Bienen School hosts sixth biennial new music conference April 25-27
/sites/default/files/2025-04/0250402_NUNC6.jpgThe Institute for New Music hosts its biennial Northwestern University New Music Conference (NUNC! 6) from Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27.
Two different saxophone sounds morph in one concert
/sites/default/files/2025-01/20241121_saxophones.jpgA new collaboration in the Bienen School of Music brings the world of smokey jazz clubs and esteemed concert halls together and gives saxophone students the opportunity to create a new kind of sound.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/11/two-different-saxophone-sounds-in…Bienen Ensembles Studio Ensembles /sites/default/files/styles/event_featured_image/public/2024-11/March_10_Sax_Ensembles_WEB.jpg?itok=cRWHbSLD
Taimur Sullivan, director
The ensembles present a concert of new and inventive sounds for many saxophones, including a world premiere by Sam Alvarez (‘24) and premieres of arrangements by composers Stacy Garrop and John Adams.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (arr. Eric Rierson), Allegro con brio e vivace from Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70
Hiromi Uehara (arr. Corey Dundee), Cape Cod Chips
Hiromi Uehara (arr. Brian Kachur), Islands Azores
Sam Alvarez, the tree stump is a verb (world premiere)
Stacy Garrop, Give Me Hunger (world premiere arrangement)
John Adams (arr. Brian Kachur), Hallelujah Junction (world premiere arrangement)
Audience Advisory: The visual projections played during Sam Alvarez's the tree stump is a verb include bright, quickly-moving patterns that may be irritating to photosensitive viewers.
Is Not Featured 1219066 No On Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid ID. Off https://ci.ovationtix.com/36542/performance/11550172?performanceId=11550172 Yes No Off 1219066 Monday, March 10, 2025 at 7:30pm CDT Galvin Recital Hall On https://www.music.northwestern.edu/live/galvinBienen Ensembles Jazz Studio Ensembles /sites/default/files/styles/event_featured_image/public/2024-08/nov24_heritage_evolution_web.jpg?itok=a_dpGjVf
Taimur Sullivan and Derrick Gardner, directors
In a first-ever collaboration, the Northwestern University saxophone studio and jazz program come together to present a concert of music by jazz luminaries past and present, including John Coltrane, Miguel Zenón, Melissa Aldana, Billy Strayhorn (as arranged by Derrick Gardner), and others.
Chris Potter, Improvisations
Melissa Aldana, Reflections
Miguel Zenón, "The Missing Piece"
John Coltrane (arr. Dave Liebman), "Dear Lord"
Terrell Stafford (arr. Jack Saint Clair), "Favor"
Billy Strayhorn (adapt. Derrick Gardner), "Lush Life"
Bienen School warms up winter with a range of new music
/sites/default/files/2024-01/20240125_newmusic.jpegThis winter, the Institute for New Music presents a full slate of events featuring works by contemporary artists, including special guest performances and world premieres.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/01/bienen-school-of-music-warms-up-w…Bienen Ensembles Studio Ensembles Festivals & Series Institute for New Music /sites/default/files/styles/event_featured_image/public/2023-11/feb28_sax_ensemble.jpg?itok=fgM6KXfQ
Taimur Sullivan, director
The Northwestern University Saxophone Ensemble presents a wide-ranging concert showcasing the expressive capabilities of the saxophone. Included will be works by ground-breaking 20th-century composers Julius Eastman and Terry Riley, a world premiere by student composer Isaac Boone, and a new arrangement by Joanne Metcalf.
Is Not Featured 1184839 No On Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid ID. Off https://ci.ovationtix.com/36542/performance/11389670?performanceId=11389670 Yes No Off 1184839 Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 7:30pm CST Galvin Recital Hall On /live/galvinBienen School hosts fifth biennial new music conference April 21-23
/sites/default/files/2023-03/20230322_nunc.jpgFor the first time in five years, the Institute for New Music hosts its biennial Northwestern University New Music Conference (NUNC! 5) in person from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2023/03/bienen-school-hosts-fifth-biennia…Bienen School announces new music concerts for winter and spring
/sites/default/files/2023-01/20230123_instute_winter_events.jpgTed Hearne’s SCOTUS-inflected choral cantata “Sound from the Bench” and NUNC! 5 are among the winter and spring offerings at the Institute for New Music at the Bienen School of Music.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2023/01/bienen-school-announces-new-music…Bienen saxophone quartet advances to Fischoff Competition
/sites/default/files/2022-03/20220328_conflux.jpgConflux Quartet—an ensemble of Bienen School of Music master’s students—has been invited to the 49th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Steven Banks awarded Avery Fisher Career Grant
/sites/default/files/2022-03/20220323_steven_banks.jpgBienen School of Music alumnus Steven Banks ’17 MMus has been awarded a $25,000 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He is the first saxophonist in history to receive this honor.
Two Bienen students awarded 2022 Luminarts Fellowships
/sites/default/files/2022-03/20220318_luminarts2.jpgDoctoral students Joseph Connor ’19 MMus (saxophone) and Qi Kong (piano) have been named 2022 Fellows in Classical Music by the Luminarts Cultural Foundation.
Julian Velasco wins Cedille Emerging Artist Competition
/sites/default/files/2021-11/20211122_Velasco.jpgSaxophonist Julian Velasco ’20 MMus, an alumnus and current doctoral student of Taimur Sullivan, has been named the winner of Cedille Records’ Emerging Artist Competition.
Two Receive 2020 Luminarts Fellowships
/sites/default/files/2020-10/20201009_Luminarts.jpgByeol Kim, a doctoral piano student of James Giles, and Julian Velasco ‘20 MMus, a former student of Taimur Sullivan, have been named 2020 Fellows in Classical Music by the Luminarts Cultural Foundation.
Two Bienen ensembles compete in virtual Fischoff
/sites/default/files/2020-05/Fischoff_2020_0.jpgTwo student chamber ensembles from the Bienen School of Music – Fuse Quartet and Trio Noré – advanced in the 47th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, which moved to an online format for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Two Bienen ensembles to compete in MTNA Finals
/sites/default/files/2020-01/20200109_MTNA_ensembles.jpgTwo Bienen School of Music student ensembles have advanced to the finals of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Chamber Music Competition.
Alumnus Steven Banks Named Young Concert Artists’ First Saxophonist Winner
/sites/default/files/2019-11/banks_yca_win.jpgBanks (pictured, top left) was one of four winners in the final round of the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions on November 17.
Bienen Alumni Advance to Young Concert Artists International Audition Finals
/sites/default/files/2019-10/banks_norris_v2.jpgSteven Banks and Ansel Norris advance to the auditions' final round on November 17.
Two Bienen School ensembles advance to Fischoff Competition
/sites/default/files/2019-04/20190403_fischoff_collage.jpgTwo Bienen School student ensembles – Fuse Quartet and Galvin Trio – have been invited to the 46th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Saxophone student wins Yamaha Young Artist Competition
/sites/default/files/2019-02/20190215_eric_zheng.jpgEric Zheng, a Bienen School saxophone student of Taimur Sullivan, was named a winner in the 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition.
~Nois quartet wins second prize in M-Prize competition
/sites/default/files/2018-05/20180507_nois_quartet.jpgBienen School graduate saxophone quartet ~Nois has been awarded second prize in the open division of the 2018 M-Prize International Chamber Arts Competition. As a second place laureate, the quartet received an $8,000 award.
Bienen School hosts third biennial new music conference April 20-22
/sites/default/files/2018-04/20180403_new_music_0.jpgThe Bienen School of Music's Institute for New Music will host the third biennial Northwestern University New-Music Conference (NUNC! 3) April 20-22.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2018/april/bienen-school-hosts-third-bien…2018 Grammy nominees include Bienen faculty
/sites/default/files/2017-11/20171128_grammy.jpgBienen School faculty members Donald Nally and Taimur Sullivan and alumnus Giancarlo Guerrero have received nominations for 2018 Grammy Awards.
Taimur Sullivan is associate professor of saxophone at the Bienen School and a member of the acclaimed PRISM Quartet.
Learn MoreBienen saxophone quartet wins silver medal in Fischoff Competition
/sites/default/files/2018-04/20170515_nois_quartet.jpg~Nois, a Bienen School of Music saxophone quartet, has been awarded the silver medal in the 44th annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition’s senior wind division.
Ear Taxi Festival to showcase Bienen faculty, students and alumni
/sites/default/files/2018-01/20160913_eartaxi.jpgThe inaugural Ear Taxi Festival, an upcoming celebration of contemporary classical music in Chicago, will include two Bienen School new music ensembles among its diverse lineup of performers. Several alumni, students and faculty members are also involved in the festival, which will take place October 5-10, 2016 in various Chicago locations.
New Music Thrives at Northwestern
/sites/default/files/2018-10/20160601_newmusic_recap.jpgThe Institute for New Music held its second new-music conference November 6–8. NUNC! 2 brought together composers, performers, theorists, and musicologists specializing in new music.
Saxophonist Steven Banks and Kenari Quartet receive top M-Prize winds award
/sites/default/files/2018-10/20160523_kenari.jpgSteven Banks, a first-year master’s saxophone student of Taimur Sullivan, received first place with the Kenari Quartet at the inaugural M-Prize Competition at the University of Michigan.
Bienen School Continues New Year With New Music
/sites/default/files/2018-01/20160205_new_music.jpgThe new music season at Northwestern University continues this winter with performances of new works, including the world premieres of pieces by composers Joel Puckett and Benjamin Hjertmann.
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2016/02/bienen-new-musicTaimur Sullivan’s PRISM Quartet in Running for Grammy Nominations
/sites/default/files/2018-03/20151029_PRISM.jpgThe PRISM Quartet, an ensemble that comprises Bienen School Associate Professor Taimur Sullivan and three other saxophonists, has received Grammy Award consideration for their recent recording “Heritage/Evolutions, Volume 1.”
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-conferenceSaxophonist Taimur Sullivan Appointed to Bienen School Faculty
/sites/default/files/2018-04/20150304_saxophonist_sullivan.jpgSaxophonist Taimur Sullivan has been appointed to the Bienen School of Music faculty as associate professor of saxophone, effective September 1, 2015.