Music News Archives

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...
Brian Penkrot performs at Mission Creek Festival with BCJsPs

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....

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