Musician Bio
Samuel Backman (b. 1988) is a composer, conductor, and virtuoso organist based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. He serves as Director of Sacred Music at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Northeast Minneapolis, where he chairs a multi-faceted music program across three campuses. In this capacity, he serves as principal organist, as well as conductor and founder of the Holy Cross Choir, St. Helena Singers, and Tenebrae Choir. Under his direction, these ensembles have developed a comprehensive repertoire that spans from Gregorian chants of the first millennium through newly composed works of the twenty-first century. He is founder of Music at Holy Cross, a thriving concert series that exhibits a wide variety of performing forces.
As an organist, Backman has performed extensively throughout the United States of America, and he has been featured as an organ recitalist for conferences hosted by the American Guild of Organists and the Church Music Association of America. His performances have frequently been featured on Pipedreams, a nationally-syndicated radio broadcast hosted by Michael Barone. Apart from his work as a solo performer, he is frequently sought after both as an accompanist and as a collaborator in chamber and orchestral settings.
Backman’s expansive organ repertoire consists of works composed as early as the 16th century and works composed as late as the present day. He takes particular delight in championing works by lesser known composers, or works that have fallen into obscurity over time. His repertoire is replete with many transcriptions of works originally composed for forces other than the pipe organ. Drawn to the organ for its variety of timbre, he seeks to exploit the full spectrum of colors that each individual organ has to offer. In addition to playing written compositions, Backman exercises his engaging and inventive aptitude for improvisation both in liturgical settings and concerts.
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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