Press bio

Samuel Clay Birmaher (rhymes with “here and there”) is a composer living in New York City. He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied at Cornell University. His music tells stories about internal and external worlds, using familiar musical elements to create undefined symbols. In addition to composing, he has written prose for NewMusicBox and Mode Records, and performed conceptual music as a member of Gemini Society. Recent projects include The Holy Liftoff, a new work composed by Terry Riley and co-created by Birmaher in a 60-minute realization for Claire Chase and the JACK Quartet.