The NIU Music Building comes alive with music and excitement as the NIU Community School of the Arts (CSA) celebrates PERFORMATHON 2017. All community members are invited to enjoy live music performances, shop for music related items, view a student art show, try delicious bake-sale treats and enter to win raffle/silent auction prizes on Saturday, April 22. All funds raised benefit the NIU Community School scholarship programs.
More than 60 Community School music students will perform on the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall Stage at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. CSA students have collected pledges from family and friends who support their playing, singing or artwork. Local businesses also support PERFORMATHON through advertising in the event’s program booklet and by donating prizes for the raffle. Prizes this year include a custom-painted violin, season tickets for the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Wolves and Rockford IceHogs game tickets, and much more.
Musicians and music fans can browse and purchase pre-owned sheet music, CDs, vinyl, musical instruments, accessories and other music-related items at the Incredible Music Swap. An art exhibit with artworks contributed by the Art Express class students and a café-style bake sale featuring drinks and home-baked items will also be featured.
Since 1993, more than $100,000 has been raised by PERFORMATHON efforts, and 800 local students have received scholarships supporting their continued music and art studies. The CSA offers year-round private lessons, music ensembles, and group classes in music and art for children and adults of all ages.
“PERFORMATHON provides a great opportunity for everyone in our community school to get together, and for the public to hear so many wonderful performances. It’s going to be a fun day and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Josh Anderson, director of the NIU Community School of the Arts.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 10 a.m. and activities run through mid-afternoon. Donations will be taken at the door, made online go.niu.edu/performathondonate or mailed to NIU Community School of the Arts, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115. Make checks payable to the NIU Foundation.
For more information, call 815-753-1450 or visit PERFORMATHON.
