NIU Today

Looking to become more independent in your research? Interested in conducting a service learning project? Want to get funding for a study abroad trip or travel to a conference? If you answered yes to any of the questions, then consider applying to either Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research (USOAR) or the Student Engagement...

Music education and percussion performance major Alexis Lamb will present “MeiaMeia,” an NIU Honors capstone recital, with Projecto Arcomusical at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24. Friday’s performance takes place in the Recital Hall of the NIU Music Building, which is accessible to all. The music is a cycle of 12 berimbau chamber works, six composed...

The NIU Percussion Ensemble will perform an energetic program of both new and classic works for percussion, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, featuring several student chamber ensembles and guest artist Jeremy Muller. Known for showcasing compositions and musical genres from around the world, the NIU Percussion Ensemble will do just that with this program...

International Affairs has announced the recipients of this year’s Cobb Fellowships: Gregory Beyer of the School of Music, Andy Bruno of the Department of History, Mitch Irwin of the Department of Anthropology, and Thomas Pingel of the Department of Geography. Each fellow will receive a grant of $1,500 to facilitate research collaboration with an international...

Gregory Beyer, associate professor and director of Percussion Studies at NIU, has been selected for a Fulbright award to teach in Brazil. Beginning in August, Beyer will spend four months at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte as a visiting scholar. He will offer a symposium on contemporary performance practice of the...

The NIU Percussion Ensemble will take the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall stage at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, performing a wide variety of exciting modern works for percussion. Under the direction of NIU School of Music professors Greg Beyer and Michael Mixtacki, the concert will feature Western percussion compositions influenced from musical traditions around the...

The fifth NIU New Music Festival offers something for everyone. This year features guest artist ensemble the nief-norf Project, founded by NIU alumni Andy Bliss (2004) and Kerry O’Brien (2006). They are joined by incredibly talented colleague ensemble members Erin Walker Bliss, percussion; Ashley Walters, cello; and Christopher Adler, piano and composition. Adler’s music will...

The NIU Percussion Ensemble will take the stage in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at 8 p.m. Monday, April 28, to showcase the beauty and versatility of the keyboard percussion instrument family. The marimba, vibraphone and glockenspiel are central instruments in percussion solo and chamber repertoire. NIU Percussion Ensemble directors Gregory Beyer and Michael Mixtacki...

The Percussive Arts Society has honored its Illinois state affiliate with the 2013 outstanding chapter award. Greg Beyer, director of percussion studies in the NIU School of Music, is the current Illinois Percussive Arts Society president. As soon as Beyer began his role as president in 2010, he was eager to begin planning for overall...

Under the direction of professors Greg Beyer and Mike Mixtacki, the NIU Percussion Ensemble will perform its first of three concerts this year at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. The concert, which kicks off several days of events on campus surrounding the inauguration of NIU President Doug Baker, will...

There is something for everyone during this year’s NIU New Music Festival! Under the leadership of Artistic Director Gregory Beyer, and in collaboration with School of Music professors Geof Bradfield and Ryan Muncy, the festival will bring to campus two sets of guest artist ensembles and will offer three very different programs for audiences Tuesday,...

Students gathered Tuesday to showcase research projects that could someday lead to cleaner fuels, cures for cancer and perhaps even popularize an ancient South American musical instrument for modern audiences. All were part of Northern Illinois University’s fourth annual Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. The event featured the work of...