NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

School of Music students present benefit concert for Ukraine, March 25

School of Music students present benefit concert for Ukraine, March 25

Students from the Northern Illinois University School of Music will present a benefit concert organized to raise awareness and aid for Ukraine, Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building on NIU’s main campus.

Performers from the School of Music include NIU School of Music Professor and Head of Percussion Studies Gregory Beyer, members of the NIU Philharmonic Orchestra, NIU Jazz Ensembles, steelpan and world music instrumentalists and many more.

There is no charge for admission, audience members are encouraged to consider donating to a Ukraine aid organization such as:

  • Mercy Corps – Provides humanitarian assistance, cash aid, and works with local organizations in Ukraine to get funds and donations to places they’re most needed.
  • United Nations High Commission for Refugees – Provides resources and aid for refugees, displaces people, and those removed from their homelands. Currently working to provide support for Ukranians fleeing their country.
  • Direct Relief – Provides medical supplies, currently working with the Ukranian Ministry of Health, and is working to offer medical aid to people in Ukraine and the surrounding countries.
  • Save the Children – Helps families and children in a variety of ways, offering cash assistance, shelter, food, education and much more to provide humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine. This organization focuses its efforts on children and families with children affected by the crisis.

The benefit concert has been organized by a pair of graduate students in the NIU School of Music, Jennalynn Cisna and Annie Sun Chung.

The concert will be live streamed.

Ukraine Benefit Concert
NIU School of Music
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall
Friday, March 25, 8 p.m.

Program Order

Ukraine National Anthem, United Armed Forces edition
Collaborate performance of strings and winds
Annie S. Chung, conductor

Drastic Measures, Mvt. I,  Russell Peck (1945-2009)
Nick Haddock, Daniël Smith, David Patush, and Aaron Adams
Saxophone Quartet

Berimbau Solo no. 4, “Sakura Park” 
Traditional Music from Capoeira Angola 
Ladainha, “eu ’tava em casa”
as recorded by Mestre Traíra (b. 1963) and transcribed by Gregory Beyer
Dr. Gregory Beyer, berimbau

Elegiac Trio, Arnold Bax (1883-1953)
Gianna Capobianco, flute;  Zachary Green, viola; Abby Stoner, harp

Caritas, Mvt. II ‘Solemn’ Michael Burritt (b. 1962)
Matt Schneider, Marimba

Plyve Kacha, Ukraine Folk Song arr. Andrew Selig (b. 1997)
Andrew Selig, Sergio Arias-Montiel, Liam Weber, and Ting-Yun (Rebecca) Wu
Horn Quartet

Romanze in F minor, Op. 60, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ranan Antonini, violin; Jennalynn Cisna, piano

Mariel, Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)
Ben Heppner, Marimba; Dayoung Park, cello

Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day,  Da Yo Lo (b. 1954)
Chih-I Hsiao, Erhu
Ting-Yun (Rebecca) Wu, Piano

Verbovaya Doschechka, Ukrainian Folksong
Steelpan Ensemble

Peace, Horace Silver (1928-2014)
Austyn Menk, piano; Noah Brooks, drums;  Kirby Fellis, trombone; Morgan Turner, string bass

Adagio for Strings, Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Members of the NIU philharmonic strings
Annie S. Chung, conductor

Kyiv Waltz, P. Mayboroda (1918-1989)
Dani’ca Richardson, conductor
Full band

Prayer for Ukraine
Bryan A. Flippin, conductor
Full band

NIU Philharmonic Strings

Violins:
*Ranan Antonini
Daniela Escobar Oyola
Alexa Garza
Ella Barribeau
Jair Nunez

Viola

Zachary Green
Jacqueline Scavetta

Cello
Dayoung Park
Frances Marshall

Double Bass
Phoebe Shaughnessy

Band roster

Flute
Gianna Capobianco
Chanel Antoshin
Anna Rockman, piccolo

Oboe
David Coons

Clarinet
Adeline Confederat
Mikaela Jackson
Kayla Bivin
Katelyn Ackland
Rowan Brennan

Saxophone
Nick Haddock (alto)
Daniël Smith (alto)
David Patush (tenor saxophone)
Aaron Adams (baritone saxophone)

Horn
Andrew Selig
Sergio Arias-Montiel
Liam Weber
Ting-Yun (Rebecca) Wu

Trumpet
Jaron Holder
Emma Walsh

Trombone
Emelia Barrera
Kirby Fellis

Tuba
Dan Nowosad

Percussion
Andrew Kinsey
Mikey Speziale
Matt Schneider

Annie Sun Chung, Master of Music, 22

Annie Sun Chung, Master of Music, 22

Music Huskie Spotlight

Huskie Spotlight: Annie Sun Chung, Master of Music, ’22

Annie Sun Chung

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?: My major is wind band conducting. I decided to study to become a better educator for my students.

What is your favorite thing about studying and/or playing music at NIU?
My favorite thing about studying and playing music at NIU is the community. The professors are brilliant and are always willing to help. The students are hard working and humble. I appreciate the supportive atmosphere and the opportunity to pursue my interests.

How have you connected with other students at NIU? While we make music, we connect in another level that I find truly special. Making music with other people is truly the highlight of my day. I have seen growth in myself as a person and musician, as well as other people.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course do they teach? I gained respect for my professor Dr. Thomas Bough, who is my primary mentor for my major. He models hard work ethic and inspires the ensemble to achieve excellence. I pick up new rehearsal techniques and lessons at every rehearsal.

Why did you choose NIU to study music? I chose to study at NIU because of the inclusion of diversity in music and race. I feel safe and advocated as a minority in my field.

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges? : My advice is to seek wise counsel from older people you trust. Be organized in your research and have thorough understanding of your goals and places you apply to. Schedule a lesson with the professor.

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