Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts
At Northern Michigan University, we recognize that artists of all kinds make a unique contribution to our society through cultural enhancement and enrichment. We prepare our students not only as professionals but also as ambassadors for creativity, diversity and new perspectives in the workplace, in the community, in the classroom and in the day-to-day lives of all those who benefit from their skill and are touched by their talent. Future generations will be the ones to develop startling new concepts and voices that will help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. It is our responsibility to expose our students to a wide range of ideas, challenges and expectations from as many perspectives as possible. Music, in particular, through understanding and appreciation, offers unique opportunities to articulate deeper meanings and discoveries beyond the constraints of language and cultural traditions. That is why music as a discipline and expression has a long tradition at NMU.
That is also why it is incumbent upon NMU to sustain and expand its ability to bring new worlds of music to our campus for the edification, enlightenment and enjoyment of our students and the general public.
The Siril Endowment for the Music Arts is designed to do exactly that by providing funds to establish and maintain a visiting artist program directed by the NMU Music Department and the funds to present performances that expose students to a wide variety of music genres. Each of these new endeavors will be integrated into the curriculum for maximum impact.
2026-27 Series Schedule
- Wed.-Fri., June 24-26 - North Coast Dance Festival
- Friday, October 16 - Cantus (vocal ensemble)
- Friday, February 5 - Cerus Quartet (saxophone ensemble)
These events are all brought to you by the Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts.
Scroll down to learn more about all of these artists!
North Coast Dance Festival 2025
- Wed.-Fri., July 23-25
- Forest Roberts Theatre
- Detailed event and ticket information can be found on the North Coast Dance Festival Website
- Tickets (tickets.nmu.edu)
Join us for the 5th Annual North Coast Dance Festival, a spectacular celebration of dance! Professional dancers from across the country will gather alongside the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company for engaging educational experiences and mesmerizing performances. Don't miss this unforgettable event filled with grace, talent, and artistry.
Cantus
- Friday, October 16 @ 7:30pm
- Reynolds Recital Hall
Tickets (tickets.nmu.edu)
- General Admission $15
- Youth (18 and under) - Free
- NMU Students - Free
PLUS: One additional event!
- Free Masterclass on Friday, October 16 @ 1pm in Reynolds Recital Hall
Now in its 32nd season, the “engaging” (New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Washington Post has hailed the Cantus sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power” and refers to the “spontaneous grace” of its music making. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the group nothing short of “exquisite.”
As one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has come to prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process, creating programs that give voice to shared human experiences. As the Minneapolis Star Tribune has written, “The main hallmark of the Cantus' sound has always been sheer quality and an unbroken belief in the special way that vocal music has of warming and invigorating the human spirit.”
Cantus enjoys a vigorous schedule of national and international touring, in addition to home concerts in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. Cantus has performed at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, UCLA, San Francisco Performances, Yale Schwarzman Center, Tanglewood and Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.
We are very excited to host Cantus on the NMU campus as part of a collaboration with the NMU Choral Festival. Please visit their website (https://cantussings.org) to learn more about Cantus!
Cerus Quartet
- Friday, February 5
- 7:30pm
- Reynolds Recital Hall
Tickets (tickets.nmu.edu)
- General Admission $15
- Youth (18 and under) - Free
- NMU Students - Free
PLUS: Two additional events (both FREE and open to the public)!
- Music Appreciation Presentation on Friday, February 5 @ 11am in Reynolds Recital Hall
- Masterclass on Friday, February 5 @ 1pm in Reynolds Recital Hall
Emerging as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st-century classical music. Their mission is driven by diverse, engaging programming and innovative visual elements that captivate audiences.
Cerus champions both new music and timeless repertoire. They have premiered works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon, Karalyn Schubring, and Joey Karz, and they recently debuted a significant commission by Ryan Lindveit (in 2025). Their unique programming approach—pairing newly commissioned works with transcriptions of classical mainstays—has not only earned them critical acclaim and competition success but has also shaped a distinctive ensemble sound, allowing them to seamlessly adapt to a wide range of performance settings and musical styles.
The quartet was named the winner of the 2025 Concert Artist Guild Louis and Susan Meisel Competition. As part of that honor, Cerus was awarded the inaugural Bohemians Artist Residency and the Robert A. Levinson and Patricia S. Levinson Arts Achievement Award, offering tailored resources to accelerate their career development. Additional accolades include the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, First Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize with the Michigan Prize at the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.
Learn more about the Cerus Quartet on their website: https://www.cerusquartet.com