Millikin University Choir Bio
For 66 years, the Millikin University Choir has upheld a national reputation for choral excellence. This premier touring ensemble performs annually across the region, nationally, and internationally, showcasing a diverse repertoire spanning various styles and genres. From the masterpieces of antiquity to the frontiers of modern composition—including contemporary pop and jazz—the Millikin University Choir embodies the vast spectrum of human vocal expression. Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson is the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Millikan University. See his bio below.
Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson Bio
is the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Millikin University, where he leads multiple ensembles, including the University Choir - Millikin’s premier touring ensemble. He also teaches courses in Conducting and Choral Rehearsal Techniques. Under his direction, Millikin ensembles tour regularly, both regionally and internationally. Dr. Hawkinson’s leadership extends to vocal jazz. During his tenure as director of OneVoice Millikin’s renowned vocal jazz ensemble, the ensemble has earned national recognition, including performances at the 2022 Jazz Educators Network Conference and the Illinois Music Educators Convention in 2023. In 2024, OneVoice received two DownBeat Student Music Awards.
An in-demand conductor, clinician, and presenter, Dr. Hawkinson has worked with numerous honors choirs and vocal jazz ensembles, recent choral-orchestral credits include Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Georg Telemann’s Magnificat in C, and Tarik O’Regan’s Triptych and is scheduled to conduct Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem in April of 2026 with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra and Millikin Choral Union.
Dr. Hawkinson has served as Director of Music at Central Christian Church, Decatur, IL since 2021 and oversees the Central Choral Intern program, providing vocal leadership and educating the next generation of church musicians. In his free time, Dr. Hawkinson enjoys spending time with his wife, Aubrey, who teaches voice and opera at Millikin and their two energetic boys, Liam (7) and Eli (4).
