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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Gallery: Horn seniors present their recital, ‘Defiant Hearts’

Totus Tuus Keely
The audience watches Noah Kocsis (right) and accompanying pianist Hyounkyoung “Joy” Kim perform “Suite for horn and piano” composed by Alec Wilder on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. Noah Kocsis performed three pieces as the solo hornist during the performance. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
By Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor
Nov 17, 2025
Shaelynn McCabe (right) and Noah Kocsis take the stage from stage right to begin their senior horn recital titled “Defiant Hearts” on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. The performance began at 6 p.m. and featured eight pieces. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Shae McCabe performs “The Great Migration” composed by Gina Gillie on french horn during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. “Defiant Hearts” was a joint senior horn recital by McCabe and Noah Kocsis. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Noah Kocsis performs “Appalachia” composed by Lydia Lowery Busler while joined by accompanying pianist Hyounkyoung “Joy” Kim during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. Busler described her piece as a “study of life itself” and “the performer makes it their own.” (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Noah Kocsis (from left), Carmen Houde, JonLuca LaPorte and Shae McCabe perform “Six quarters for four horns” composed by Nikolai Nikolayevich Tcherepnin during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. Kocsis and McCabe performed three of their eight pieces together for their joint senior horn recital. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Shae McCabe bows to the audience after the conclusion of her performance of “Fantasy or Horn” composed by Malcolm Arnold during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. The next senior recital in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall is Sarah Lang’s saxophone recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Water and snacks are set up for attendees of the senior horn recital, “Defiant Hearts,” for Noah Kocsis and Shae McCabe on Friday in the lobby of the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. The next performance in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall is by the NIU Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. on Monday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Shae McCabe performs “Fantasy or Horn” composed by Malcolm Arnold during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. Shae McCabe was the solo hornist for two of the eight songs performed on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Noah Kocsis performs “Suite for horn and piano” composed by Alec Wilder on Friday during the “Defiant Hearts” senior horn recital in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. The performance of the suite featured the first, third and fourth movements, “Danse Quixotic,” “Song” and “Epilogue.” (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Noah Kocsis (left) and Shaelynn McCabe perform “Cloudbreak” composed by James Naigus during their senior horn recital on Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building. The performance took 75 minutes with a 10-minute intermission halfway through. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
About the Contributor
Totus Tuus Keely
Totus Tuus Keely, Editor in Chief

Totus Tuus Keely is a junior from Ottawa, Illinois, majoring in mechatronics engineering. He began as a photographer in the spring 2024 semester. Outside of his busy class schedule, Totus enjoys photographing sports and capturing the emotions of fans and players. He also enjoys performing in the World Music Program and the NIU Pep Band, as well as constantly expanding his musical taste.

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