As midterm approaches, it seems a bit late to say “Welcome Back”. But is that a phrase we’ll ever tire of hearing again? We are all creatures of habit and take many things for granted. But if this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s shown that many of our ways of making Music and expressing ourselves through Music have been changed. Not everything, of course. Ensemble rehearsals will be somewhat the same, but can you ever forget that puppy pad next to your favorite brass player’s chair? Or how about the bling mask the soprano next to you wears?
Seriously though, many of us have suffered greatly, in ways that are indescribable. Have you had time to reflect on how Music has helped you through the last year? When I see the amazing projects that our students and faculty have produced over the last few semesters, I’m amazed at the creativity that is evident.
While the pandemic is not over yet, we must hope that the future is brighter and work with every ounce of creative energy to change the course of our lives and of the lives of our students. I urge you all to Sing On! Play On!
Musically yours,
Dr. Robert Heitzinger
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Student Spotlight: Nicholas Anderson |
Nicholas Anderson is a proud TLP and Graduate student in his second year at Northeastern Illinois University. As a working percussionist and private instructor in the Chicagoland area for over 20 years, Nick recently decided it was time to continue his education. He found the NEIU music department a welcoming environment to realize his goals and has not looked back since. In his spare time, Anderson enjoys fishing, cooking and spending time with his wife, Cheryl, and their three boys - Dylan, Aaron and Brady. Anderson will be student teaching in the spring and is eager to apply the knowledge and skills he has learned from the wonderful mentors at NEIU. |
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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Katherine Peterson |
Dr. Petersen performs two lecture recitals this Fall 2021 semester: October 7 and November 4.
These lecture recitals arose from my passion for Russian art song and my curiosity as to how political movements can shape the development of an art form. Many agree that civilization’s greatest advancements were established during periods of increased cosmopolitanism―when people, ideas, and artistic creations are shared freely between nations. During the reigns of Peter the Great, Empress Elizabeth, and Catherine the Great, European music and culture were regarded with such prestige that native Russian composers felt neglected and later resentful. The October 7 lecture recital entitled “Condemned Cosmopolitanism” explored the onset of the antagonistic relationship between Mily Balakirev’s Mighty Handful and Anton Rubinstein’s conservative movement in Russian music composition. The anti-European sentiments sowed in the mid-nineteenth century initiated an irascible relationship between nationalist insiders and those considered foreign sympathizers. This acrimonious division intensified as the Soviet Union used the arts to ratify and demonstrate totalitarian ideology and policy over popular, dilettante, and bourgeoisie cultures. The consequent November 4 recital entitled “Cosmopolitanism, Continued” explores how this extreme form of nationalism continued to affected the development of Russian art song moving into the 20th century as many composers found themselves at odds with the Soviet government, censorship, and cultural doctrines like those established by Andrei Zhdanov. The program will feature art songs in Russian by Pauline Viardot, Sergei Prokofiev, Boris Prozorovskii, Boris Fomin, Lev Drizo, and Valery Volartinskii.
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Upcoming Scholarship Auditions |
Please note the following dates for scholarship auditions during this school year.
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Friday, November 12, 2021, 2:30pm - 5:30pm: Auditions for Named Scholarships for the Spring 2022 Semester.
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Saturday, March 5 , 2022, 9:30pm - 3:30pm (as needed): Auditions for Tuition Waivers, New & Returning Students, and Named Auditions,
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Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9:30pm - 3:30pm (as needed): Auditions for Tuition Waivers, and New & Returning students.
Please direct questions to Tina Laughlin, Recruitment, Scholarship, and Auditions Coordinator at t-laughlin@neiu.edu.
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Free Online Concerts & Musical Content |
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As arts organizations come back to in-person performances, many exciting performances are still being made available online. Check out a couple here: |
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Ojai Music Festival (Ojai, CA): All the performances from this year's festival, which took place last month, are available on their 2021 Live Stream Archive. Performers included Rhiannon Giddens, the Attacca Quartet, John Adams, Gabriela Ortiz, Emi Ferguson, and many more. The complete program book is available online as well.
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Louisville Orchestra (Louisville, KY): During the pandemic the Louisville Orchestra produced an impressive array of genre-crossing performances that brought together classical, folk, and popular styles of music on their unique socially distanced stage. A nice selection of some of these performances are now available at LO Online.
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Upcoming NEIU Music and Dance Events
NEIU Wind Ensemble | Tue, Oct 19 at 7:30pm
Guitar Studio Showcase | Thu, Oct 21 at 3:05pm
NEIU Jazz Combo | Tue, Oct 26 at 3:05pm
Student Recital Hour | Thu, Oct 28 at 3:05pm
Jeff Kawalkowski Big Band: ZESPOL | Thu, Oct 28 at 7:30pm
Piano Studio Showcase | Thu, Nov 4 at 3:05pm
Faculty Recital: Katherine Petersen | Thu, Nov 4 at 7:30pm
Fall Dance Concert | Fri, Nov 5 at 7:30pm
Music Faculty Recital | Tue, Nov 9 at 3:05pm
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A Musical Welcome Back to Campus for In-Person Classes, Lessons, and Rehearsals |
The Faculty and Alumni Pep Band serenades new NEIU students at the Golden Eagle Welcome on August 20, 2021 with the music of Pharrell, Europe, Walk the Moon, and more. It was a joyful noise! |
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