Mark Nuccio (Clarinet): Critics have praised clarinetist Mark Nuccio for his solo, orchestral, and chamber appearances, describing him as "the eveningʼs highlight," full of "mystery and insight," and "shaping his phrases beautifully with a rich, expressive tone." (New York Times) Mr. Nuccio joined the Houston Symphony as the Principal Clarinetist in the fall of 2016. Prior to Houston, Nuccio was a member of the New York Philharmonic from 1999 to 2016 as Associate Principal and Solo E-flat Clarinetist. During those 17 years, he served as Acting Principal Clarinet with the New York Philharmonic for four years from 2009 to 2013. Prior to his service with the Philharmonic, he held positions with orchestras in Pittsburgh, Denver, Savannah, and Florida working with distinguished conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Kurt Masur, Mariss Jansons, Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Erich Leinsdorf, Alan Gilbert, Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly, André Previn, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Gustavo Dudamel. An active soloist and chamber musician, he made his Carnegie Hall New York recital debut in 2001, his subscription solo debut with the New York Philharmonic on Feb. 10, 2010, and returned to perform the Copland Concerto with the Philharmonic under the baton of Alan Gilbert on May 31 and June 1 of 2013. As a studio musician, Mr. Nuccio is featured on numerous movie soundtracks, including Failure To Launch, The Last Holiday, The Rookie, The Score, Intolerable Cruelty, Alamo, Poohʼs Heffalump, Hitch, The Manchurian Candidate, and various television commercials. Additionally, he has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and on the 2003 Grammy Awards. His own debut album featuring the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms, Opening Night, was released in November 2006. A Colorado native, Mr. Nuccio was recently awarded the "Distinguished Alumni Award" from his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado, a very select honor bestowed on an elite group of 200 alumnus representing various fields throughout the long history of the university. He also holds a master's degree from Northwestern University where he studied with renowned pedagogue Robert Marcellus. Beyond his active performing schedule, Mr. Nuccio is a dedicated teacher committed to training the next generation of musicians and currently serves on the faculty of the University of Houston and teaches master classes in the U.S. and abroad. Nuccio is a DʼAddario Advising Artist & Clinician and a Performing Artist/ Clinician for Buffet Music Group.