Fall semester is here and let’s start with a quick update of notable things happening in the School of Music.
The National Association of School of Music has fully reaccredited the NIU School of Music through the year 2032.
Did you know that the Music Building’s roof is original, and is now 54 years old? Well, it won’t be for much longer. A new roof is scheduled to be installed with a finish date of on or before November 23, 2025.
The State of Illinois has ranked NIU’s Music Education program as the number one program at a public university in the state.
Bobby Broom’s More Amor, an album recorded with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra reached number one this summer on JazzWeek’s chart. Broom is assistant professor of jazz guitar and jazz studies at NIU. He had a busy summer performing regularly in Chicago’s jazz venues, which included a live recording at the Jazz Showcase with the Ben Paterson Organ Trio.
Geof Bradfield, professor of jazz saxophone and jazz studies received a Chamber Music America grant for his work, Colossal Abundance.
The Illinois Percussive Arts Society, in partnership with the Illinois Music Educator Association, released performance videos of the new junior and senior audition etudes, composed by Ben Wahlund, instructor of percussion at NIU. Performers included Gregory Beyer, NIU professor and director of percussion studies, and NIU alumnae Raychel Taylor and Angela Kepley.
Jui-Ching Wang, professor of music education and world music, presented two papers at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research in Perth, Australia.
Liam Teague, NIU Board of Trustees Professor, Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor’s composition A Visit to Hell was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in March. His son, Jaden Teague-Núňez was the soloist, the first time a steelpan soloist has ever performed with the CSO.
Liam and Jaden perform as TNTeague, and will play at the 50th anniversary of the Percussive Arts Society in November in Indianapolis.
Sam Handley, visiting professor of voice served as executive director of the Green Lake Festival of Music, and has been elected governor of the Central Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Yuko Asada, 2025 Fullbright Fellowship recipient
Yuko Asada, musical instrument technician, assistant with the NIU Steelband, and director of the Community School of the Arts Steelband has received a Fulbright Fellowship to Trinidad and Tobago this fall. Yuko is the first NIU staff member (non-faculty) to earn a Fulbright Fellowship.
Matthew Gaunt, instructor of tuba, performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Grand Park Music Festival Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Joffrey Ballet, Elgin Symphony, Chicago Brass Quintet and Third Coast Brass in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to downtown Chicago, and across Canada.
Andrew Glendening, director of the School of Music, served on the board of directors and was a presenter for the International Wind Ensemble Academy and Festival in Bangkok, Thailand.
