Choir Days
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 (Choir Day 1) and Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 (Choir Day 2) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Choir Day gives high school choirs the opportunity to come together in the Music Building to perform for and listen to fellow choir members, directors and NIU faculty members. Students also have the chance to learn from an accomplished guest clinician.
Registration
- Cost: $275 per school (due two weeks before event)
- Registration deadline: Sept. 11, 2026
- Each clinic day is limited to six schools.
Choir Day 1 Registration Choir Day 2 Registration
Be sure to register by the deadline. A registration fee is charged for each ensemble and is due two weeks before the event date. Please note only one ensemble per school, unless space allows.
Cancellations
If you cancel five or more business days before the event, you may request a refund from Kristin Sherman at ksherman2@niu.edu or 815-753-1450. No refunds will be made after this time unless NIU cancels the event.
Staff
Participants will work with several NIU faculty members, including:
Guest Clinician
For Choir Days 2026, the NIU School of Music welcomes Jennifer Rodgers as our guest clinician!
Dr. Jennifer Rodgers is the Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Associate Teaching Professor of Voice at Iowa State University. With advanced degrees in voice performance and conducting and a career of singing professionally in a wide variety of styles, her teaching is dedicated to bridging contemporary and traditional practices in vocal music. Jennifer has presented widely on the development of treble voice choirs and pushing the boundaries of sound, repertoire, and role. She is the editor for the Rehearsal Break column of the Choral Journal and has presented and published nationally on the topic of choral relevance – a movement to examine choral music through a lens of inclusivity and connective dialogue. Jennifer performs in classical, musical theatre, and jazz settings and is one of sixteen singers in withonevoice, a professional choir based in Chicago and Western Illinois.
Sample Event Schedule
Note: this schedule allows five minutes for the choirs to move onto and off the stage.
| School Choir Name | Director Name | Warm-Up (Room 155) 20 Minutes | Performance and Clinic (Concert Hall) 25 Minutes | Critique (Room 171) 20 Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High School Choir 1 | Choir Director 1 | 8:05 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. |
| High School Choir 2 | Choir Director 2 | 8:35 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. |
| High School Choir 3 | Choir Director 3 | 9:05 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 10 a.m. |
| High School Choir 4 | Choir Director 4 | 9:35 a.m. | 10 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
| High School Choir 5 | Choir Director 5 | 10:05 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 11 a.m. |
| High School Choir 6 | Choir Director 6 | 10:35 a.m. | 11 a.m. | Noon |
| Welcome! Austyn Menk, NIU Music Admissions | 11:30 a.m. | |||
| Performance by NIU Concert Choir | 11:35 a.m. | |||
Contact Us
College of Visual and Performing ArtsOffice of External Programs
Music Building 132
Kristin Sherman
815-753-1450
ksherman2@niu.edu
Online Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(lunch from noon – 1 p.m.)
