This article originally appeared in a 2014 edition of Northern Now. by Mark McGowan They called it “Jazz Alley” – four...
Music Archives
Ron Modell leaves an incredible legacy that includes founding one of the nation’s finest jazz programs
Ron Modell, the founder of NIU's world renowned jazz program passed away, Tuesday, June 10 at his DeKalb home. An...
NIU Mariachi and Ballet Folklorico to perform at White Sox Mexican Heritage Night
NIU Mariachi and Ballet Folklórico have have been selected to perform at the Chicago White Sox Mexican Heritage Night,...
The Big Sing featuring NIU and local high school choirs returns to the Egyptian Theatre
An exciting choral concert that includes performances by professional, collegiate, and high school choirs returns to the Egyptian Theatre for a second straight year, Sunday, September 18 at 3 p.m. “The Big Sing” brings together the finest choral ensembles in DeKalb...
Banda NIU receives grant from the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation
Banda NIU, an ensemble in the NIU School of Music that honors the tradition of the great Bandas of the western Mexican state of Sinaloa, has received a program grant of nearly $5,000 from the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation to support music education outreach activities...
Google Doodle on steelpan has NIU tie-in
It's probably not a surprise that when you see an example of steelpan in popular culture that there's a tie-in to the NIU School of Music's Steelpan Studies program. Not only does NIU boast the oldest university steelband in the nation, but there has been an...
Five NIU music students selected for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy
Five students from the NIU School of Music have been selected as one of just four combo/small ensemble groups from around the nation to participate in this year's Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy in Aspen, Colorado. The NIU combo is named Northern Collective and is made up...
School of Music Professor Geof Bradfield named a City of Chicago Esteemed Artist for 2022
Geof Bradfield, professor jazz studies in the NIU School of Music, has been named one of the City of Chicago's Esteemed Artists for 2022. Bradfield was one of only four musicians to receive this recognition this year. The award includes $15,000 to use to support any...
Arman Sangalang recipient of fellowship from Jazz Institute of Chicago
Arman Sangalang, who just earned his MFA in Jazz Studies from the NIU School of Music is serving a two-year fellowship with the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Sangalang, a saxophonist and composer, received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University earned the Jazz...
CVPA alums feature prominently in Netflix’s “Senior Year”
The new Netflix movie Senior Year features Rebel Wilson playing Stephanie, who was injured in a cheerleading stunt when she was 17 only to wake from a coma 20 years later and insisting on returning to finish out her senior year of high school and attend her prom. Mary...
School of Music’s Gregory Beyer and percussion alumni featured on PBS’s “Now Hear This”
Gregory Beyer, Professor and Director of Percussion Studies in the NIU School of Music and percussion alumni Ethan Martin and Noel Streacker were recently featured on PBS' "Now Hear This." The three are part of Arcomusical, made up of Beyer and NIU Percussion graduate...
May 1 NIU Philharmonic concert a tribute to Jan Bach
The Northern Illinois University Philharmonic Orchestra is dedicating their upcoming concert to Dr. Jan Bach, an award-winning composer, musician and educator who passed away in 2020. The concert is Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the...