Mark Nuccio

Clarinetist Mark Nuccio has garnered widespread acclaim for his captivating performances, with critics praising him as “the evening’s highlight,” “full of mystery and insight,” and for “shaping his phrases beautifully with a rich, expressive tone” (The New York Times).

Mr. Nuccio has served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Houston Symphony since 2016, having previously played for seventeen years as Associate Principal and Eb Clarinet with the New York Philharmonic. He has also held prominent positions with orchestras in Pittsburgh, Denver, Savannah, and Florida. Throughout his illustrious career, he has been featured as a concerto soloist with the Houston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony and other esteemed ensembles. His performances have graced some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y in New York.

Beyond his performances, Mr. Nuccio is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians. He currently serves on the faculty of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and has previously taught at Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College, and Duquesne University. During the summer months, he imparts his expertise at renowned music festivals such as Brevard, Strings Music Festival, and Sarasota Music Festival.

In addition to his performing career, Mark Nuccio is a performing artist/clinician for the Buffet Music Group and an Advising Artist and Clinician for D’Addario.

Clarinetist Mark Nuccio is widely acclaimed for performances of uncommon depth and imagination. The New York Times has praised him as “the evening’s highlight,” citing his “mystery and insight” and “beautifully shaped phrases with a rich, expressive tone.” Equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader, Nuccio is recognized internationally for his versatility and artistic authority.

Nuccio has served as Principal Clarinet of the Houston Symphony since 2016. Prior to his appointment in Houston, he was a member of the New York Philharmonic for 17 seasons, where he held the positions of Associate Principal and Solo E-flat Clarinet beginning in 1999, and later Acting Principal Clarinet from 2009 to 2013.

His orchestral career includes engagements with leading ensembles in Pittsburgh, Denver, Savannah, and Florida. As a soloist, he has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony, and has given recitals at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y. An active international performer, Nuccio has toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia, sharing his artistry with audiences around the world.

A dedicated educator, Nuccio serves on the faculty of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and is a regular faculty member at the Brevard Music Center and Sarasota Music Festival, with additional involvement in chamber music at the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His previous teaching appointments include the Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, Mannes College, Duquesne University, and Savannah State University.

Highly sought after as a studio musician, Nuccio has performed on major film soundtracks, television commercials, and live broadcasts, including the Grammy Awards and The Late Show with David Letterman. His debut recording, Opening Night (2006), features the clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms.

A Colorado native, Nuccio holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and Northwestern University. He is the author of The Audition Method, Volumes 1 & 2, and is a Performing Artist with Buffet Music Group and an Advising Artist and Clinician for D’Addario.

Clarinetist Mark Nuccio enjoys an international reputation as one of today’s most compelling and versatile artists, praised for his “mystery and insight” and “rich, expressive tone” by The New York Times. With a career spanning orchestral leadership, concerto appearances, chamber music, recording, and teaching, he has earned recognition as a distinguished performer and educator.

Mr. Nuccio was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Houston Symphony in 2016. He came to Houston following a remarkable 17-year tenure with the New York Philharmonic, where he joined in 1999 as Associate Principal Clarinet and Solo E-flat Clarinet. During his time with the Philharmonic, he also served as Acting Principal Clarinet from 2009 to 2013, appearing as soloist on multiple occasions, including a notable performance of the Copland Clarinet Concerto. Earlier orchestral appointments included positions with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Denver Symphony, Savannah Symphony, and The Florida Orchestra.

As a concerto soloist, Mr. Nuccio has appeared with the Houston Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and other orchestras. He has also performed in recital and chamber music settings at many of the country’s premier venues, including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y in New York. His festival and touring appearances have brought him to audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

An active and dedicated educator, Mr. Nuccio currently serves on the faculty of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He is also a regular faculty member at the Brevard Music Center, Sarasota Music Festival, and Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His previous appointments include Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College, Duquesne University, and Savannah State University. Through masterclasses, private instruction, and festival teaching worldwide, Mr. Nuccio has made significant contributions to clarinet pedagogy. He is the author of The Audition Method series, a comprehensive and widely respected approach to orchestral excerpt preparation. Volume 1 was released in 2020, followed by Volume 2 in 2023, with the series expanding to include editions for other orchestral instruments.

In addition to his classical work, Mr. Nuccio maintains an active career in the recording studio. His credits include major motion picture soundtracks such as Failure to Launch, The Last Holiday, The Rookie, and The Score, as well as television commercials, Super Bowl broadcasts, and the Masters Golf Tournament. He has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and performed at the Grammy Awards with Coldplay.

A native of Colorado, Mr. Nuccio is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Northern Colorado, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and studied with the legendary clarinet pedagogue Robert Marcellus.

Mr. Nuccio is a performing artist and clinician for the Buffet Music Group and a D’Addario Advising Artist & Clinician.