Nailah Nombeko

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Nailah Nombeko

Nailah Nombeko is a native New Yorker. Her music was performed all over the US in such venues as Symphony Space, Columbia University, The University of Kansas, The University of Kentucky, The International Double Reed Conference at the University of Colorado, National Sawdust, The Annapolis Opera and The Portland Opera. Internationally her music was performed in the Netherlands with soprano Marijke Groenendaal and in England at the Royal Northern College of Music. She’s also written for artists such as Karen Slack, Kara Dugan and Jennifer Sgroe. 

Ms. Nombeko also received commissions from the Maryland Opera Studio, the Ethel Quartet, Intersection Music to compose a new work for Oboist Jared Hauser, Ex-Aequo’s “Changing the Canon” project, and Skaneateles Music Festival.

In 2022  Ms. Nombeko was among nine composers selected to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing composer mentor/mentee program. As a participant of this program she was commissioned to write a new work for countertenor which will be premiered in the summer of 2023. She also wrote music for the PBS Documentary “Buildings and Moods.”

Her most recent projects include writing a string quartet for the Overlook Quartet in honor of the life of Mary Eliza Mahoney. This is a joint project with the New York Times “Overlooked Obituary Series” commissioned by ACM and produced in collaboration with the Esopus Foundation, Ltd. In April of 2023 soprano Emily Albrink’s Album entitled “Force of Nature” is set to be released. This album features a song cycle “Facets of Womanhood” with music by Nailah Nombeko and texts by Mary McCallum. 

Nailah Nombeko is a member of the African American Art Song Alliance, Vox Novus and the New York Women Composers. Her song “Nobody Knows” is published by E.C. Schirmer.


Reviews

"Piece for Oboe and Piano, is beautiful and invigorating-lyrical lines with staccato piano contrasting with legato oboe."  

Mark Greenfest- Sound Word Sight

"…five short poems by Blake (1757-1827)... Beginning with "The Lilly" and closing with "The Sick Rose," these segments seem to reflect a life cycle: first upbeat but disruptive, then more pensive and hopeful. A restless but wondering middle section gives way to a reflective series of descending chord clusters; then the final poem, a rumination on death, is accompanied by a surprisingly sanguine musical tone."

Jack Crager- New Music for the 21 Century 

"Nailah Nombeko is a young American composer, her setting of Blake's The Sick Rose was thoughtful and effective, banishing all thought of Britten's version."

Robert Hugill





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Calendar

News 17.03.2024

On January 6th at 4 and 6 pm soprano Malaika Alvaro will perform “The Indian Woman’s Death Song” with violinist Mara Milkis at Bargemusic. On January 31st at 7:30 pm oboist Jared Hauser will perform “Agrestic Landscape” at the University ...

In Skaneateles, a soul-stirring, happy 200th birthday for Harriet Tubman

News 14.08.2023

In Skaneateles, a soul stirring happy birthday for Harriet Tubman (review)

Album Release-Emily Albrink's "Force of Nature

News 09.05.2023

Emily Albrink's album " Force of Nature " Features the music of Jake Heggie,  Nailah Nombeko  , Steve Rouse and Rene Orth.  Ms. Albrink's collaborative pianist is Kathleen Kelly. "Force of Nature" can be found on Spotify, YouTube Music, ...