About
Colin I. Nossek (b. 1999) is a composer and clarinetist dedicated to the creation of new, imaginative works that are accessible to a wide audience. They graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona in 2021, where they studied with Dr. Yuanyuan HE (composition) and Dr. Jackie Glazier (clarinet). Nossek’s music is influenced by the natural world, dreams and psychedelia, and film and literature. They cite American folk music, Maurice Ravel, and Thomas Adès as their foremost inspirations. Nossek has received commissions internationally including those from award-winning saxophonist Don-Paul Kahl, the zooDuo, and contrabassoonist Susan Nigro. Nossek’s works for saxophone have been featured at NASA conferences in 2019 and 2021. Their recently commissioned work for clarinet and saxophone I think this is a ghost story recently received its European premiere by Duo Entre- nous at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
As a performer, Nossek is a proponent of new music. They believe in decolonization of the classical music canon and are always looking to perform new or underperformed works by women, queer composers, and composers of color. While studying at the University of Arizona, Nossek held the position of principal clarinet and principal bass clarinet in the UA Wind Ensemble and participated in the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, the Vulpes Wind Quintet, and the Avian Trio. Nossek was selected as the winner of the 2021 University of Arizona President’s Competition (Winds/Brass/Percussion division) for their performance of Scott McAllister’s Black Dog.
Nossek is gender-fluid and uses any pronouns. In addition to music, they are a writer of horror fiction under the pseudonym Carmilla du Maurier.
Select works by Nossek are published by T.U.X. People’s Music Publishing.
Photo Credit: Mindi Acosta