Bio

Born in Lubbock, Texas into a musical family, Benjamin Garrett found his calling on the French horn in 7th grade when his Father suggested he switch from playing the trumpet to horn. Since that time, a passion for the horn has been at the forefront of his life. Along the way he has also developed a deep passion for teaching. 

Benjamin holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from the University of Oregon and Masters in Music Education from Portland State University. His primary teachers have been Anthony Britten (TX), Ellen Campbell (U of O), and Larry Johnson (PSU). From 2009-2014 Benjamin was the band director at McKay High School in the Salem-Keizer School District. In 2014 a change was needed to find a better work/family balance, and he is now the music teacher at Dayton Junior/Senior High School. 

Benjamin's horn experience is vast. As a teacher, he has had a studio in the Salem-Keizer area for the past 15 years. Many of his students have gone on to place in the Oregon State Solo competitions, as well as attend top notch music schools. He has given master classes and served as a sectional coach in many different venues. He was previously the adjunct horn instructor at Western Oregon University, George Fox, and Chemeketa Community College and is currently the Horn Instructor Corban University.  As a performer, he has played in many of the professional ensembles in the Salem/Portland area. These include the Salem Chamber Orchestra, Newport Symphony, Columbia Symphony, Vancouver (WA) symphony and the Eugene Symphony to name a few. As a soloist, he has been featured with many ensembles including the Salem Concert band, where he presented the American Premiere of Ferrer Ferran's Gjahllarhorn, a concerto for horn and concert band.  He served as the principle horn for the short lived Salem Symphony, which was formed in 2016, and is also principle horn of the Salem Orchestra (2019) 

When he is not teaching or practicing, Benjamin enjoys spending time with his two kids, working on personal growth, playing golf, composing, watching baseball, or out social dancing. 

Contact Information: Phone: (503)409-4183 (texting is fine)    e-mail: mahlerman30@gmail.com