Doug Bratt, ’01, M.M. ’02, found that NIU was more than his second act; it was the encore that brought his passion...
Music News Archives
Northern Public Radio profile on School of Music’s Maria Kurochkina
Maria Kurochkina, assistant professor of music and director of orchestras was recently profiled by Northern Public...
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...
CVPA Day at Sat., Sept. 23 home football game
NIU Vice President/Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier has invited all of the students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts to be special guests at the NIU home football game, September 23 versus Tulsa. Tailgating starts at 9 a.m. in The Yard to...
Goodman Theatre offers $10 college night for Lucha Teotl
Goodman Theatre in Chicago offers periodic college nights, where students with a valid college ID can purchase tickets for special events for just $10 that include a production, a pre-show reception with all you can eat pizza and soda and a discussion with a member of...
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....
Brian Penkrot performs at Mission Creek Festival with BCJsPs
Brian Penkrot, instructor of music theory, aural skills and composition in the NIU School of Music performed at the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City, Iowa, April 6-8. The festival annually brings together authors, publishers and musicians from across the nation....
NIU Steelband celebrates 50th anniversary with concert April 16
The world-famous NIU Steelband celebrates 50 years with an anniversary concert, Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. in the NIU Music Building's Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students and free for NIU students. The concert will feature the NIU...