Khadija Nagi, a DeKalb native, and now a proud graduate of the NIU School of Music is the subject of the fall 2025...
Music News 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...
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...
CVPA announces first six Simpson Schatzle Fellows
NIU's College of Visual and Performing Arts has announced the first six recipients of a fellowship that will provide financial support and recognition for some of the university's most promising graduating students in the arts. The Simpson Schatzle Fellowship will...
Ethan Cowburn selected for The Kennedy Center’s Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program
Ethan Cowburn, a soon-to-gradate M.F.A. student in percussion performance in the NIU School of Music, was chosen as just one of five students in the world for the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC this summer. The...
Overcon Duo wins annual School of Music Chamber Ensemble Competition
The Annual NIU School of Music Chamber Ensemble Competition was held, Saturday, April 5 in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Ten ensembles competed and the overall winner was the Overcon Duo of Reilly Farrell on violin and Ben Gilbert on violoncello. Three other groups...
World Music celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long festival and symposium
One of the most iconic programs at Northern Illinois University is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The School of Music boasts one of the most diverse, comprehensive and accomplished world music programs in the nation, and a week long celebration kicks off...
US Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus to perform at School of Music, April 6
The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus will perform a free concert, Sunday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the NIU Music Building. The theme of the concert is Sea to Shining Sea. The United States Army Field Band from...