Position:
Adjunct Associate Professor, Music Composition
Email:
thomas.nazziola@su.edu
Employed Since:
Spring 2024
Conservatory Professional Highlights:
The music of Grammy®-nominated composer Tom Nazziola has been featured on virtually every medium in the world of composition. From live film music to choral and orchestral pieces, his work has been performed in France, Ireland, Slovenia, Guatemala, Croatia and throughout the United States, as well as broadcast nationally and internationally on radio and television. His music has been performed by several ensembles, including Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, Bang on a Can, Eastman Percussion Ensemble, VocalEssence, New York University Percussion Ensemble, Cantori NY and the New Jersey Youth Symphony, among others. His highly praised film score for “The Golem” was featured on John Schaefer’s “New Sounds” (WNYC); his compositions have also been aired on NBC, ABC, ESPN, BET and CBS. In addition to composing, he is also the musical director and composer for The BQE Project, a celebrated New York-based chamber ensemble known for its original compositions performed live-to-film throughout the world.
Nazziola’s orchestrations have also found an audience. He is responsible for orchestrating music for the U.S. Open and he was also commissioned to orchestrate Edward MacDowell’s “Woodland Sketches” for a performance by the New York Philharmonic with guest artist Garrison Keillor. He has served as head orchestrator and conductor for Broadway Asia International’s “Race for Love,” which premiered in Huairou, China.
Tom has been commissioned by the American Composer’s Forum, VocalEssence, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Cantori NY, Museum of the Moving Image and the New Jersey Youth Symphony (first commissioned composer by this organization), among others. He has received numerous awards, including the Samuel Adler Grand Prize (2020), Winner of the 2016 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest for Large Percussion Ensemble, Bistro Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, AMBY Award and the Erich Parker Parent’s Choice Award. His music has been featured on several radio stations across the country, including NPR, WNYC, WWUH, WJFF and WCAL.
As a performer, Nazziola has played with Rufus Reid, Dave Liebman, Bob Brookmeyer, George Russell, Terrance Blanchard, Jeff Beal, Richie Beirach, John Hollenbeck, Michael Brecker, Gerry Mulligan Marvin Hamlisch, Gloria Gaynor and Terry Silverlight. He has also played percussion on several Broadway productions including Martin Short’s “Fame Becomes Me” and Disney’s “Newsies.” In the area of film he has recorded on the soundtrack for Paramount Picture’s “Mad Hot Ballroom.” Tom’s performances can also be heard on Disney’s “Baby Einstein” CDs and DVDs in which he has served as principal keyboardist for over 10 years.
Tom is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and holds a master’s degree in composition from Brooklyn College and a Ph.D. in composition from Rutgers University. He also studied composition and orchestration at the Juilliard School and at the Mannes School of Music.
Educational History:
B.M., Eastman School of Music; M.M., Brooklyn College; Ph.D., Rutgers University
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