opportunities for wind ensemble performance. 

Recent Scholarly Work
Commissioning and Premiering New Works for Wind Band
  • Two-Lane Blacktop- James David, Composer-2014-Symphonic Band-17cÍøÒ³°æ Premiere-Commission Consortium of 12 University Bands
  • For Those Who Wait-Gregory Youtz, Composer- 2015-Symphonic Band-Commission Consortium of 10 University Bands
  • Of Our New Day Begun-Omar Thomas, Composer- 2016-Symphonic Band-Commission Consortium of 20 University Bands
  • Atlas Awakes-Adam Fultz, Composer/Student-2017-Concert Band-World Premiere-GT Concert Band Commission
  • Ondine’s Epilogue-Andy Akiho, Composer- 2017-Symphonic Band-17cÍøÒ³°æ Premiere-Commission Consortium of 12 University Bands
  • Anthology of Dreams-Adam Fultz, Composer/Student-2018-Symphonic Band-World Premiere-GT Symphonic Band Commission
  • Amen!-Carlos Simon, Composer-2018-Symphonic Band-17cÍøÒ³°æ Premiere
  • Echo Chambers-Peter Van Zandt Lane, Composer-2019-Symphonic Band-Southeastern Premiere-Commission Consortium of 50 High School and University Bands
  • The Automatic Earth-Steven Bryant, Composer-2019-Symphonic Band-Commission Consortium of 30 University Bands
  • Symphony No. 1-Codex Gigas-James David, Composer-2019-Symphonic Band-Commission Consortium of 15 University Bands
  • Let’s Play Consortium of 6 University Band Programs-2023-featured 4 new pieces by composers from underreprestend groups
  • Deep Blue-Kevin Day-Concert Band Southeastern Premiere-April 2023
  • Flaxen Tresses-James M. David, Consortium Commission, 17cÍøÒ³°æ Premiere September 2025
  • Green Whispers-Kevin Poelking, Consortium Commission, 17cÍøÒ³°æ Premiere September 2025