Maria Kurochkina, assistant professor of music and director of orchestras was recently profiled by Northern Public...
Music News Archives
Commencement profile – Khadija Nagi
Khadija Nagi, a DeKalb native, and now a proud graduate of the NIU School of Music is the subject of the fall 2025...
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...
Music’s Christopher Scanlon appearing in Chicago Shakespeare’s new musical “Illinoise”
Christopher Scanlon, assistant professor of trumpet and brass area coordinator in the NIU School of Music is performing in Illinoise, a musical opening at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre January 28 and running through February 18. Music and lyrics for the show were...
Just Dream It: Randiss “Wonder” Hopkins, ’17, inspires Nike’s global design community
Randiss "Wonder" Hopkins, '17, experienced a dream in his youth that propelled him to do backflips—literally. The dream and the events immediately following have led Hopkins to live and work with the mindset, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Hopkins recounts the...
Watch party for “Art and Wellness: Creating Intentional Spaces,” Jan. 17
Calling all art and wellness enthusiasts! Join us for a special watch party of "Art and Wellness: Creating Intentional Spaces," hosted by renowned artist Renee Fleming. Discover practical tips for transforming your surroundings into sanctuaries of creativity and...
World-renowned duo Christian Lindberg and Roland Pöntinen to perform at NIU, Jan. 16
For more than 40 years the world renowned duo of trombonist Christian Lindberg and pianist Roland Pöntinen have performed around the world and recorded more than 20 albums together. On Tuesday, January 16 they will perform in concert at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall...
NIU Jazztet featured on this year’s NIU Foundation Holiday Card
The Northern Illinois University Foundation's annual holiday e-card featured four special guests this year. The NIU Jazztet, made up of jazz studies majors Ryan Bills, Isiah Jones Jr. Sid Smith IV and Nat Lin appeared in the video message playing "Let It Snow" on the...
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...