John J. Bennett is the Chorus Master for Opera Omaha. He has prepared the Opera Omaha Chorus for productions of Lucia di Lammermoor, Cold Sassy Tree, The Tenderland, Turandot, La Traviata, Carmina Burana, and Paul Bunyan. The 2006 season includes Madama Butterfly, and The Abduction from the Seraglio. Mr. Bennett conducted the company’s production of Dream of the Pacific, an opera commissioned for middle-school students, based on the explorations of Lewis & Clark. He was Assistant Conductor for Lucia, La Perichole, Richard Rodgers’ America, and The Threepenny Opera.
As Canon Precentor of Omaha’s Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, he has served as Director of Music (Organist/Choirmaster) there since 1982. He is the resident pianist for the Omaha Chamber Singers and an active recital accompanist. Mr. Bennett performs with the Omaha Chamber Music Society, has been featured on the concert series at the Joslyn Castle and serves as adjudicator for regional piano and vocal competitions.
Mr. Bennett has appeared as pianist with the Dale Warland Singers, Opera Omaha, Omaha Symphonic Chorus, as well as pianist and organist with the Omaha Symphony and Symphony Chamber Orchestra. He was music director at the Omaha Playhouse for 15 years, and a member of the adjunct faculty at Creighton University. His professional affiliations include the Omaha Musicians Association (Local 70-558), the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the Association of Anglican Musicians, and American Guild of Organists.
