Khadija Nagi, a DeKalb native, and now a proud graduate of the NIU School of Music is the subject of the fall 2025...
Music Archives
In Passing: Ron Modell and more
by Antonio Garcia Jazz education lost a giant in the field with the passing on June 10 of my friend and colleague Ron...
An open window led Zachary Good to the clarinet and to NIU
A familiarity with the school and a desire to teach music at a state university made NIU the perfect place for new...
Commencement profile: Sid Smith IV, School of Music
Sid Smith IV, who earned his Master of Music in jazz studies from the NIU School of Music in December was featured with a video during the Graduate Commencement Ceremony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtclDtUjy0 Congratulations to Sid and to all of the fall 2023...
Avalon String Quartet and NIU School of Music announce return of Graduate String Quartet in Residence
The Avalon String Quartet and the Northern Illinois University School of Music are excited to relaunch the Graduate String Quartet in Residence, a fully-funded opportunity for graduate study at NIU. Quartet members may pursue the MM degree or a Performers Certificate,...
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...