<p>Existing Regenstein Hall will be connected to the new building. I believe that it currently holds the strings, brass and woodwinds and orchestra/band.</p>
<p>Re: Music in general: I can't put up a YouTube link, but if you go there, look for "northwesternu" for a bazillion videos of this and that from the school. Also on the northwestern.edu website, look for Pick-Staiger's videos. I watched a Renee Fleming masterclass there and am hoping for the Barbara Cook video (son (freshman, vocal performance, says she was "incredible"). Son says the acoustics in Lutkin hall are really good, but I'm guessing that Lutkin won't be used by Bienen after the new building is finished (which will be after he graduates!).</p>
<p>Re: Jazz. I really don't know anything about the revitalized Jazz program except that it's receiving lots of coverage in the latest Fanfare, the Bienen publication, and the talk given to freshman parents made much of the new director, as well as the new percussion professor, She-e-Wu, and new director of opera, Jay Lesenger (apparently the last director was roundly disliked and people are thrilled about Jay, as is my son's home voice teacher, who with his wife, an opera singer, say Jay is outstanding at Chautauqua). One interesting thing is that Jay has established that no freshman and sophomores can audition for solos in opera but can audition for the choruses. Interesting, and I would say--with my limited knowledge--appropriate. Son's friend at Manhattan School of Music says the new position there is that no undergraduates can sing in MSM operas, either as soloists or in the chorus.</p>
<p>Victor Goines - Director and teaching clarinet & sax
Christopher Madsen - will be teaching jazz improv and directing jazz ensemble
Peter Martin - piano
Elliot Mason - trombone
Herlin Riley - percussion</p>
<p>This is the official faculty listed by the university. I do know that other teachers also come in to teach particular styles of jazz. More faculty will be hired when more students are admitted and as they need teachers for other instruiments. Mr. Goines has hand-picked these people and they are jazzers he has played with for a long time. Some of them taught with him at Julliard when he was director of jazz there.</p>
<p>I have heard each and every one of these guys play over the years and I don't think you could have picked any better. If you want to see for yourself, many of these guys have videos on the "You Tube" website. Jazz at Northwestern has now entered the big leagues! </p>
<p>The fact that Mr. Goines has his undergrad degree in Music Education helps me think that he will oversee the development of a top notch curriculum. He is basically starting this program from scratch and it will take a couple years to recruit the best players. He did admit freshmen this year in jazz and I'm sure will continue to admit more.</p>
<p>For applicants and parents who are curious about music at Northwestern, you can view videos at the link below. Recent performances include the jazz faculty, new percussion faculty, and all of the School of Music choral ensembles (NU Voices), who sang on parents' weekend (we couldn't attend so watched this streaming live and are happy to see that we can watch it again on demand!). You can move the slider to pick and choose parts of the concerts. Look at the top of the list for master classes, one being by Renee Fleming. NU also has a YouTube account (this is NOT a link to that, of course, as that's not allowed), which includes past operas and other music selections.</p>
<p>Note, this link isn't directly to a video (as it would seem!) but to the page that lists the official Northwestern videos from Pick-Staiger hall.</p>
<p>Thanks for sending that link. I was at the concert, but I did not know how to find this video! I have picked out your son and my daughter! Their choir sounds great!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information guys. So I have a question about the choir there- is it open to all students of Northwestern or only those enrolled in the school of music? </p>
<p>Northwestern may be a good fit for my D because she is really looking for strong academics as well as strong vocal music opportunities. She definitely wants to be in a high level choir and will also want to get lessons from a really good voice teacher. At this time she doesn't want to be a pure performance major but she would be interested in a double major or dual degree with the music school and the general liberal arts school.</p>
<p>linnlew, I sent this link to all the relatives! And it gave me the opportunity to see that yes, son does need a haircut over Thanksgiving! ;) The concert sounds wonderful, I agree, and the quality of the recording and video is excellent.</p>
<p>vicariousparent: There are several choirs at NU, and I know some have auditions open to everyone, but I don't know which ones. Choirs include the University Chorus (auditions open to students, faculty and, I think, the community), University Singers (freshmen and sophomores, mostly), women's choir, Alice Millar Chapel Choir, University Chorale, and Baroque Ensemble (very small group).</p>
<p>There are many a cappella groups on campus and auditions are open. Held first week or so of school, I think. There seem to be at least three very well-organized student-run musical theater groups and anyone can audition for these shows. I don't know what the protocol is for musical theater groups. Opera chorus is open to audition by freshmen and sophomores, but they can't audition for solos (this is what my son tells me). I'm guessing they are open to all students.</p>
<p>Non-vocal performance majors may have to pay for lessons--you or your D should call to find out. And not all teachers are available for non-vocal-perf. students. She should check into this, too. NU is one of the places that does allow for double major and double degree, and the quarter system seems to make that a little easier, although I think either path with take a tremendous amount of dedication! I wish my VP son were up for double majoring! So far, my freshman son absolutely loves NU, but I'm guessing that the social life is a big part of it! He's blessed with a fantastic roommate (film major) and is in a fun, sociable-but-not-loony (or so he says) dorm, Allison.</p>