Samuel Adler (1928–2024) was an American composer, conductor, and educator whose catalog spans orchestral works, chamber music, vocal literature, and sacred choral pieces. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and prolific creator of liturgical music, Adler spent decades on the faculty at Eastman School of Music, where he mentored generations of composers and conductors. His choral writing is marked by accessibility without compromise; he understood how to write idiomatically for voices while maintaining musical substance.
Adler's sacred works have become standard repertoire in concert halls, churches, and educational settings. He composed with sensitivity to text, creating music that serves both devotional and artistic purposes. His influence on American choral music extends through his compositions, his students, and his unwavering commitment to making serious music available to singers of varying skill levels.
