NIU Today

Snare drums snap, bells ting-a-ling and flutes whistle like birds. But why does one instrument sound any different than another? And how do objects produce sound in the first place? NIU alum Andrew Morrison has spent his career using physics to study these questions. At the next STEM Café, he will present “Good Vibrations: The...

The NIU Steelband often conjures up fast-paced rhythmic songs that make the audience want to dance. “While what we do is extremely demanding and requires a great deal of discipline, dedication and practice, we also encourage an atmosphere of fun,” said Liam Teague, co-director of the ban with Cliff Alexis. “So it is quite common...

Liam Teague, head of steelpan studies and an associate professor in the NIU School of Music, was named the 2014 Laureate in Arts and Letters by the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards For Excellence. Here is the speech Teague gave May 10 at the Trinidad & Tobago’s National Academy of the Performing Arts. It has...

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents its spring concert, “Shostakovich and Steel,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the NIU Music Building. At its 37th season finale, the KSO will perform “Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96,” and “Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93,” by Dmitri...

The NIU Steelband, under the direction of Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, will presents its spring 2014 concert at 3 p.m. Sunday April 13, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the NIU Music Building. The event will commemorate the ensemble’s 40th year of existence and will be a celebration of the past, present and...

Liam Teague, head of steelpan studies and an associate professor in the NIU School of Music, has been named the 2014 Laureate in Arts and Letters by the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards For Excellence. Launched in 2005 by the ANSA McAL Foundation, the awards are the English-speaking Caribbean’s leading recognition program in arts, sciences...

NIU’s Cliff Alexis, steel drum builder and tuner and co-director of the world-renowned NIU Steel Band, is among four prominent percussionists chosen for induction to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. The induction of the quartet, all important figures who have shaped the percussion world through their innovations, performances and scholarly work, takes place...

Sycamore will paint the town red and black from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, in support of NIU Night. Visitors are encouraged to wear Huskie gear, meet NIU athletes and get their autographs, participate in mini-sport games and have their pictures taken with Victor E. Huskie. NIU STEM Outreach also will provide hands-on...

The CSA Steelband will perform at 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the Recital Hall of the NIU Music Building. This free event is open to the public. The group will perform a variety of tunes that members have been rehearsing during the semester. Acclaimed musician and teacher Yuko Asada directs the ensemble. Pieces to be performed...

The NIU Steelband, under the direction of Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, and the All University Steelband, conducted by graduate students Josanne Francis, Barry Mannette, Khion De Las and Khan Cordice, will present their spring 2013 concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7. The concert takes place inside the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the...

NIU’s Community School of the Arts is offering spring classes in guitar, steelpan and ukulele. The CSA Steelband meets Monday evenings from 7 to 7:55 p.m., beginning Jan. 28. Students ages 14 to adult learn to play the steelpan in a fun ensemble setting. With a sound like no other, this instrument lends itself to...

Liam Teague, NIU’s “Paganini of the Steelpan,” was named today as a winner of a silver Hummingbird Medal from his native Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. An associate professor of steelpan in the School of Music and co-director of the NIU Steelband, Teague is in good company as his homeland confers its highest accolades on...