From Film Scores to the Fox Stage: Pianist and Composer Philip Daniel Comes to McCook

McCook Neb. — Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Philip Daniel has built a career on emotion — weaving stories not with words, but with sound. A classically trained pianist and acclaimed film composer, Daniel’s music has been streamed more than 30 million times around the world, connecting deeply with audiences who crave music that feels as much as it sounds.

Daniel’s journey began at the piano bench, earning a graduate degree in Piano Performance from the UMKC Conservatory and a dual undergraduate degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Hastings College. Along the way, he discovered a passion for composing original music — a path that would become his life’s work. Inspired by contemporary greats like Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Philip Glass, and Max Richter, Daniel’s compositions blend classical tradition with minimalist textures and cinematic storytelling.

The result is a sound that defies genre and speaks directly to the heart — music that resonates with seasoned musicians and casual listeners alike. With ten studio albums to his name and a growing body of work for film, dance, and multimedia projects, Daniel’s scores are as versatile as they are evocative.

But for Daniel, the goal is always the same: to create music that moves people. “I believe in the transformative power of music,” he says, “and in its ability to connect us in ways words often can’t.”

✨ Experience Philip Daniel Live in McCook ✨

McCook audiences will have two chances to experience Daniel’s artistry in person at the Historic Fox Theatre:

📻 Friday, October 17 | 10:00–11:00 AM – Nebraska Public Media’s Friday Live broadcast, featuring Philip Daniel as one of the live performers. Free and open to the public. Concessions available.

🎹 Sunday, October 19 | 3:00–5:00 PM – A full-length concert performance by Philip Daniel. Admission is free-will donation, with proceeds supporting the Historic Fox Theatre Renovation Project. Concessions available.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of Nebraska’s most compelling contemporary composers right here in McCook — bringing cinematic storytelling and stirring emotion to the Fox stage.