New Music Festival

The UNI New Music Festival 2025 is poised to be a remarkable celebration of contemporary music, bringing together distinguished composers and performers in a showcase of innovation and creativity. Join us for this inspiring event, where the future of music unfolds in the heart of our campus.

Festival Highlights:

• Concert 1: Student Concert
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. 
  • Location: Davis Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn
  • What to expect: UNI Music Students performing in solo and chamber settings. The concert will feature works by guest composer Libby Larsen, as well as Yusef Lateef and Tylor Snodgrass (UNI Alum).
• Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra Concert
  • Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Location: Catherine Cassidy Gallagher Great Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn
  • What to expect: The Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra will present a program of all contemporary music, featuring two compositions by featured guest composer Libby Larsen, including the second performance of a new work titled Emergency Haying, featuring guest baritone Alan Dunbar, and Larsen’s Raspberry Island Dreaming, featuring faculty mezzo-soprano Michelle Monroe. Paired with these two works is a piece by Quad Cities composer Jacob Bancks and the 2024 winner of the student Instrumental Concerto Competition, Tess Lorraine, performing Koppel’s Concerto for Marimba No. 1.
• Concert 2: Faculty and Guest Ensemble Performance
  • Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.
  • Location: Davis Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn
  • What to expect: This concert will present a blend of performances by the UNI Music Faculty, as well as guest ensemble LGBTQuintet. The concert will feature works by guest composer Libby Larsen, as well as John Cage, Francis Poulenc, Lou Harrison, Marc Mellits and Jon Schwabe (UNI Faculty), among others.
• Concert 3: Faculty and Guest Ensemble Performance
  • Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.
  • Location: Davis Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn
  • What to expect: This concert will present a blend of performances by the UNI Music Faculty, as well as guest ensemble LGBTQuintet. The concert will feature works by guest composer Libby Larsen, as well as Philip Schuessler, Mikayla Frank-Martin, Elliot Goldkind, Timothy Daso, Raven Chacon and Eve Beglarian.
• Concert 4: Faculty Performance
  • Date/Time: Saturday, March 1 at 3 p.m.
  • Location: Davis Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn
  • What to expect: The concert will feature performances by UNI Faculty with works by composers Liza Lim, Reena Esmail and Kevin Day, among others.
• Other Festival Events
  • Presentations:
    • Libby Larsen
      • Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
      • Location: Room 147, Russell Hall
    • Alan Dunbar
      • Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3:30 p.m. 
      • Location: Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall
  • Student Composer Readings:
    • What to expect: LGBTQuintet will do readings of student works and provide feedback. 
    • Date/Time: Feb. 26, time TBA
    • Location: TBA

Each concert and presentation at the festival is a testament to the evolving world of new music, promising an array of auditory delights for all attendees. Come and immerse yourself in the innovative sounds and rhythms of today's musical landscape at the UNI New Music Festival 2025.

All events are free and open to the public.