Three members of the NIU School of Music were honored with 2023 Artist Fellowship Awards from the Illinois Arts...
Music Archives
Music alumna Marybeth Kurnat’s new NIU inspired work to debut at PREMIERE|Project Festival
A chance encounter with another choral composer in southern Ohio set off a chain of events that will result in School...
Graduate Profile: Kirby Fellis, MFA in Jazz Performance
Congratulations to all of our graduates. We look forward to seeing all of the great things you do. This profile on...
NIU School of Music well represented on Corn Fest Community Stage
Several ensembles from the Northern Illinois University School of Music will be performing on the Community Stage at this year's DeKalb Corn Fest. The Community Stage is located in the newly renovated (and air conditioned!) Egyptian Theatre. There is no entry fee and...
Music Ed alum Eric Caliendo shares “The Chicago Experience”
When Eric Caliendo, ‘91, earned his bachelor’s in music education, it was no surprise when he began a career as a music teacher in Schaumburg, Illinois. Today, as the band director at Jane Addams Jr. High School in Schaumburg, Caliendo has been teaching in the same...
CVPA’s Christopher Scanlon joins Chicago based, award winning chamber ensemble, Axiom Brass
Christopher Scanlon, assistant professor of trumpet in the NIU School of Music has joined the award-winning ensemble Axiom Brass. Described as “exceptional ambassadors for classical music” and “innovative programmers” Axiom Brass pairs newer works by composers such as...
Graduation Stories: Izabella Gieron, BM Music Education and Violin Performance, independent study orchestral conducting
Izabella Gieron was one of a brand new group of NIU alumni to be able to attend an in-person commencement ceremony. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Violin Performance with independent study in orchestral conducting. She was also featured in the...
NIU awards steelpan innovator Anthony Williams an honorary doctorate in human letters
One of the most unique and iconic aspects of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University, and the university as a whole, is the success and prominence of its Steelpan program. It is fitting that a man who has had both a direct and indirect influence will have...
Huskie Spotlight: Matthew Kiser
Matthew Kiser Bachelor's in Music Performance, emphasis in Steelpan Studies What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path? As a kid, my interests were always evolving and changing. I always was...
NIU Philharmonic Orchestra joins Rockford Symphony Orchestra for “The Orchestra Sings” online
Due to the pandemic, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra's annual Youth Concert for students in grades three through five was not able to proceed “as usual.” However, the RSO wanted to find a way to offer the concert because it is a valuable experience for the students...
Huskie Spotlight: Izabella Gieron
Izabella Gieron Spring 2021 graduate, Bachelor's in Music Education and Violin Performance, Independent Study in Orchestral Conducting "I decided to study these majors because I want to be able to share my knowledge and passion for music through playing, teaching, and...
An internship provided Izabella Gieron the conducting experience she’s long waited for
Izabella Gieron knew she wanted to be a conductor since high school, and as she completes her degree in the NIU School of Music, an internship this year with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) has given her the chance to get hands-on experience. “My high...