On January 10, 1990 the NIU Jazz Ensemble (now known as the NIU Jazz Orchestra) played a concert at the iconic Rialto...
Music Archives
Music’s Bobby Broom to host a new jazz program on WNIJ 89.5
Beginning in June 2024, NIU Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar and Jazz Studies Bobby Broom will host a new original...
Commencement profile: Chih-I Hsiao, Master of Music
The renowned World Music program at NIU is what drew Chih-I Hsaio to DeKalb after earning his degree in Music Theory...
Four NIU alumni marched in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
NIU alumni Michael Embrey, Jake Walker, Annette Hackbarth and Bernard "BJ" Long Jr. marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, November 23. They were part of the 408-member Band Directors Marching Band which features band directors from all 50...
NIU welcomes musician, dancer and storyteller Jen Shyu for interdisciplinary residence program
Collaborating with Graduate Colloquium Program, Honors College, Asian American Resource Center and Asian American Studies, the School of Music is excited to welcome performing artist, award-winning musician, dancer, and storyteller Jen Shyu to NIU for an...
Composer Shawn Okpebholo to premiere new composition with NIU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
Critically acclaimed, award-winning composer Shawn E. Okpebholo is working with the NIU School of Music for the world premiere of his new composition, "Gale and Zephyr" at a joint concert featuring the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony, Tuesday, November 28 at 7 p.m. in...
Enjoy upcoming performances by the School of Music in Chicago
NIU's Golden Hour Showcase series opens Oct. 12 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts Join the Northern Illinois University School of Music for the first of their performances at Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts Golden Hour Concert Series, Thursday, October 12...
NIU presents 23-24 International Guitar Series
Once again, NIU will present a series of recitals featuring some of the most talented guitarists in the world. The 2023-2024 Northern Illinois University International Guitar Series begins, Sunday, September 24 with Waller and Maxwell Guitar Duo, at 3 p.m. in the...
Three from School of Music receive Illinois Arts Council Fellowships
Three members of the NIU School of Music were honored with 2023 Artist Fellowship Awards from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Liam Teague, NIU Board of Trustees Professor, Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor and Head of Steelpan Studies and...
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 of Music alumna Marybeth Kurnat's new piece debuting at the PREMIER|Project Festival in Irvine, California, June 27-June 30. Kurnat earned her degree...
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 Kirby Fellis, who earned his MFA in Jazz Performance from the NIU School of Music was featured during commencement ceremonies over the weekend. ...
School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance collaborate on “The Rite of Spring”
The NIU Philharmonic Orchestra will perform selections from Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" at their spring concert and they will be joined for those selections by students from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. The concert is Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m....