After a two-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, composer Christopher Cerrone’s work for choir and orchestra, “The Last Message Received,” will see its world premiere at the Bienen School of Music on Saturday, April 30.
Continue reading on Northwestern NowWorld premiere by Christopher Cerrone captures messages of loss and hope
April 12, 2022

World premiere by Christopher Cerrone captures messages of loss and hope
April 12, 2022
After a two-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, composer Christopher Cerrone’s work for choir and orchestra, “The Last Message Received,” will see its world premiere at the Bienen School of Music on Saturday, April 30.
Bienen School presents Midwest premiere of Jake Heggie opera Feb. 24-27
February 2, 2022
American composer Jake Heggie’s Faustian opera “If I Were You” will make its Midwest debut in Northwestern University Opera Theater’s Feb. 24-27 production at Cahn Auditorium.
Alumni, Faculty among 2022 Grammy Nominees
November 24, 2021
Professor Donald Nally has received a Grammy Award nomination for the sixth consecutive year. Several Northwestern alumni are also among this year’s Grammy nominees.
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.
Bienen School presents live, in-person “Eclipse” world premiere April 25-26
April 28, 2021
The Bienen School of Music presented its first live, in-person performances since March 2020 with the world premiere of Eclipse, a work designed to be performed in a socially distanced setting under a full moon.
Alumni Spotlight: Kate Lee
March 12, 2021
Kate Lee ‘17 was named the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2021 Outstanding Early Career Educator of the year. Learn more in this Alumni Spotlight.
Alumni Spotlight: Thomas Mesa
January 15, 2021
Cuban-American cellist Thomas Mesa ‘14 MMus has won the First Prize in the 2016 Sphinx Competition, the Astral Artists 2017 National Auditions, and the Alhambra Orchestra Concerto Competition. Learn more in this Alumni Spotlight feature.
Nally's The Crossing album on year's best list
December 17, 2020
Professor Donald Nally and The Crossing’s recording of Eriks Esenvalds’s "Earth Teach Me Quiet" was named one of the 25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2020 by the New York Times.
Chatting with … Kevin Vondrak
December 1, 2020
Conductor and composer Kevin Vondrak ’17 MMus talks about his arrangement of the “Alma Mater” and breaking out of a creative funk during COVID-19.
Bienen faculty, alumni among 2021 Grammy nominees
November 30, 2020
Several Bienen School faculty and alumni have received 2021 Grammy Award nominations.