Students

The University of Illinois Bands welcomed forty-one bands to historic Gies Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 for the 54th annual Illinois Marching Band Championships (IMBC).

To Kathleen “Kathy” Harvey [B.S. microbiology, ‘72, Ed.M., ‘78], band has always been more than just a hobby. It’s been a lifelong way to make an impact and stay connected to something larger than herself. As a proud Illinois alumna, Kathy has been a generous supporter of the band programs through the years, contributing to areas such as the Illinois Bands Loyalty Society and, most notably, the Harry Begian Assistantship Fund in Bands.

Zhen Liang, student of Dr. Chi-Chen Wu, won 1st Place in the ISMTA Competition SOUTH, Collegiate Piano Solo Division.

Zijian Lin (DMA-2) and Zhen Liang (BM-1), students of Dr. Chi-Chen Wu, were awarded Honorable Mention in the Illinois MTNA Young Artist and Senior Piano Competitions, respectively.

Congratulations to Lillian (Lily) Knaack, who earned second place in the Illinois MTNA Young Artist Competition.

Congratulations to Luke Brann, winner of the 2025 Paul Rolland Memorial String Award, an internal School of Music violin competition held on Friday, November 7.

University of Illinois Voice Area students participated in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition on October 31 and November 1. 15 students placed within the top three in their categories.

The School of Music proudly celebrates Lyric Theatre’s production of L’Orfeo for earning third place nationally in Division VII of the National Opera Association’s Opera Production Competition for the 2024-2025 cycle.

Six young female choral conductors and ACDA members came to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music to workshop with faculty and guest artists before conducting University of Illinois ensembles.

Jeremiah Jordan has been selected as the University’s first male member of the Illinettes, the official dance team of the Marching Illini.

The University’s Black Chorus has spent decades upholding its mission to be an inclusive space for students to unite and represent the voices of Black Americans.

Marching Illini to perform at 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2026

Wheeling Symphony Orchestra hires Marc Zyla, DMA (ABD) as Executive Director.

Sophomore cellist, Oskar Norell, was invited to Washington D.C. to compete as a semi-finalist in the 2025 Washington International Competition.

DMA composition student Xavier Davenport has been awarded honorable mention in 2025 Graduate Image of Research competition.

Illinois Public Media's The 21st Show invited professor Carlos Carillo to talk about the new opera he composed that is premiering this month at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture in Chicago.

Musicology graduate students Kirsten Barker and Colin Hochstetler have each earned competitive fellowships that will further their academic endeavors.