Samuel Thompson (b. 2006) is a composer, percussionist, and music educator from the greater Chicago area, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under Dr. Texu Kim. He has studied percussion with Kevin Bobo, John Tafoya, Joseph Gramley, and Alan Stewart as well as Afro-Cuban hand drumming with Dr. Andy Miller. Thompson performs in the IU New Music Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Brazilian Ensemble.

Through his music, Thompson shares personal perspectives on the human condition, with programmatic inspiration ranging from simple everyday experiences to broader concepts of life. Thompson also enjoys taking impressionistic approaches to composition, often writing music that is inspired by preexisting works of art. Thompson’s music blends rhythmic nuance, influences from contemporary jazz harmony, and fresh perspectives on linear development to create sound worlds that balance intricacy with accessibility. His experience as a percussionist shapes his compositional voice, particularly in his approach to texture and structural design.

Notable performers of Thompson’s work include Blue Door Percussion, Indiana University Percussion Ensemble, and Munster High School Choirs. Thompson also has extensive experience as a indoor percussion arranger and program designer, having written multiple award winning programs.

In 2025, he won the IMTA Opus Composition Competition with his found percussion quartet “Tailgate Graveyard.” Thompson has also received honorable mentions in both the 2025 Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) Composition Competition, and the 2025 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. In 2025 Thompson participated in the Del Mar International Composers Symposium, and in 2026, he had his first international premiere in Limerick, Ireland, and showcased a recital of new music works in his hometown of Munster, Indiana.