Music Department | Nebraska Wesleyan University

The legendary NWU arch juxtaposed by green trees and blue sky.

University Choir Plans Four-State Winter Tour

The University Choir's annual winter tour will take them to four states for nine performances.

Published

December 19, 2017

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s award-winning University Choir has announced a tour schedule that will take them to four states in January.

The choir begins its tour in York, Neb. on January 3 and will travel and perform for 9 days, concluding with a home concert in O’Donnell Auditorium on the Nebraska Wesleyan campus. They will also perform in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

Music Department

Alumni and Friends

Music Alumni Recognized During Homecoming Festivities

The Department of Music recognized three alumni during Homecoming festivities, September 28-October 1. Pictured are Emily Bruflat ('10) who received the Outstanding Young Music Alum Award and Liana Sandin ('81) who received the Outstanding Music Alum Awar

Published

September 29, 2017

Emily Bruflat (’10) has received the Outstanding Young Music Alum and Liana K. Sandin (’81) and Ray Young (’49) have received Outstanding Music Alum awards. The alumni were honored during homecoming activities September 27-October 1.

Music Department

Gender Studies Department

Sociology and Anthropology Department

Class Gives Students Historic Opportunity to Experience Cuba

For the first time, NWU professors John Spilker and Sue Wortmann led students to Cuba as part of a class that explored Cuban youth culture.

Students visit the iconic Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba.

Students gather around a bench that was donated by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her visit to Cuba in 2015.

"What a historic moment to visit a country that has been historically closed to U.S. citizens, by U.S. decree, and learn about Cuba's vibrant culture, which includes a thriving youth scene," said John Spilker, a music and gender studies professor.

Senior Sarah Dyer enjoyed the connections made between her classroom lessons and Cuban immersions. "I hope to go back and continue my research and gain a new perspective on this extraordinary youth and music culture."

Students visited an organic garden — one of their many experiences, which included museums, music events, and home stays to help them further understand daily Cuban life.

Published

August 8, 2017

For the music and gender studies major, the course would provide an exciting opportunity to learn more about contemporary Cuba.

Music Department

Gender Studies Department

Music and Gender Studies Professor Receives Prouty Teaching Award

Music and gender studies professor John Spilker is the 2016-2017 Prouty Teaching Award winner.

John Spilker, assistant professor of music and gender studies, has been named the 2016-2017 Prouty Teaching Award winner.

Published

May 10, 2017

At the start of each semester, music and gender studies professor John Spilker invites his students to review and sign a contract titled, “Ground Rules for Class Discussion.”

Music Department

Biology Department

Modern Languages Department

Biology Major Finds Her Way to Opera Stage

Sophomore Hanna Arrowsmith will perform in Nebraska Wesleyan's opera, "Gallantry" on April 7 and April 9. Arrowsmith is a biology and modern languages major who is planning a career in psychiatry. She found an unexpected passion for opera after taking a

Published

April 3, 2017

“I gave it a shot my first semester here and I fell in love with it. I’ve been doing it ever since,” sophomore Hanna Arrowsmith said of her passion for opera.

Music Department

NWU to Perform Operas “Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night” and “Gallantry”

Published

March 24, 2017

Stories of a jilted bride’s wedding night and a soap opera parody will be told on the O’Donnell Auditorium stage when Nebraska Wesleyan performs two operas, “Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night” and “Gallantry.”

Political Science Department

Music Department

Professors, Student Recognized for Diversity Advocacy

Professors Kelly Clancy (left) and John Spilker (right) and student Flor de Maria Garcia-Garza (not pictured) were honors with this year's Advocate For Diversity Award.

Flor de Maria Garcia-Garza, a junior business and psychology major, has been honored with the university's Advocate for Diversity Award.

Published

January 26, 2017

Kelly Clancy, assistant professor of political science, John Spilker, assistant professor of music and gender studies, and Flor de Maria Garcia-Garza, a junior business and psychology major, were each recognized for their work in raising awareness for issues of diversity and inclusion on campus.

Music Department

University Choir Plans Five-State Winter Tour

Published

December 7, 2016

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s award-winning University Choir has announced a tour schedule that will take them to five states in January.

Music Department

Alumni and Friends

Trumpeter Extraordinaire Bijon Watson to Perform at NWU

Trumpeter Bijon Watson with perform at NWU on September 25.

Kevin Boesinger is the 2016 "Outstanding Music Alum" Award winner.

Kaitlin Westbrook is the 2016 Outstanding Young Music Alum Award winner.

Published

September 19, 2016

Bijon Watson, the lead trumpet for the Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, will perform at Nebraska Wesleyan University on Sunday, September 25.

An Incredible Gift: NWU Receives Norman Luboff Singers Collection

Published

March 4, 2016

“Four hundred years of music all encapsulated in compositions and arrangements.” That’s how William Wyman, Professor of Music, describes the Norman Luboff Singers Collection, a choral library of 300 choral pieces.

Music Department

Touch of Class Jazz Choir to Perform Spring Tour in Iowa

Published

February 26, 2016

Nebraska Wesleyan University's Touch of Class Jazz Choir will make three performance stops during its spring tour to Iowa.

Music Department

University Choir Plans Three-State Winter Tour

Published

December 17, 2015

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s award-winning University Choir has announced a tour schedule that will take the ensemble to Colorado, New Mexico and across Nebraska in January.

Music Department

Students Take Musical Talents to Premier Greek Festival

rehearsing with choir director Bill Wyman

Published

July 10, 2015

Four Nebraska Wesleyan University vocalists and their director will spend much of July in Greece to be part of a renouned cultural festival.

Music Department

NWU Music to Perform Comedic Operas

Published

March 31, 2015

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Music Department will present a pair of comedic operas, “La Canterina” and “Mavra.”

Art Department

University Ministries

Music Department

Students Use Spring Break to Expand Worldviews

NWU students are in Puerto Rico this week learning about its history and culture.

Art Club members take a subway ride to New York City art museums.

Members of Touch of Class Jazz Choir are in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska as part of a spring break concert tour.

Published

March 23, 2015

Ten students and Nebraska Wesleyan’s university minister are in Puerto Rico this week where they are tutoring in immigrant communities.

Music Department

NWU to Host United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus Performance

The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus

Published

February 20, 2015

The internationally acclaimed United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus will perform a free concert at Nebraska Wesleyan University on Tuesday, March 10.

Music Department

Celebrate the Holidays With Elizabethan Feast Tradition

Published

November 18, 2014

Nebraska Wesleyan will celebrate a 22-year-old holiday tradition when it hosts its annual Elizabethan Christmas feast.

Music Professor Named Exemplary Teacher

Published

October 22, 2014

Energetic. Inventive. Committed. That’s how colleagues and students describe music professor John Spilker.

“Students will come, and they will stay when they have taken inventive, demanding and engaging classes like those taught by John Spilker,” wrote Sandra McBride, assistant professor of English.

Undergraduate Admissions

Music Department

40 Years: Doc Wyman's Career Marked by Many Milestones

Published

October 3, 2014

Doc Wyman has taught over 1,000 students to make the most of their voices. Some of those students were biology, physics, psychology and business students looking for the opportunity to further enjoy a musical hobby.

Music Department

University Choir Returns to Carnegie Hall to Perform Holocaust Piece

Published

May 20, 2014

For the second time in three years, the choir will perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Music Department

High Score: Music composers plan an elevating role in gamers’ experiences

Published

April 22, 2014

Mention video game music to people above 35 and they’re likely to think first of simple bloops and beeps, or the catchy tunes behind a bouncing Mario.

Music Department

Jazz Choir to Perform in Blair, Fremont, Columbus

Published

March 3, 2014

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Touch of Class Jazz Choir will make three performance stops on its spring tour.

The ensemble will perform concerts in Blair on March 14, Fremont on March 15 and Columbus on March 16.

Music Department

University Choir Plans Winter Tour Through Midwest