Norbert H. J. Nozy
Norbert H. J. Nozy (born 9 September 1952 in Halen, Belgium) is a contemporary Belgian conductor, music educator, and classical saxophonist. Education Nozy was introduced to music at a young age through his father, Norbert Nozy, who was in a local band. Nozy studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven. He won first prizes in music theory, transposition, percussion, chamber music, harmony, counterpoint and the higher diploma saxophone. Nozy studied conducting with Andre Vandernoot, Yvon Ducène, Leonce Gras and Jean-Sebastien Bereau of the Conservatoire de Paris. He studied fugue with Victor Legley. Nozy was also recognized as an exceptional saxophonist. In 1970 he was Pro Civitate laureate of the International Gaudeamus Competition for Contemporary Music in Rotterdam in 1973, the Stravinsky Seminar for young conductors, organized by the National Opera in 1975. Saxophonist He was a member of the Saxophone Quartet of Belgium ("Le Quatuor Belge de Saxophones") and Saxophone Ensemble from 1972 to 1975 and represented Belgium at several international conferences and symposia including saxophone in Bordeaux, London, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Luxembourg, Maastricht, Ghent, and Brussels. For the academic year 1973 to 1974 he was a visiting lecturer and teacher at the University of North Texas College of Music, the same year that Jim Riggs began teaching saxophone at North Texas. Conductor In 1975 he was hired as a saxophonist in the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Guides. After great success to the tests of Kapellmeister, he directed the Military Band of the Belgian First Corps in Cologne. From February 1, 1985 he was the head of the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Guides and held this position until 2003. From 1983 to 1985 he served as conductor of the Harmonieorkest St. Michaël Thorn. Since June 27, 2004 he has been the conductor of the Koninklijke Harmonie of Thorn. He is also chief conductor of the Royal Netherlands Army Band "Johan Willem Friso" in Assen. He won European Championships in London in 1988 conducting The Wind Band Saint Michael of Thorn, in 2003 in Venlo and in 2016 in Utrecht conducting The Royal Symphonic Band of Thorn. Teacher Nozy has taught at the Maastricht Academy of Music and the Lemmens Institute in Leuven. He has led seminars on the musical Les Rièzes et les Sarts to Cul-des-Sarts. Nozy teaches saxophone and wind band, at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he also directs the orchestra of the conservatory. He gives master classes at home and abroad. Juror He is also a juror in international competitions, including (i) the World Music Festival (WMC) in Kerkrade, (ii) the Tenuto Competition in Brussels, and (iii) the Saxophone Festival in Dinant, the Certamen in Valencia, the Maria Callas Competition in Athens, Coups de Vents Competition in Lille etc. Selected discography Portrait of Paul Golson, Anthology of Flemish Band Music, part 1 Tracks 1–4 Brass Band Buizingen, conducted by Luc Vertommen Tracks 5–8 Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Guides, conducted by Norbert Nozy Soloist,