National High School Music Institute
June 29 - August 1, 2008

Daniel Farris, Artistic Director | Cory Wikan, Managing Director

NHSMI Links:
| Composition | Strings | Piano | Jazz Studies | Winds & Percussion |
| Voice | Music Education & Conducting | Guitar |
| Performance Opportunities| Application Information | Faculty |


An integral part of Northwestern University's acclaimed School of Music, the National High School Music Institute offers an intimate look at collegiate-level music study and music as a career. With a renowned faculty of more than 100, over 24 performance ensembles, and a myriad of classes, the institute offers an ideally challenging summer to the serious high school musician.

NHSMI is one of seven divisions of Northwestern's National High School Institute, which each summer enrolls approximately 700 of the nation's most accomplished students. Established in 1931, NHSMI is the oldest and largest university-based program of its kind in the nation.

The highly selective music division admits approximately 180 musicians, who may choose from eight areas of study. Applied music receives top priority regardless of the area of concentration, with a special emphasis on chamber music. Because Northwestern University believes in training well-rounded musicians, students are afforded the opportunity to advance academically with a curriculum of core music studies similar to that of a first-year student in the School of Music.

MP3 Downloads of previous NHSMI performances

The following MP3s are selections from the gala finale concert at the 2007 NHSMI. To save to your hard drive, right click or control-click.

• Dizzy Gillespie: "Manteca"
  Patrick Kennedy, piano
  Max Seiden, saxophone
  Sam Shahin, drum set
  Nick West, acoustic bass
  
  
• David Dickau: "If Music Be the Food of Love"
  NHSMI Choir
  
  
• Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
  Finale
  NHSMI Orchestra
  
  
• Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis
  NHSMI Wind Ensemble
  
  
• David Maslanka: Symphony No. 2
  Allegro Molto
  NHSMI Wind Ensemble

Successful NHSMI Graduates

Mary Alice Stollak Grammy Award-winning choral director and founder of the Michigan State University Children's Choir (MSUCC).

Ryan Anthony Former trumpet, Canadian Brass; visiting principal trumpet, Dallas Symphony

David Finlayson 2nd trombone, New York Philharmonic

Paul Corona Recent NU graduate; winner of Metropolitan Opera competition in 2006

Dan Novak Manager, Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center

Thomas Novak Dean of the College, New England Conservatory; founding member, Amerigo Ensemble; founding member, Quintet of the Americas

Matt Olson Director of jazz studies and professor of saxophone, Furman

Carolyn Barber Director of bands, University of Nebraska

Nelita True, Professor of piano, Eastman School of Music.

Here is what past participants had to say about NHSMI:

"The NHSMI program gave me a good idea of what music really is. Before I came here all I was playing were notes instead of music."

"I liked the master classes. All of the professors were very informative and communicated well with students. It was a great experience to watch improvement in others and then apply the techniques to yourself."

"This was my first chamber music experience and it was great!"

"If it weren't for the devastating fact that I'm a senior, I'd probably go back a third time!"