Born in 1982 in Belgrade, Serbia, Nebojsa S. Macura has resided in North America since 1990. He holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA), University of British Columbia (MM), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (BM). His composition teachers include Joel Hoffman, Ellen Harrison, Stephen Chatman, Dorothy Chang, Stephen Dembski, Laura Schwendinger, Joel Naumann, and Scott Gendel.

A prolific composer specializing in instrumental chamber music and works for wind band, Nebojsa has received performances in 21 US states and 3 Canadian provinces, as well as Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia, and Israel. His music has been featured at the SCI National Conference, Sonic Boom Festival, Midwest Composers Symposium, CBDNA Southern Division Conference, Midwest Graduate Music Consortium, New Dischord Festival, and MusicX.

Ensembles that have performed Nebojsa's compositions include the Denver Municipal Band, Quad City Wind Ensemble, Cuatro Puntos, CCM Chamber Players, University of South Carolina Symphonic Winds, University of Iowa Chamber Orchestra, and Turning Point Ensemble. In addition, he has participated in workshops by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Standing Wave Ensemble, and Borealis String Quartet.

Nebojsa has a keen interest in string instruments of all shapes and sizes. Currently, he plays viola in the Middleton Community Orchestra and bass guitar in the folk bands Karavay and Blue Accordion & Friends. He has also performed with the University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra and BDAA Festival Orchestra.

contact: nebmac(at)gmail.com

Recent and Upcoming Performances

Compositions

Echoes of Rascia

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“Rascia” is the Latin name for Raška, a medieval state in southeastern Europe populated by the Serbian people, and a predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Serbia. While the rich history of its liturgical chant is well documented, little is known about other types of Serbian music from the Middle Ages.

Echoes of Rascia draws upon the musical traditions, both real and imagined, of this bygone era. Except for a quote from a Serbian Orthodox (Christian) hymn, first played by the flugelhorn at the beginning of the piece, all the thematic material is original.

This work is dedicated to Rodney Winther, Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, in gratitude for his guidance and support.

Six-Year Interlude

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In 2011, I was unexpectedly reunited with someone who had been very dear to me. Although we had promised to keep in touch after graduating from university in 2005, life got in the way until a chance encounter at our alma mater brought us back together. This composition is my reaction to that event and its impact on my life.

Chochek Rhapsody

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In several countries of southeastern Europe, the term chochek refers to a type of folk dance, as well as the associated musical genre, both of which developed under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Characterized by syncopated rhythms and energetic melodies, the music is traditionally performed by an ensemble of brass instruments and drums, sometimes also including clarinets or saxophones.

While this musical heritage was the main source of inspiration, the creation of Chochek Rhapsody was also shaped by the study of wind music from the “classical” tradition of North America and western Europe, particularly the rich variety of tone colors found in the wind band.

Chochek Rhapsody was commissioned by the 2010-11 Xavier University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Matthew Westgate, conductor.

Second Nocturne

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In 2002, shortly before changing my undergraduate major from meteorology to music composition, I wrote a Nocturne for clarinet and piano. While not entirely ineffectual, the piece was constrained by my younger self’s deficiencies in technical skill and limited aesthetic outlook. The Second Nocturne, composed seven years later, is intended as a more mature response to that earlier piece.