Pianist Composer
ABOUT
Hudson Somerlott (he/they) is a queer music composer from Spokane, Washington. He received his Bachelor of Music from Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington with a degree in Music Composition and Theory in 2023. His love for music came from playing video games and watching movies as a child. Growing up, Hudson never took any piano lessons, so he learned to play piano through pianist/composer Isaac Shepard's music books, as well as learning songs by ear. He later on incorporated band in addition to piano to his performance career. His primary instrument is piano, but he has also played various instruments in a variety of ensembles:
Concert Band- 2013-2016, 2020 alto saxophone, french horn
Marching Band- 2016-2018 alto saxophone
Pep Band- 2016-2018 alto saxophone, mellophone
Wind Ensemble- 2017-2019, 2021-2023 alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, french horn
Saxophone Choir 2017-2019 soprano saxophone
Solo Pianist- 2020-2022
Collaborative Pianist- 2020-2021
Concert Choir- 2021 bass/baritone
Hudson’s musical repertoire ranges from solo piano works, small chamber ensembles, full orchestra or wind ensemble, electronic music, lofi hip-hop, and film/video game scores. He is inspired by strong themes and emotions including triumph, heroism, nature, weather, conflict, natural disasters, and even current events or personal experiences.
Before becoming a composition major, Hudson had the intention of going to college for a music education degree. Because of this, he was involved with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). He, and the WSU Collegiate Chapter, presented at the national conference in 2021 “An Introduction to Chinese Piano Music: Creating Dialogue About Diversity.”
During his studies in college, Hudson was a member of the co-educational fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi- Iota Gamma from 2021-2023. Kappa Kappa Psi is dedicated to advancing university bands for the benefit of its members through meaningful musical experiences and enrichment, leadership development, service to bands and its members, and lifelong fellowship and community.
Hudson also had the opportunity to study audio engineering from 2021-2022 at the Washington State University 4th Floor Studios with an internship in 2022.
His music has been showcased twice at the Festival of Contemporary Art Music (FOCAM). In 2022, the TORCH Artist Collective featuring, Erik Likkel- clarinet, Brian Chin- trumpet, Steve Schermer- double bass, and Bonnie Whiting- vibraphone, debuted Hudson’s first jazz combo “Takin’ A Break.” In 2023, he premiered his 7-minute Blender Animation short film titled “Spring.”
To round out his college career, Hudson performed his final composition recital at Washington State University's Kimbrough Hall in 2023. This collection of music showcased his best compositions:
Memories From a Past Life, piano solo performed by Hudson Somerlott
Rolling Hills, for brass quartet performed by students of the brass studio.
Spring, a seven minute short film animation premiered at FOCAM.
The Hero’s Journey, an eleven minute percussion piece performed by the WSU percussion ensemble.
Elements of Nature, an eleven minute wind ensemble piece accompanied by a documentary-style short film.
Hudson would love to collaborate with visual artists to create movies, tv shows, and video games to create inspiring, energetic, and captivating works of art that create meaningful connection with an audience. Media is an amazing platform that creates a community of vastly different groups of people together.
