Brian Raphael Nabors

Brian Raphael Nabors is an Assistant Professor of Composition at the School of Music, Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge. His creative and academic journey spans prestigious institutions and collaborations with renowned orchestras globally.

Education:

• Doctor of Musical Arts & Master’s Degree in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
• Bachelor of Music in Theory & Composition from Samford University

Nabors’ research and compositional practice focuses on blending diverse musical traditions, including R&B/Neo Soul, Jazz, Funk, and Black marching band culture, into contemporary classical and orchestral frameworks. His work explores cross-genre fusion and the integration of cultural soundscapes into modern composition.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• 2025 A.I. duPont Composition Award
• 2024 Young Alumni Award (University of Cincinnati)
• 2020 Fulbright Fellowship
• 2021 Tanglewood composition fellow
• 2019 Nashville Symphony composer fellow
• 2019 ACO Earshot composer fellow
• 2019 Rapido! Composition Contest national grand prize winner

His compositions have been performed internationally by orchestras such as the Boston Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, and Munich Symphony at venues including Carnegie Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and the Lucerne Festival. He has collaborated with ensembles like the Apollo Chamber Players and Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings.