Ying Quartet
Alumnus Steven Banks Named Young Concert Artists' First Saxophonist Winner
Saxophonist Steven Banks (MM17) was one of four winners in the final round of this year's Young Concert Artists International Auditions on Sunday, November 17, in New York City. A faculty member at Ithaca College, Steven Banks earned his master of music degree at the Bienen School of Music as a student of saxophone professor Taimur Sullivan. He is the first saxophonist winner in Young Concert Artists' 58-year history.
Winners receive a three-year comprehensive management contract as members of the YCA roster and are presented in concert engagements across North America and abroad, including debut recitals in New York City and at Washington's Kennedy Center. Past winners have included such luminaries as Dawn Upshaw, Pinchas Zuckerman, Emanuel Ax, Ida Kavafian, and the Jupiter String Quartet.
"Steven Banks is at the forefront of musicians of his generation in his display of the highest level of both artistry and pedagogy," says Sullivan. "He is continually pushing the boundaries and perceptions of our instrument, and in turn is helping to elevate the field even at this early stage of his career."
Also honored as a participant in the final round of auditions was alumni trumpeter Ansel Norris (BM16).
Julian Velasco wins Cedille Emerging Artist Competition
Saxophonist 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
Byeol 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
Two 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
Two Bienen School of Music student ensembles have advanced to the finals of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Chamber Music Competition.
Banks (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
Steven Banks and Ansel Norris advance to the auditions' final round on November 17.
Two Bienen School ensembles advance to Fischoff Competition
Two 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
Eric 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
Bienen 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
The Bienen School of Music's Institute for New Music will host the third biennial Northwestern University New-Music Conference (NUNC! 3) April 20-22.