Mark Nowakowski, Composer.

A Short Bio...

A composer of diverse background and influences, Mark's music reflects his equal concern for craft and human honesty.

A native of Chicago, he completed his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Colorado, and Illinois State University, from which he graduated with honors. He has studied compostion with Paul Schoenfield, Margaret Brouwer, Daniel Kellogg, Zbigniew Bargielski, Michael Theodore, John Drumheller, David Feurzeig, and Steven Taylor.

Recent commissions include a chamber piece for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, a wind ensemble piece for the ISU Wind Symphony, and a saxophone duet for Dr. Paul Nolen. In 2007 he attended the Krakow Summer Academy of the Arts, and the UNL CMI festival for which he wrote the piano trio Reaching. He was a first place winner at the 2002 ISU Arts Tech Annual, and a finalist for the 2008 ASCAP Morton Gould Award.

Mark is currently a member of "Multimode Filter," an electronic music composer collaboration. He is also the music coordinator for the Foundation for Sacred Arts. In 2008, he served as the composer-in-residence for the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

The son of Polish immigrants, Mark's music derives its philosophical influences from a bicultural existence. He is also deeply influenced by the long history of Roman Catholic Mysticism, always seeking the transcendent elements which must be present in truly useful art. A strong believer in the power of art and cultural education, he has taught at every level, dedicating his free time to promoting educational experiences in the interrelated fields of music, faith, and culture.