Reggie Thomas is retiring after ten years as professor of music and head of jazz studies at Northern Illinois...
Music Archives
Music’s Ben Wahlund earns NIU Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award
From citing his keen interest in connecting with his students, to his love for, and talent with, music to his ability...
Encountering a Global Sounding World – 2024 World Music Festival
The theme of this year's NIU School of Music World Music Series is "Encountering a Global Sounding World." The...
Spring Percussion Ensemble concert features premiere of Russell Hartenberger’s “REQUIEM”
The NIU Percussion Ensemble's spring 2024 concert features the world premiere of Russell Hartenberger’s REQUIEM, a major new multi-movement work for nine percussionists and five vocalists, as well as Steve Reich’s 1971 minimalist masterwork, DRUMMING. The concert is...
NIU spring Steelband concert features special guests and recurring favorites
The Northern Illinois University Steelband program presents its spring 2024 concert on Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m. (CST). The event will be held at Boutell Memorial Concert Hallin NIU's Music Building and will feature the world renowned NIU Steelband (Liam Teague,...
Ron Carter leaves a legacy as a distinguished educator and musician
Ron Carter, professor emeritus in the NIU School of Music, directed the NIU Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Studies program for 23 years, passed away, February 24. During his time at NIU, Carter helped grow and diversify the Jazz Studies program and earn its ranking as...
Follow the live stream of the NIU Concert Band Festival, Feb. 23
The Northern Illinois University Concert Band Festival hosted by the Phantom Regiment Friday, February 23 in the Music Building at NIU. A live stream of the event is available at niu.edu/music/performances. Performances begin at 9 a.m. Phantom Regiment has hosted a...
Theatre and Dance hosts Ukrainian Play Reading project for third straight year
For the third year, the NIU School of Theatre and Dance is participating in the Ukrainian Play Reading Project. On Saturday, February 24 they will host a live reading of "Bad Roads" by Natal'ya Vorozhbit, in the O'Connell Theatre in NIU's Stevens Building from noon to...
Music’s Christopher Scanlon appearing in Chicago Shakespeare’s new musical “Illinoise”
Christopher Scanlon, assistant professor of trumpet and brass area coordinator in the NIU School of Music is performing in Illinoise, a musical opening at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre January 28 and running through February 18. Music and lyrics for the show were...
Just Dream It: Randiss “Wonder” Hopkins, ’17, inspires Nike’s global design community
Randiss "Wonder" Hopkins, '17, experienced a dream in his youth that propelled him to do backflips—literally. The dream and the events immediately following have led Hopkins to live and work with the mindset, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Hopkins recounts the...
World-renowned duo Christian Lindberg and Roland Pöntinen to perform at NIU, Jan. 16
For more than 40 years the world renowned duo of trombonist Christian Lindberg and pianist Roland Pöntinen have performed around the world and recorded more than 20 albums together. On Tuesday, January 16 they will perform in concert at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall...
NIU Jazztet featured on this year’s NIU Foundation Holiday Card
The Northern Illinois University Foundation's annual holiday e-card featured four special guests this year. The NIU Jazztet, made up of jazz studies majors Ryan Bills, Isiah Jones Jr. Sid Smith IV and Nat Lin appeared in the video message playing "Let It Snow" on the...