Samuel Scott Gross (’25), a Music Composition graduate from Lancaster Bible College, recently released his own original music! Written for a student film project at nearby Franklin & Marshall College, the score can be heard here on YouTube, as well as on all major streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and others.
It’s a perfect time to celebrate Samuel’s new work, as June 21 is World Music Day, or Fête de la Musique, which was started in France but today highlights music’s universal appeal.
Samuel sends “a huge thank you to all the LBC professors and faculty members that have helped me get to this point. I definitely wouldn’t be here without you all. And for any students listening, hopefully this can serve as motivation to strive towards your own goals.”
Samuel Scott Gross graduated from LBC’s Music Composition program in 2025.
Read more about Samuel’s work in music and his time at LBC at the Q&A below:
Q: Why did you choose LBC for your music studies?
A: Long story short, I came to LBC because I was recruited onto the soccer team. I had my eye on [another college] for quite some time due to their yearly soccer camp. I was scouted there, and so I decided to check out LBC. The intentionality and care first caught my eye. LBC had everything I wanted and had a strong Christian background, so it seemed like an easy choice.
Q: What is the story behind this most recent composition & how would you describe it?
A: My most recent (and also first) released composition was written for a film student at Franklin & Marshall College. This is the second film [for which] a student had asked me to write music. I ended up liking the music so much that I, with the approval of the director, released it to the public. Written and directed by Omar Khattab, “Hepta: The Mind’s Prism,” aims to explore complicated themes such as “perception, control and freedom within a fragmented society.” The music itself is darker, with hints of passion and sorrow. The entire EP takes place in a dreamscape, so I wanted to emphasize that feeling of etherealness. As of right now, I do not believe the short film is available to watch yet.
Q: You also created some original works while a student at LBC & collaborated with other college musicians & ensembles. Can you tell us more about that?
A: Over the course of my five years at LBC, I wrote many pieces and participated in several ensembles. I’ve written music for the Chorale, Men’s Chorus and a group of chamber singers. As for my instrumental works, I’ve written music for the string orchestra, the percussion ensemble, solo piano, piano and violin, and soon the wind ensemble, which will premier another of my works this fall. Additionally, I’ve also written music that has played in chapel and in my local church. Altogether, I’ve had a lot of incredible opportunities! Each one came with their challenges but were all incredibly fun to write.
Q: What did you value about the biblical integration within your music & composition courses at LBC?
A: I graduated high school from a private Christian school. The transition from there to LBC was seamless. I highly valued being surrounded by Christian peers and teaching throughout my education. Whenever I was going through things, I could always count on them to lead me through and to point me ever upwards. As for the music side of things, having a biblical background made my courses all the richer. Why do I write music? How can we enjoy music in the first place? It is all from God, through God, and should be given back to Him as well. Knowing that, I can use my talents to glorify my Creator who has breathed new life into what was once a hobby.
Q: What did you enjoy about the music community with both students & faculty at LBC?
A: Prior to LBC, I only had one experience of playing music with others. With my peers, I was able to connect in a way I had never been able to before. Playing music with someone else can truly be a joy. I would strongly recommend anyone who is feeling self-conscious for whatever reason to get out of their shells and play with someone. Speaking of, the faculty at LBC were immediately welcoming from the get-go. I could relate and converse with them, and they helped me out of my introvert shell, even if only a little. They have always been a source of knowledge and wisdom whenever needed.
Q: What’s next on the horizon for your music career?
A: I have a couple things planned for the next few months. As I mentioned, the wind ensemble will be performing one of my pieces this fall. As for public online releases, I have a single planned for July 2025. I might even be able to release another small project [in August 2025]. My biggest project, however, will be releasing on all major platforms on the first day of fall! At least, that’s the plan. I can’t reveal too much information yet, but I can assure that these releases will be quite different from “Hepta.”
Q: For you, what does ‘Experience Different’ at LBC mean?
A: When I first walked onto LBC campus, I would argue that it felt more like “Experience Sameness” to me. Not a bad thing at all, as I mentioned that I came from a Christian high school. Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve come to truly understand what it means. The chapels, the Bible classes, the roommates and dorm halls – all of it is created for the sole purpose of glorifying God. Very few things in this world are like that. What I’ve found is that true purpose is incredibly lacking elsewhere. At LBC, everyone shares the same purpose. We all seek to grow closer to Him, which in turn grows us closer to each other. LBC is truly a great community, and I’m incredibly thankful I was able to join it.