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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

Cara Collins, director for the Monona Grove High School Jazz Ensemble II, conducts for the band to decrescendo during a section of “La Noche Del Burrito Picante” by Mike Dana. Myles Franklin-Smith, NIU’s clinician for Monona Grove High School, commented that the band stayed together well for the larger ensemble size but could have increased the tempo for the songs to engage the audience. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Young musicians unite to perform in Jazz Day

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | February 7, 2025

The College of Visual and Performing Arts held their annual Jazz Day event where high school jazz bands and their directors from all over the Midwest performed for students from other high schools, parents and the faculty of the NIU School of Music.  Roosevelt...

Students converse among themselves after the Hasty Measures Concert’s conclusion. Hasty Measures was a music event held by the Composition Club which gave composers 24 hours to compose a piece before assigning those pieces to performers to learn in 24 hours. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Hasty Measures concert challenges musicians

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | February 3, 2025

Music isn’t usually written in a day, but the students of the Composition Club decided to challenge the notion by doing just that. Held at 6 p.m. in the Music Building, the Hasty Measures concert gave composers 24 hours to write their songs on Friday,...

The Chinese Music Ensemble smiles for a group photo after their performance. The Ensemble performed in the Founders Memorial Library to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

Chinese Ensemble celebrates Lunar New Year

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | January 30, 2025

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Chinese Music Ensemble from the World Music Program headed down to the Founders Memorial Library to perform.  The Chinese Music Ensemble performed several songs in the Sounds of Celebration concert at 4 p.m. Wednesday...

Conductor Tom Bough and the NIU Wind Ensemble take a bow after performing "Soul to Soul." The NIU School of Music performed several pieces of music created by Black composers to celebrate Black History Month. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

NIU Wind Ensemble celebrates Black composers

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | January 29, 2025

The NIU Wind Ensemble performed pieces from Black composers at the Music of Black Composers Showcase.  From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m, the NIU Wind Ensemble blew the audience away with their performance in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building....

Mac Miller on stage at The Meadows Music & Arts Festival 2017, On January 17 Mac Miller second posthumous album dropped (Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for The Meadows)

Mac Miller’s newest album releases after his passing

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | January 20, 2025

The wait is over for fans of Mac Miller as Friday the Mac Miller estate released his long awaited and second posthumous album “Balloonerism.” This album was one of the most difficult listens I’ve had. Recorded over 10 years ago, this album gives...

A graphic shows a "Holiday hits for hot cocoa nights" playlist. Here are the Northern Star's top picks for holiday songs to listen to this season. (Northern Star Graphic)

Holiday hits for hot cocoa nights

By Northern Star Staff | December 8, 2024

Brynn’s picks “Last Christmas” – Wham! “The Christmas Waltz” – She & Him  “Merry Christmas Baby” – Mason Ramsey While this Christmas tune is upbeat, the lyrics tell of holiday heartbreak. Wham! tells the story...

Kendrick Lamar rests against a car on the album cover for "GNX." This release is Lamar's sixth studio album. (Dave Free via AP)

Kendrick Lamar exceeds expectations with GNX album

By Edison Miller, Assistant Sports Editor | December 6, 2024

Kendrick Lamar surprised the hip-hop world on Nov. 22 by releasing his sixth studio album “GNX”.  Kendrick was my “most listened to” artist of 2024, putting me in the top 0.5% of listeners – according to Spotify Wrapped, at least. With that...

Jonathan Shelby stands behind the Weekend Rundown logo. This weekend, check out the School of Theatre and Dance's Fall Dance Concert. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Weekend Rundown: Music and a romantic ballet this weekend

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | November 21, 2024

This Weekend Writeup features events such as romantic concerts, the finale of the World Music Festival, an upcoming holiday market and more.  TREINTA Y TRES: LATINX ORAL HISTORIES - LATINO CENTER Time and Date: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday  Location:...

Kanjana Thepboriuk, professor of Thai Language and Thai Linguistics, introduces students of her program that danced along to the Thai Music Ensemble’s performance of “Serng Ponglang” on Tuesday. “Serng Ponglang” is a traditional Thai Folk Dance song and was performed by the Ponglang Ensemble. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Embrace culture with Thai Music Ensemble

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | November 21, 2024

Staff, students and community members gathered as piercing notes filled the air from a khene, a traditional Thai instrument, played by ensemble director Chamni Sripraram. Around 20 to 30 people attended the performance at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Recital...

The NIU Jazz Ensemble performs in front of an audience Tuesday night. The NIU Jazz Ensemble performed several songs from various jazz artists. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

NIU Jazz Ensemble brings harmony through jazz classics

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | November 20, 2024

The halls of the Music Building radiated a soothing, harmonic melody from a concoction of trombones, saxophones, pianos and other instruments Tuesday night.  The NIU Jazz Ensemble performed eight songs in their large ensemble concert from 7 p.m. to...

The Chinese Music Ensemble prepares to take a bow after performing the Taiwanese folk song, "Peach Blossom Ferry Crossing." The World Music program performed several pieces of East Asian music in a concert Wednesday. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

World Music Program delivers an explosion of East Asian music

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | November 14, 2024

The members of the World Music Program delivered an astounding display of East Asian music Wednesday.  At 5 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Building, members of the World Music Program and guest performers played various pieces of East Asian...

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs to the audience to kick off the concert on Wednesday night in the Boutell Concert Hall. The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra performed several spooky songs in celebration of Halloween. (Nia Jackson | Northern Star)

Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra delivers terrifying tunes

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 30, 2024

On the eve of Halloween, the Boutell Concert Hall overflowed with brightly dressed spectators and terrifying tunes of the past.  The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra held their annual Halloween concert at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and played...

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