Ben Allaway’s compositions have been featured on programs with such diverse luminaries as Garrison Keillor, Maya Angelou, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, and Hal Holbrook.

In over 40 commissions in the last decade, his eclectic body of work reflects a passion for cross-cultural experiences as well as for glorious traditions. Influences include his early life amid the colorful cultural palette of California, degrees from St. Olaf and Westminster Choir College, three years on the Mississippi (Hannibal), performances with Bernstein, Muti, Marriner, Menotti, Shaw, Abbado and Masur, and extensive travels in East Africa, Europe, Central America and the U.S.

Often highly dramatic and audience-interactive, Ben’s ethnic-influenced and more traditional music is central to his UNESCO-based Thresholds Choral Festivals, and is published by Santa Barbara, Hinshaw, Mark Foster, Concordia, GIA, and Thresholds Music Press at benallaway.com.

In 2004, Simon Estes performed the East Coast premiere of DADDY KING: Luther and MLK, a dramatic oratorio. Ben is composer-in-residence at Graceland University and First Christian Church, Des Moines.