Biography

Sam B Hanson was born in Poole in 1985. He took up the organ in 1995, studying initially with Sean Tucker, and subsequently with Alan Harwood, David Briggs, Sarah Baldock and Thomas Trotter, achieving the Associateship of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) in 2003.

Between 2001 and 2008 Sam held organ scholar posts at St. Peter’s Church, Bournemouth (generously supported by the Michael James Music Trust), Salisbury Cathedral and Jesus College, Cambridge. He returned to St. Peter’s Church as Assistant Organist in January 2009 and was appointed Director of Music in September 2011, a post he held until August 2015. He teaches piano and jazz piano at Bryanston School, continues to work as a freelance musician, and was appointed Director of Music at St. Peter’s Church, Hammersmith in September 2019. He was also appointed Assistant Chorus Director and Accompanist to Bournemouth Symphony Chorus in September 2020.

Sam has appeared as soloist for performances of various piano concerti and spent two years conducting Jesus College Orchestra. As a composer, his choral output is increasing in size, having received several commissions from The Farrant Singers, Wimborne Minster Choir, and St. Stephen’s May Festival (Bournemouth). His synth/jazz album, The Atmosphere Suite, first recorded in 2010, was premiered at Lytchett Minster Parish Church in September 2019, and released in October 2020.