Department of Music - NMU Events and Announcements

Department of Music

The NMU Chamber Ensemble, a string sextet, will perform as an opener for the NMU Orchestra, performing selections from two Mozart Quintets (No. 2 and No. 9) as well as a Canzon by Giovanni Gabrieli!

The NMU Orchestra will then feature the composer Jean Sibelius by performing two of his works: Finlandia and Andante Festivo.

This concert will also feature vocal faculty, Keri Lee Pierson, as a soloist in "Goodnight Moon" (music written by Eric Whitacre with lyrics from the famous book of the same title).

The NMU Orchestra will also be performing the last movement of Antonin Dvorak's "New World" Symphony!

This is one not to miss!

Department of Music

The NMU Trombone Choir is back!  Join us on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 7:30 pm for an evening of low brass.  We hope to see you at Reynolds Recital Hall!

Department of Music

Join us on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 7:30 pm for a night of band! This concert will feature multiple guest artists including Dr. Christopher Schoelen from NMU, Dr. Timothy Oliver from University of Mississippi and Dr. Derek Jenkins from Missouri Western State University.  Repertoire includes works by Ticheli, Boysen, Chance, and a world premiere by Derek Jenkins!

This concert is extra special as it is the final concert for 19 incredible musicians who are wrapping up their time with the NMU Bands. These seniors are performing their final concert with the group before graduating or student teaching in the fall.

Department of Music

The NMU Percussion Ensemble has been rehearsing all semester! They are excited to welcome Scott Pellegrom, a drum coach and clinician who specializes in creativity and improvisational techniques, to their program!

Join us for this free concert on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 3:00 pm!

Department of Music

The NMU Opera Theatre Workshop will present scenes from Street Scene, an American opera by Kurt Weill, on Thursday, April 2, 2026. This performance features student performers alongside collaborative pianist Father Ryan Ford.

The NMU Opera Theatre Workshop is a one-credit course that meets on Thursdays. 

Department of Music

The Department of Music Faculty is pleased to announce the roster of performers for the 2026 Performance Scholarship Competition!

Ava Brege, mezzo-soprano
Claire Boyle, percussion
Simon Claybaker, piano
Liam Coenen, alto saxophone
Kaitlyn Levine, trumpet
Jessica Schrader, soprano

To be eligible for this competition, students must be pursuing a major in the NMU Department of Music, be enrolled in lessons, and be nominated by their instructor.

Scholarship awards will be given to first, second, and third place competitors in amounts of $1000, $750 and $500.

Join us for this friendly competition on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 PM in Reynolds Recital Hall!

Department of Music

The NMU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will present "Musical Perspectives and Monumental Moments" on Monday, February 23, at 7:30 pm.  Please join us in Reynolds Recital Hall for their first concert of 2026!

Department of Music

The NMU Orchestra is excited for its annual Children's Concert!  

The selections the orchestra will perform include How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell, Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest by Hans Zimmer, and Randy Newman's Ma Belle Evangeline from The Princess and the Frog, arranged by Anna Zepke.

This is a free event for families and friends, in dedication to our younger members in the community!

Department of Music

The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone.

We are very excited to host The Westerlies on the NMU campus as part of a collaboration with the NMU Jazz Festival.  Their Thursday evening Siril Concert will also serve as the opening concert of the 2026 NMU Jazz Festival.  The members of the ensemble will serve as clinicians for visiting high school and middle school bands attending the Festival, and they will also be featured individually as guest soloists with NMU Jazz Ensembles during the Friday evening Jazz Festival Concert!

Please visit The Westerlies' website to learn more about this fantastic ensemble: https://www.westerliesmusic.com/

Department of Music

NMU Piano students will share favorite pieces as you head into Finals Week. Choose a comfy auditorium seat, or bring a blanket to relax on the stage. Catch a piece or two, or stay for the entirety!