AUGUSTA — Richard Nelson, professor of music at the University of Maine at Augusta has been awarded a MacDowell residency for three weeks during the upcoming spring semester, according to a news release from UMA.

Located in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire, the MacDowell Colony provides talented composers (and artists in other disciplines) with an inspiring and supportive environment in which they can produce and complete their creative musical work.

During his residency Nelson plans to complete a three-movement musical composition (Cohere, Float and Dissolve) for a 13-player ensemble comprising woodwinds, brass, guitar, keyboards, bass and percussion that integrates jazz, contemporary classical music and elements of rock.

The work is intended for performance at concert venues and clubs in New York City and elsewhere by an ensemble co-led by Nelson, the group’s guitarist, and composer/saxophonist Tim O’Dell. The performances will be followed by a CD release.

Nelson is a composer and professional guitarist who has been recognized for his skillful and original integrations of contemporary classical and jazz composition and performance practices. His works have been performed by numerous ensembles and at many U.S. festivals and universities.

Nelson studied composition at Indiana University (masters degree) with Donald Erb and at Columbia University (doctor of musical arts) with Mario Davidovsky. At UMA, he is head of the Music Program’s Sonic Arts and Composition Concentration.