A three-day festival celebrating American composer, artist and author John Cage -- one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde -- will take place on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus from Nov. 15 to 17.
Continue reading on Northwestern NowJohn Cage Festival to Celebrate and Shed Light on His Music
October 30, 2012

Nov. 19 Bienen concert to feature US premiere of Thomalla work
November 2, 2021
The Bienen School of Music’s Contemporary Music Ensemble will present the US premiere of Harmoniemusik (full version) by Hans Thomalla on Friday, November 19, 2021.
Chicago’s Ear Taxi Festival to showcase Bienen School prominently
September 9, 2021
More than 100 alumni, faculty, and current students of the Bienen School of Music will participate in Chicago’s Ear Taxi Festival September 15 through October 4.
Experiencing the Live Remote Concert Space
May 17, 2021
Undergraduate cello student Annie Hyung describes her experiences performing remotely in the Contemporary Music Ensemble.
Bienen School hosts fourth biennial new music conference virtually on April 24
April 6, 2021
The Institute for New Music at the Bienen School of Music will host its fourth biennial Northwestern University New-Music Conference (NUNC! 4) in a virtual format on Saturday, April 24.
Institute for New Music announces 2019-2020 season
August 8, 2019
The Institute for New Music at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music will present the Chicago premiere of David T. Little’s powerful contemporary opera “Dog Days,” Nov. 21 to 24 at the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts. Bookending the Institute’s season is NUNC!
Pierson brings music of Aphex Twin to Northwestern
May 23, 2019
Over 15 years ago, Alan Pierson’s ensemble Alarm Will Sound recorded an album of tracks by British techno artist Aphex Twin. This Friday, Pierson conducts the Contemporary Music Ensemble in renditions of some of these same songs.
Bienen Institute for New Music welcomes David T. Little and Judd Greenstein
April 3, 2019
The Institute for New Music welcomes contemporary American composers David T. Little and Judd Greenstein for an April 24-27 residency.
JACK Quartet wins Avery Fisher Career Grant
March 15, 2019
JACK Quartet – an ensemble featuring Bienen School of Music alumnus violinist Austin Wulliman (G08) – has won $25,000 Avery Fisher Career Grant.
Jennifer Higdon completes first Nemmers residency
October 24, 2018
The Bienen School of Music recently hosted composer Jennifer Higdon for the first of two Nemmers Prize residencies.
Nemmers Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon to visit Bienen School Oct. 15 to 20
October 1, 2018
The Bienen School of Music welcomes Jennifer Higdon, winner of the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition, Oct. 15 to 20 for the first of two Nemmers Prize residencies.