Tag: NIU School of Music
NIU School of Music Professor and Director of Percussion Studies Greg Beyer and retired School of Music faculty member Robert Fleisher are featured on “Long Roll: A Tribute to Composer-Percussionist Michael Manion” by Albany Records. The release features a solo malletKAT composition of Fleisher’s written specifically for Manion. The project is a collaboration between the NIU and...
A distinctive part of the soundtrack for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the steel drum on the music that played during the movie’s scenes on the planet of Canto Bight. That influence, it turns out, can be traced back directly to NIU’s Liam Teague, professor of Music and head of Steelpan Studies. Legendary composer John Williams,...
Jui-Ching Wang, an associate professor of world music and music education in the NIU School of Music, has been awarded a U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar Award for 2016-17 to Indonesia. This award will enable her to carry out a research project in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Wang will spend 10 months studying traditional Javanese children’s singing games,...
For musicians, perfecting their craft is a lifelong symphony. Those best prepared to hit the right notes are dedicated, lifelong learners. Cheng-Hou Lee, associate professor in the NIU School of Music, sets the stage for his students’ success. “I tailor what I tell each student. I try to find the most efficient way for them...
Paul Kassel, professor of theatre arts at the State University of New York at New Paltz, will become dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts. Members of the NIU Board of Trustees endorsed his appointment April 14 following a national search. Kassel begins work July 1 in DeKalb. NIU Executive Vice President...
The New NIU Jazz Ensemble, formerly known as the NIU Jazz Lab Band, directed by Rodrigo Villanueva, is booked to perform this week at the House Café in DeKalb and next week at the legendary Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Shows at the House, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., are scheduled for 8 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday,...
NIU’s 2016 World Music Festival is approaching. The NIU Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, directed by Omar al Musfi and guest artist Issa Bolous, will kick off this year’s festival at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the NIU School of Music’s Recital Hall. Musicians will perform a wide array of traditional and contemporary Arabic and...
American composer Timothy Takach is in residence at the NIU School of Music Choral Department for the next three days. During his residency, Takach will present an all-school convocation to talk about entrepreneurship as professional musician, meet with students in conducting classes, present a seminar for composition students and work with the NIU choirs in...
Making it as a musician can be tough, no matter how talented. But some NIU musicians have used their resources and skills to find a niche in the television market. Dan Lopatka, Carol Kalvonjian and Mel Washington are talented Chicago-area music graduates from NIU who are often on set together to perform on the TV show...
The NIU School of Music will host an “Organ Extravaganza” this spring, beginning this month and continuing with three concerts in April. Matthew Doran will perform Samuel Barber’s “Tocatta Festiva” with the NIU Philharmonic at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. Organ recitals resume in April: Monday, April 4 Joshua Ring, Performer’s Certificate Recital 6:30 p.m....
NIU alumna Lori Henriques will be sitting among famous musicians at this year’s 58th annual Grammy Awards on Monday because she is a star in her own right as one of five nominated for Best Children’s Album. Her album, “How Great Can This Day Be,” by Human Puppy Records, has already been chosen as a Parents’...
Cor Cantiamo, a professional ensemble in residence in the NIU School of Music, will travel to Woodstock to collaborate Sunday, Feb. 21, with the choral students from Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools as a part of Cor Cantiamo’s Masterworks Project. “Working with Dr. Johnson and Cor Cantiamo is a new experience for the students...