Short Bio:
Samantha Hogan is a composer based out of The Twin Cities, MN.
Fueled by coffee, compassion, and a combustible imagination, her music is influenced by a variety of styles from Classical, Rock, Jazz, and Video Game music. Her works encompass chamber, solo, multimedia, and large ensemble pieces.
In addition to composing, Samantha works as a private instructor of Trombone, Piano, and Theory, studies Electric Guitar, and performs with several groups spanning multiple genres around the Twin Cities on Trombone and vocals as a way to remain a well-rounded musician.
Writing Fun, Whimsical, and occasionally Humorous music for human beings is her specialty!
Long Bio:
Samantha Hogan hails from Western New York and presently resides in the Twin Cities, MN. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, OH in Music Composition in 2014 under the tutelage of Dr. Dave Morgan and Robert Rollin, as well as Trombone with John Olsson and Mike Crist. She has also studied composition independently with Scott Pfitzinger and Gwen Rollin while in school. She has also studied music composition and technology with William J. Lackey post-graduation.
Samantha was also a participant at the 2014 St. Mary’s Composition Intensive where she studied with the faculty of Zae Munn, Joshua Marquez, Michael Schelle, Kristen Kuster, and Jay Batzner.
Sam is influenced by many styles of music including classical, rock, jazz, video game, and film music. These influences give her music a dramatic, yet buoyant feel to her pieces. Most recently she has enjoyed playing trombone in The Minneapolis Trombone Ensemble, Twin Cities Brass Band, Swing Sisterhood Big Band, West Wind Swing Band, subbing for several community orchestras and chamber groups, and the Triforce Trombone Trio and Chimera Consort, chamber brass ensembles of which she is a co-founder.
As a composer, she has had many successful premieres.
Most recently, Samantha worked with the Golden Valley Orchestra ( MN), conductor David Carillo, and Trombone soloist Gavin Carney to premiere a fully orchestrated version of The Mill Creek Trombone Concerto in 2024. She is also currently serving as a house head for The St Cloud School District where she will be doing composition-based workshops with music students from 2nd-6th Grade.
Samantha composed several scores for the MNKino Film Festival in Minneapolis, MN. She collaborated with directors Beth Peloff and Jason Schumacher to create film scores for, Blob’s Adventure (2017). Build Yourself a Birthday Party ( 2019) and Lobsterbelly (2021). The soundtracks were performed live while the short was projected for the audience to watch. Sam was also a selected composer for a Fifteen Minutes of Fame concert by the Third Wheel Trio. Lonely Waltz was performed alongside other new music compositions. She was also a composer in residence at Henryville High School in Indiana for the premiere of her band work Reverence in the spring of 2016. She spent her residence working with students on both the piece and teaching them about composition.
Her piano solo, Cumulus Humilis, was recorded by Pianist Avguste Antonov and put on his solo album, An American Journey in 2014. In 2013 the Youngstown New Music Society Festival Orchestra Eclectic Images was performed. She also collaborated with her brother on the rock song Walking Dead, featured in the motion picture B.O.Y.D. in 2010.
Through her experiences, Samantha has become an eclectic and versatile composer, who aims to explore as many areas of music as possible. She especially enjoys working with individual performers and groups to write pieces that highlight their sound and abilities as well as fulfilling their musical desires.
She intends to create new music that inspires and educates the listener and performer alike.
When not composing, she can be found performing music on a multitude of instruments or exploring nature. Sam also enjoys learning and reading about new subjects whenever she can. After all, the moment you stop learning is the moment you stop living.