ABOUT BRIAN
Brian Nozny (b. 1977) leads a diversified career as a percussionist, composer, and educator spanning a wide array of musical styles, including classical, jazz, world, and popular genres. As a percussionist, he has performed in an orchestral capacity with many orchestras throughout the country and currently serves as Principal Percussionist with Sinfonia Gulf Coast (Destin, FL). His excursions into chamber music have included collaborations with groups such as the Bravura Percussion Trio, the Copper Street Brass Quintet, the nief-norf project, the Brickhouse Jazz Combo, and currently as a member of JP3 (The John Psathas Percussion Project) and the BRN Duo with his wife, flutist Rachel Nozny.
As a composer, his original works and arrangements are regularly performed throughout the world. Notable ensembles and performers that have premiered Nozny’s compositions include Keith Aleo, the Caixa Trio, the Florida State University Percussion Ensemble, and NEXUS. Brian’s compositions have been published by Bachovich Music Publications, Henmar Press, Musicon Publications, Row-Loff Productions, and Tapspace Publications, and have been recorded on the Garnet House, Rattle Records, and Resonator Records labels.
Currently an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of South Alabama where he is the Director of Percussion Studies, Nozny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Tech, Master’s degrees in Composition and Performance from the University of Miami and the University of North Texas respectively, and his Doctoral degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Kentucky. His primary percussion teachers include James Campbell, John Willmarth, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Paul Rennick, Ed Smith, Ed Soph, and Ney Rosauro; his compositional training has benefited from study with Jon Nelson, Don Wilson, and Jon Polifrone.
Brian is proud to be endorsed by Evans Drumheads, Innovative Percussion, Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments, and SABIAN Cymbals.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Brian is a leader in a generation of eclectic musicians. I find him to be an expressive performer, intuitive pedagogue, and gifted composer. I look forward to the next opportunity to work with him!”
James Campbell – Professor of Music, Director of Percussion Studies – University of Kentucky
“Brian is a very special talent — great player, singular composer, fluent in a wide variety of technologies and genres, and terrific colleague. I have had the pleasure of working with him in an assortment of professional settings and look forward to future collaborations.”
John W. Parks IV, D.M.A. – Assistant Professor of Percussion – Florida State University
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Brian on several projects and have always been impressed with his professionalism and attention to detail. He is an excellent composer and I have personally programmed two of his works in the past few years. In addition, his presentations to students have tremendous pedagogical and professional value.”
Scott Herring – Associate Professor of Percussion – The University of South Carolina
“I met Brian at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, where he was finishing his DMA . He prepared some of my compositions for performance and we had some time to talk. I liked Brian and asked if he’d be interested in arranging for Nexus a recently published piano solo based on an early oil painting by John Cage. Brian agreed, completed the work, and Nexus has performed “Chess Pieces” on several occasions. It is marvelously orchestrated; a most welcomed addition to the Western Percussion Ensemble literature.”
Robin Engelman – Composer, conductor and author – NEXUS member emeritus
“Brian Nozny is one of the living composers that I’ve met.”
Ben Charles – Assistant Professor of Percussion – Tarleton State University
