Dr. Brian Cobb (b. 1972, Quincy, MA) has been on faculty at Bellevue College since 2006. Presently, Dr. Cobb serves as the music department’s private instruction, music theory, and instrumental music activities coordinator, as well as an instructor in the fields of music theory, composition, music history, music technology, and jazz performance. Cobb is also involved in Bellevue College’s Interdisciplinary Studies and teaches a history of cinema and film music course with instructor Ron Austin. He is the founder and director of the Bellevue College Composer’s Studio. Cobb moved to Seattle in 2001 from the east coast to pursue his doctorate degree (D.M.A. ’06) in music composition from the University of Washington. He has also received degrees from the University of Massachusetts (M.M. ’00) and Berklee College of Music (B.M. ’96), both in the field of music composition. Cobb has taught music at the University of Washington and the University of Massachusetts, Shoreline Community College’s Summer College, and as guest lecturer at Pacific Lutheran University, Western Oregon University, Central Washington University, and Seattle Conservatory.
Cobb is an active composer and double bassist. His composition catalogue includes music for voice, wind ensemble, orchestra, dance, film, electronic media, and numerous chamber settings. Brian’s major works include “Campfire Songs” (for two voices and mixed ensemble) a theatrical song cycle set during the American Frontier era, “sCatterEd” (for solo flute) an interdisciplinary work that fuses music/theatre/kinesics, and the evolution-influenced “in far country” (for alto/soprano saxophone & piano) commissioned by saxophone virtuoso Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin. Cobb’s music has been published by Ludwin Music Co and has received awards and grants from ASCAP, the University of Washington, and Jack Straw Productions. He is a Present Sounds Records recording artist and has recorded and performed with the Tom Baker Quartet, the William O. Smith Trio, CrossTalk, David Hahn’s Concert Imaginaire, Aaron Goldberg, George Garzone, and Mantana Robets. Cobb’s debut CD, Campfire Songs, was released on Present Sounds Records in 2010.