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University of Illinois School of Music alum Steve Hackman conducted the orchestra and chorus for Charlie Puth’s National Anthem at Super Bowl LX. Hackman received an undergraduate degree in Piano Performance before receiving a conducting degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and continuing at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen. While at Illinois, he studied with Gustavo Romero, and he was also a member of the Other Guys and the Varsity Men’s Glee Club.
Hackman’s music combines classical and pop music to create fusions that reach broad audiences. According to his website: “Hackman’s groundbreaking orchestral fusions known as SYMPHONYFUSE, such as Brahms X Radiohead and The Resurrection Mixtape (Mahler X Notorious BIG X Tupac Shakur), are introducing the symphony orchestra to its future audience; he has conducted these pieces to sellout houses across the country with the orchestras of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colorado, Phoenix, Nashville, Oregon, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Columbus, Charlotte, Southwest Florida, Alabama, Colorado Music Festival, and the Boston Pops.” He has also collaborated with the Cincinnati Pops. “Hackman has teamed up with some of the biggest pop superstars of today to add a signature virtuosic and classical dimension to their work.” He has collaborated with Charlie Puth previously. In addition, he recently released an album of string orchestra arrangements available on all streaming platforms. Current School of Music MM student Simon Tiffin, who got to work with Hackman on his most recent Fusion work, Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era, called him “truly a visionary.”
Singer-songwriter Puth thanked Hackman for the performance. “Thank you to the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Sainted Choir, the Color of Noize Orchestra, Steve Hackman, and Kenny G for joining me on stage. And thank you Adam Blackstone for writing such a beautiful choir part. I love music so much.”
