APPLICATION MATERIALS

Biography

Jordan Nobles is a JUNO Award-winning Canadian composer known for music of “unearthly beauty” (Mondomagazine) that invites listeners to “close (their) eyes and transcend into a cloud of music” (Discorder Magazine). With over 100 works for orchestra, ensemble, and choir, his compositions have been performed around the world and are celebrated for their immersive soundscapes and evocative use of space.

Over the course of his career, Jordan has released 11 albums of his music and received numerous accolades, including the distinguished Azrieli Music Prize (2024), a JUNO Award (2017), and a Western Canadian Music Award (2018). He has also earned first prizes in several international composition competitions, including the Unbound Flute Festival (Brisbane, 2016), Sacra/Profana (San Diego, 2013), Vancouver Bach Choir (2008), and Polyphonos (Seattle, 2011).

He is a past recipient of the Jan V. Matejcek Award from SOCAN for “outstanding achievement in New Classical Music” (2017) and was honoured with the Barbara Pentland Award of Excellence for his “extraordinary contribution to Canadian music.”

Jordan lives in Deep Cove, BC, with his wife Kelly and their child Julian.

Jordan Nobles’ Curriculum Vitae
River Thames Composition Proposal
Artwork Inspired by the Thames
Composition Samples

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RIVER THAMES COMPOSITION PROPOSAL

Working Title: Fifteen Views of the River Thames
Duration: Approximately 20–25 minutes
Instrumentation: Flute quartet (flute, violin, viola, cello), and a version for piano quartet

Concept:
Fifteen Views of the River Thames would be a suite of fifteen short movements inspired by historical paintings depicting the River Thames. Each movement will bear the title of the artwork from which it draws inspiration.

The chosen artworks will be arranged geographically to follow the river’s journey from its source in the Cotswolds, passing Oxford, Windsor, London area landmarks, and finally to its estuary at Southend-on-Sea.

The piece could be structured around a central “Thames Theme,” presented initially and then developed through a loosely interpreted theme-and-variations form. Movements will alternate between ensemble pieces and shorter solo variations that showcase the individual instrumentalists, offering performers opportunities for expressive interpretation and technical display.

Proposed Structure Example:

• Thames Theme (Introduction)
• Variation 1: tutti
• Variation 2: tutti
• Variation 3: solo violin
• Variation 4: tutti
• Variation 5: tutti
• Variation 6: tutti
• Variation 7: solo violoncello
• Variation 8: tutti
• Variation 9: tutti
  (Continuing in similar fashion to complete the fifteen movements.)

I will select artworks during the composition process that represent various points along the Thames, including Oxford, the Old London Docks, Tower Bridge, etc. The goal is to curate a collection of inspiring art from different historical periods and ensure the inclusion of artworks by women artists, enriching the thematic and artistic depth of my composition.

Artistic Inspiration and Personal Connection:
My compositional approach frequently explores water as both a physical element and a metaphorical inspiration, considering its diverse manifestations such as fog, clouds, rain, waterfalls, ocean tides, ice, and dew. I am greatly inspired by the reflections of water and the way light dances on it.

Similarly, visual art—particularly painting—deeply informs my musical imagination, providing emotional resonance rather than literal translations into sound.

In Fifteen Views of the River Thames, these inspirations naturally converge. The river’s continuous flow and transformation, mirrored in the evolving visual depictions through history, offers a profound metaphor for human interaction with nature, place, and time. The resulting work aims to immerse listeners in the dynamic narrative of the Thames, inviting thoughtful reflection on its historical and artistic significance. 

I LOVED visiting England and walking along the Thames. I am Canadian but I can trace my roots back to that area and I felt profoundly at ‘home’ when I was there. As part of my creative process, I plan to visit again to experience the Thames for inspiration, perhaps more than once. I will be attending an upcoming performance of my work in London this October and I intend to walk sections of the river, explore various art galleries, and deepen my connection to both the visual and sensory impressions that will enrich this composition.

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ARTWORK INSPIRED BY THE THAMES

Far too many to choose from yet but here is a quick selection.

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COMPOSITION SAMPLES