Bienen School of Music seeks nominations for $150,000 Nemmers Prize
/sites/default/files/2025-10/NEMMERS2026.jpgNominations for the 2026 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition will be accepted through Jan. 14, 2026.
Bienen School alumni, faculty receive 2025 Grammy nominations
/sites/default/files/2024-11/crossing.jpgProfessor emeritus Donald Nally has received his tenth Grammy nomination to date and several Bienen alumni are also among the 2025 nominees.
Tania León at Northwestern
/sites/default/files/2023-11/20231019_tania.jpgNemmers Prize winner Tania León discussed her work with the Contemporary Music Ensemble in an episode of WTTW's "Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices."
https://news.wttw.com/2023/10/19/pulitzer-prize-winning-composer-tania-le-n-tal…Looking Back at 10 Years of the Institute for New Music
/sites/default/files/2023-05/20230518_institute_letter_collage.jpgHans Thomalla, director of the Institute for New Music, reflects on the first 10 years of the institute's impact on the Bienen School of Music and greater Northwestern communities.
Tania León Awarded 2023 Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
/sites/default/files/2023-02/20220222_Leon.jpgCuban American composer and conductor Tania León has been awarded the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition from the Bienen School of Music.
Bienen ensembles perform works by Nemmers Prize winner William Bolcom
/sites/default/files/2022-04/20220405_bolcom_events.jpgThis April, the Bienen School of Music will feature three performances of works by William Bolcom, the 2021 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition winner.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/04/bienen-ensembles-perform-works-by…William Bolcom Awarded 2021 Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
/sites/default/files/2021-07/20210726_bolcom-william.jpgAmerican composer William Bolcom has been awarded the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition from the Bienen School of Music.
Grammy nominations honor faculty and alumni
/sites/default/files/2019-11/grammy_nominees_2019.jpgNominees for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards include Bienen faculty, alumni, and the current winner of the school's Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
Institute for New Music announces 2019-2020 season
/sites/default/files/2019-08/20190808_Alan-Pierson.jpgThe Institute for New 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.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2019/08/bienen-schools-institute-for-new-…Jennifer Higdon completes first Nemmers residency
/sites/default/files/2018-10/20181026_higdon.jpgThe 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
/sites/default/files/2018-10/Higdon_purple.jpgThe 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.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2018/october/nemmers-prize-winning-compos…Jennifer Higdon Awarded 2018 Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
/sites/default/files/2018-04/20180411_Jennifer_Higdon.jpgJennifer Higdon, one of America’s most frequently performed living composers, has been awarded the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
Nemmers Prize Winner Steve Reich returns to Bienen School of Music for second residency
/sites/default/files/2017-11/20171023_reich_residency.jpgMusical pioneer Steve Reich returns for his second residency at the Bienen School of Music.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2017/october/nemmers-prize-winner-steve-r…Steve Reich completes first Nemmers Prize residency
/sites/default/files/2018-11/20170210_reich.jpgSteve Reich’s first Bienen School residency as winner of the 2016 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition culminated February 9 in a sold-out concert in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, featuring performances by the Contemporary Music Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.
Nemmers prize winner Steve Reich honored with Bienen concert
/sites/default/files/2018-04/20170112_steve_reich_preview.jpgSteve Reich, winner of Northwestern University’s Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition, will attend music rehearsals, discussions with students and faculty and a performance of his work when he visits the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music Feb. 7-9.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2017/01/nemmers-prize-winner-steve-reich-…Grammy nominees include Bienen School faculty, alumni
/sites/default/files/2019-02/20171128_grammy_noms.jpgTwo Bienen School of Music faculty members and several alumni have been nominated for 2017 Grammy Awards.
Steve Reich Awarded 2016 Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
/sites/default/files/2018-01/20161109_musicnow_0.jpgSteve Reich, recently called “our greatest living composer” by The New York Times has been awarded the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition from the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.
Northwestern Hosts Second New Music Conference Nov. 6 to 8
/sites/default/files/2018-03/20151015_newmusic_conference.jpgThe Ensemble Dal Niente, a contemporary music collective, and Third Coast Percussion, a group that explores and expands the sonic possibilities of percussion, are among the guest ensembles participating in an early November new music conference on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2015/10/music-conferenceMidwest Premiere of ‘Sila’ Captures the Forces of Nature
/sites/default/files/2018-03/20151001_sila.jpgThe 80 musicians arranged in a U formation on the south lawn of the stunning new glass-encased Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts exceeded expectations last weekend with their haunting performance of “Sila: the Breath of the World.”
Bienen Celebrates Ryan Center with Year of Music Events
/sites/default/files/2018-03/20150914_bienen_celebrates.jpgThe Midwest premiere of “Sila: The Breath of the World,” a work by John Luther Adams that was written to be performed outdoors, will kick off a yearlong series of public events to celebrate the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music’s new Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2015/09/ryan-center-eventsNorthwestern Spring Choral Season Combines Ensembles
/sites/default/files/2018-08/20150416_choral.jpgThe Midwest premiere of “Lost Objects” by three Bang on a Can new music composers -- and the world premiere of “Canticle” by composer Imant Raminsh during a concert commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War -- are among the choral and collaborative performances taking place at Northwestern University this spring.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2015/04/northwestern-spring-choral-season…Esa-Pekka Salonen Wins $100,000 2014 Nemmers Composition prize
/sites/default/files/2018-08/20140310_salonen.jpgFinnish composer Esa-Pekka Salonen named winner of Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
Aaron Jay Kernis Awarded 2012 Nemmers Composition Prize
/sites/default/files/2019-05/20120507_aaron-jay-kernis.jpgAaron Jay Kernis has been named the 2012 winner of the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
John Luther Adams Wins 2010 Nemmers Composition Prize
/sites/default/files/2018-11/20100429_john_Luther_Adams.jpgAmerican composer John Luther Adams has been named winner of the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
Kaija Saariaho Wins 2008 Nemmers Composition Prize
/sites/default/files/2018-08/04022008_nemmers.jpgFinnish composer Kaija Saariaho is the 2008 winner of the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition.
Oliver Knussen Wins 2006 Nemmers Composition Prize
/sites/default/files/2018-11/20060424_Knussen.jpgBritish composer Oliver Knussen is the 2006 winner of the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition.
Composer John Adams Awarded $100,000 Nemmers Prize
/sites/default/files/2018-08/20040602_adams%202.jpgJohn Adams is the inaugural winner of the $100,000 Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition.