Benjamin Saffir

Benjamin began his professional symphonic career in 2019 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Symphony. He has since appeared with Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, he was awarded the Richard Bonynge Fellowship with Orchestra Victoria. Benjamin is also active in community music, serving as principal bass for the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra (2022–24) and participating in Orchestra Victoria’s Western Victoria Regional Tour. As a composer, Benjamin’s first commission, Fantasia on Moreton Bay, was written for Barker College in 2016. He later composed Jovenilia and The Witching Hour for the Modést Symphony Orchestra, Fantasia on Botany Bay for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, and The Gigue’s Up for the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp. In 2021, he collaborated with composer Deborah Cheetham-Fraillon on Fault Lines, a work for solo double bass, as part of the inaugural ANAM Set program.