The NIU School of Music is proud to present the 2026 World Music Festival, a five-day immersive journey through the...
Music Archives
NIU Faculty Composers’ Concert features world premiere
The NIU Composers' Concert, Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. in the NIU Recital Hall features the world premiere of David...
NIU Opera Theatre features “Iphigénia en Aulide” March 27 and 29
The Northern Illinois University School of Music presents its annual spring opera, Christoph Willibald...
Avalon String Quartet to perform Narongrit Dhamabutra’s “Quintet For the Spirits of ASEAN”
Narongrit Dhamabutra, a renowned composer and academic will be on campus, Friday, September 12 for a lecture and a special performance of his composition, "Quintet For the Spirits of ASEAN." At noon, Professor Dhamabutra will deliver the lecture, "Integrating...
School of Music faculty news updates
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...
Pianos, digital pianos and violins for public purchase, August 14-16
The NIU School of Music is partnering with the non-profit organization, the Rockley Family Foundation to offer musical instruments at a significant discount from retail prices, August 14-16. The Rockley Family Foundation is dedicated to the support of music education,...
The big noise from the Bronx
This article originally appeared in a 2014 edition of Northern Now. by Mark McGowan They called it “Jazz Alley” – four swingin’ groups from the NIU School of Music, stationed throughout the main floor of the Holmes Student Center, jamming for the passersby. Part of...
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 accomplished musician, Modell joined NIU's School of Music faculty in 1969 and quickly created the jazz program and established the NIU Jazz Ensemble as...
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, Friday, June 6. The NIU groups will perform during the break between the bottom of the third and top of the fourth innings. Game time is 6:40 p.m. as...
More Amor, featuring Bobby Broom reaches #1 on Jazz Week’s charts
The album More Amor, a tribute to Wes Montgomery by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and featuring Bobby Broom, reached number one on Jazz Week's North American Jazz Radio chart this summer, and in total spent more than 18 weeks on the chart. The recording has been hailed...
Commencement profile – Jalen Charles, Master of Music
Congratulations to all of the spring 2025 College of Visual and Performing Arts graduates! Jalen Charles, who earned his master of music performer's certificate was profiled in the graduate ceremony. Jalen talked about his love of the steelpan, growing up in a family...
Commencement profile – Chanel Antoshin, Music Education and Flute Performance
Congratulations to all of the 2025 spring graduates from the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts. The School of Music's Chanel Antoshin was profiled during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Chanel earned her degree in both music education and flute...