NIKOLAUS UMAR DURR
featured composition, Interlude for String Orchestra  (World Premiere)
OCO 2025-2026 • February 15, 2026
Nikolaus Umar Durr is a composer-violinist based in Oakland, CA. Their
first violin lessons began at age 6. An almost rabid desire for compo-
sition which followed soon after that lead to formal lessons at age 10 with local
composer and pianist Molly Axtmann, in conjunction with an education
at The Crowden School.
 
Niko has had work performed by Left Coast Chamber Ensemble
as well as various faculty and students associated with The Crowden
School and Oakland School for the Arts. Niko was one of the inaugural
students for the John Adams Young Composers Program at Crowden’s
Community Music Center, through which they studied under Martha
Stoddard as well as John Adams himself. During this time, Niko was also
director of music for Harmonikos, a kind of composer/performer’s forum
organized by fellow Crowden alumni. Niko has premiered several works
in close collaboration with OCO, including Merritt Fanfare, Zephyr in
Gemini and Legend: Symphony-Concerto for Horn and Orchestra  since
​becoming its Composer-in-Residence in 2021.

To hear more of Niko's compositions click on the YouTube Playlist button below.