Sam Lipman

Sam Lipman is a Lecturer in Film Scoring and Audio Production at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also served as Composer-in-Residence for two years. His work bridges classical rigor and contemporary innovation, with a focus on storytelling through music. He holds a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin.

Research interests include orchestral composition, film scoring, and the intersection of music with theater, dance, and documentary narratives. Notable works include A Thousand Cuts (Sundance-acclaimed documentary score), The Last Planet (Terrence Malick film), and MoonFall (immersive ballet). His classical works have been performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

Recent artistic achievements include the 2019 Austin Critics Table Award for Matawan and an Oscar shortlist nomination for Southwest of Salem. His upcoming projects include the Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann’s The World Will Open (2025) and the trumpet concerto The Unbroken Call (premiered by Austin Symphony Orchestra).

Lipman collaborates with institutions like Red Nightfall Theater, Density512, and the Miró Quartet. His compositions often explore themes of memory, resilience, and human connection, as seen in Tree of Life (dedicated to Holocaust survivors) and Crone (feminine archetypes).