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Featured Events
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Attend a University Choir Concert in Your Area!
Alumni, parents, friends and prospective students: Join us in January for one or more concerts by the Millikin University Choir! No charge to attend and no RSVPs necessary; Millikin staff will be there to greet you!
- Thursday, January 8 7:30 pm
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
524 E Lawrence Ave, Springfield, IL 62703 - Friday, January 9 7:00 pm
St. Vincent de Paul
1010 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(Performance with Francis W. Parker School & Evergreen Park Community High School) - Saturday, January 10 7:00 pm
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
195 S Kankakee St, Coal City, IL 60416
(Performance with Coal City High School) - Monday, January 12 7:00 pm
Webster Hills United Methodist Church
698 W. Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119
(Performance with Webster Groves HS & Maplewood Richmond HS) - Tuesday, January 13 7:00 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church
3900 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37205
(Performance with Wilson Central High School & TBD) - Thursday, January 15 5:30 pm
St. Brigid Catholic Church
1520 Hepburn Ave, Louisville, KY 40204 - Sunday, January 18 2:00 pm
St. Patrick Church
407 E. Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523 - Thursday, January 31 7:30 pm
Illinois Music Educators Convention Performance
- Thursday, January 8 7:30 pm
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Brass Bonanza 2026Saturday, January 24
1–5 PM
Cost: $10
Hosted by the Millikin University Brass Faculty and Dr. Neal Smith, Director of Bands, Brass Bonanza is a celebration of all things brass playing. This event is for trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba players of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to work on different aspects of brass playing in small and large group settings, as well as hear faculty performances. All participants will perform in a combined brass choir at the Closing Concert in Kaeuper Hall (free and open to the public).
We ask that all participants register by Friday, January 16. Send registration payment via mail to:
Dr. David Cook
School of Music
Millikin University
1184 W. Main St.
Decatur, IL 62522Checks should be made payable to Millikin University; indicate Brass Bonanza in the subject line. No refunds.
Questions? Email Professor Logan Clark, Brass Area Coordinator, at ltclark@millikin.edu, Dr. Neal Smith, Director of Bands, at nsmith@millikin.edu and/or Dr. David Cook, Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies, at dcook@millikin.edu.
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February 7 1 PM–5 PM
Clarinet Day is a comprehensive, one-day festival for intermediate to advanced clarinetists of all ages. Participants will perform in clarinet choir alongside Millikin University students, engage in clarinet masterclasses, and work on clarinet fundamentals for performance.
Participants can also receive tickets to attend the 7:30 PM Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra concert in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
Hosted by Dr. David Cook, associate professor of clarinet and principal clarinet of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra.
Cost: $10 if registered before Jan. 29
$15 if registered after Jan. 29th registration
No refunds
Send registration payment (check payable to Millikin University) by mail to:
Dr. David Cook
School of Music
Millikin University
1184 W Main St
Decatur, IL 62522This program is partially supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and the Decatur Area Arts Council.
Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet’s appearance is partially supported by Vandoren USA and The Music Shoppe, Inc.
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Join Millikin University faculty on Saturday, Feb. 7, for a day exploring all things percussion!
Junior high and high school students will get hands-on instruction during clinics led by Millikin’s Percussion Faculty, before performing with the University’s Percussion Ensembles. Attendees will also take in a concert by the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra featuring a solo performance by one of Millikin’s student percussionists!
Learn more & register at: millikin.edu/Featured-Events
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Millikin Guitar Day provides a full day of enriching guitar-related activities for high school guitarists. The event will include masterclasses and workshops on guitar performance, technique, and ensemble, and an evening concert given by Millikin's world-class faculty. There will be additional opportunities to explore Millikin's state-of-the-art recording facility Millitrax, take a tour of Millikin, meet with admissions representatives, and attend and participate in classes that Millikin guitarists are involved in. The event is led by Dr. Mark Tonelli, coordinator of guitar studies, Prof. Michael Hull, director of the classical guitar ensemble, and students from Millikin's esteemed guitar studio. We hope you will join us for this fantastic event!
Registration: $10 if received by 2/15; $15 at event
Lunch and dinner will be provided.
Please make out checks to Millikin University and mail to:
Mark Tonelli
Coordinator of Guitar Studies
School of Music
Millikin University
1184 W. Main St.
Decatur, IL 62522
Contacts:
Mark Tonelli - mtonelli@millikin.edu
Brian Justison - bjustison@millikin.edu
Christina Jones - chrjones@millikin.edu -
First awarded in 2003, the Hollis Prize represents the highest form of recognition bestowed upon a vocal or instrumental performer at Millikin University. The Hollis prize is unique among undergraduate music competitions in light of its recital performance format and rigorous audition process.
Students compete in a semi-final round for the chance to compete before a live audience in the final round event. The winner of the final round receives a monetary award of $3000 and an opportunity to perform a solo recital at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin; runners up receive a cash awards of $750 & $500.
The annual competition is made possible by Dr. C. Kimm Hollis, a 1972 Millikin graduate and retired department chair, Professor of Music, and Artist in Residence Emeritus at Hanover College in Hanover, IN.
2024 Winner: Victor Lawton II
Victor is a senior music performance major from Fort Lauderdale and a clarinet student of Dr. David Cook.
Victor was joined by fellow Hollis Prize student finalists David Gartner (senior/voice) and Colton Middleton (junior/percussion) at the Hollis Prize Competition Recital on April 6.
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The Millikin Vocal Festival is an event designed to inject excitement into your students early in the school year with a Festival Choir experience. Join us for two days of singing, concerts from Millikin choirs, and fun!
Meet our Festival Conductors
Richard Bjella has distinguished himself as a conductor, clinician, choral pedagogue, and choral arranger around the world. In 2014 Bjella was appointed Artistic Director of the San Antonio Chamber Choir. Their most recent CD, UNFROZEN: A Baltic Christmas received Grammy attention in 2018. He retired from Texas Tech University in 2017, but previous to his work in Lubbock, Bjella served 25 years as Director of Choral Studies at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music, leading the Concert Choir in an acclaimed performance at the 2009 National ACDA Convention. The Texas Tech University Choir has been celebrated for its excellence in Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, at TMEA convention appearances, and at the 2013 ACDA Convention. Bjella has presented workshops at several ACDA national and regional conventions and has been a headliner for countless events from Alaska to Florida for teachers and students alike. It has also been his honor to conduct and present masterclasses around the world and at over 400 festivals and workshops in 34 states, including several appearances at Lincoln Center, Orchestra Hall, and Carnegie Hall. He has also presented workshops and conducted in SOUTH KOREA, ENGLAND, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, LITHUANIA, COLUMBIA, HAITI, ESTONIA, and ITALY. He is looking forward to leading the European tour for the Texas Choral Directors to Vienna, Prague, and Budapest this summer. He is also deeply honored to be 2025 conductor of the Texas All-State Mixed Choir, performing in San Antonio at the TMEA Convention and at the national ACDA convention in Dallas. He is also active in the promotion of creative choral programming and is a contributing writer for The Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy (2017) with his chapter, The Art of Successful Programming: Study, Selection, and Synthesis. Bjella was the recipient of a ‘2017 Professing Excellence Award’ at Texas Tech University and the Lawrence University teaching award in 2008. This award is given to outstanding faculty who go “above and beyond,” both inside and outside the classroom, to impact student learning and academic success. He was also honored to receive the ‘Morris Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Wisconsin Choral Directors.
Special Guest Performer
. The “engaging” (New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Washington Post has hailed the Cantus sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power” and refers to the “spontaneous grace” of its music making. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the group nothing short of “exquisite.” As one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has come to prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process, creating programs that give voice to shared human experiences. As the Star Tribune has written, “The main hallmark of the Cantus sound has always been sheer quality and an unbroken belief in the special way that vocal music has of warming and invigorating the human spirit.”
Cantus enjoys a vigorous schedule of national and international touring, in addition to home concerts in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Cantus has performed at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, UCLA, San Francisco Performances, Tanglewood and Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. Cantus also makes all of its home concerts available online. This pandemic-prompted innovation has brought the ensemble’s programs to audiences spanning 50 states and ten countries.
In the 2023-24 season, Cantus performs Brave– a program examines what it means to identify as a man in a society that prizes conformity over personal authenticity. With works by composers from Fanny Mendelssohn to Sara Bareilles, Brave takes a nuanced look at evolving ideas of masculinity. The program also includes works by contemporary innovators like Mari Esabel Valverde and Sydney Guillaume, as well as a new multi-movement work by Griffin Candey. Cantus’ Brave is a powerful program that asks: Are you strong enough to be sensitive?
Cantus records for the UK-based Signum Classics label which has released the popular Into the Light, COVID-19 Sessions, and Manifesto, an album of world premiere recordings of works by Ysaÿe Barnwell, David Lang, Sydney Guillaume, Libby Larsen, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and others. In the fall of 2022, Signum released Into the Light, the first new Holiday album from Cantus in over a decade. Cantus also has a deep catalog of recordings released on the group’s eponymous label.
Committed to the expansion of the vocal music repertoire, Cantus actively commissions new music and seeks to unearth rarely performed repertoire for low voices. Cantus has received commissioning grants from New Music USA, the National Endowment for the Arts, Chorus America, American Composers Forum and Chamber Music America. In line with Cantus’ ongoing commitment to fostering new works for tenors, baritones, and basses, the ensemble has partnered with composer and former Cantus bass Timothy C. Takach and Graphite Publishing on the Cantus Choral Series, distributing Cantus’ signature arrangements and compositions for ensembles everywhere to perform and enjoy.
Cantus has a rich history of collaborations with other performing arts organizations, including the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Pops, Chanticleer, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Lorelei Ensemble, Theater Latté Da and the James Sewell Ballet. The ensemble is heard frequently on both classical public radio nationwide and on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. 2024 will see a collaboration with international brass quintet, Canadian Brass.
Integral to the Cantus mission is its commitment to preserve and deepen music education in the schools. Cantus works with more than 5,000 students each year in masterclass and workshop settings across the country and has visited 31 Minnesota high schools throughout the 14-year history of its award-winning High School Residency program. Cantus also presents a Young and Emerging Composers’ Competition, to encourage the creation of new repertoire through cash prizes, a performance, recording and potential publication of winning compositions.
About our Festival
Festival Choir
This choir takes more than 200 students from zero to performance in just over 28 hours. Through top tier teaching, support from our Millikin students, and pure musical excitement, the students are brought to a musical mountain top. Students return home ready to take on the new school year!
Vocal Coaching
Students can select to sign up for 10-minute 1-on-1 vocal coaching with our distinguished voice faculty.
Solo Competition
This solo competition grows out of the vocal coaching sessions. A cash awards will be given to the top 3 singers who also have the honor of performing that evening on the Festival Finale Concert!
Directors Events
Directors will be provided with opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, and earn professional development credit by attending sessions from our distinguished faculty, rehearsal observation, and singing in the Director’s Chorus.
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All-State Band & Orchestra WorkshopSunday, September 21, 2025 1:00–4:30 PM
Free admission
Registration deadline: Monday, September 15
A workshop for high school woodwind, brass and percussion musicians preparing for the ILMEA All-State auditions. Participants will work with Millikin University faculty and students to fine tune their audition materials and receive insights on how to play the best audition possible.
For more information, email Dr. David Cook, Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies at dcook@millikin.edu and/or Dr. Neal Smith, Director of Bands at nsmith@millikin.edu
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Millikin University School of Music Double Reed Chamber Fest 2024
Saturday, November 9 1–5 PM
Cost: $10 (includes an exclusive Double Reed Chamber Fest T-shirt)
Hosted by Professor Evan Tammen, Adjunct Instructor of Oboe at Millikin University and Principal Oboe of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, and Professor Claire Taylor, Adjunct Instructor of Bassoon at Millikin University and Principal Bassoon of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Double Reed Chamber Fest is a unique opportunity for oboists and bassoonists to get back in shape for concert band season and celebrate life as a double reed player! Participants will have the opportunity to work on different aspects of double reed playing in small and large group settings, as well as hear performances by student and faculty ensembles.
The Closing Concert at 4 PM in Kaeuper Hall (Perkinson Music Center) is free and open to the public.
Participants can attend the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra concert "American Soundscapes” at 7:30 PM in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, featuring Professor Claire Taylor as soloist on John Williams’ bassoon concerto The Five Sacred Trees.
To guarantee T-shirt, please register by Friday, November 1. Send registration payment via mail to:
Dr. David Cook
School of Music
Millikin University
1184 W. Main St.
Decatur, IL 62522Checks should be made payable to Millikin University; indicate Double Reed Chamber Fest in the subject line. No refunds.
Questions? Email Professor Evan Tammen at etammen@millikin.edu, Professor Claire Taylor at cetaylor@millikin.edu and/or Dr. David Cook, Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies, at dcook@millikin.edu.
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2025 Millikin Summer Piano Camp: June 8-14
Millikin University’s School of Music is pleased to offer its Summer Piano Camp for students ages 12 and up (including adult students). Over the course of six days, intermediate to advanced students will have the opportunity to refine their skills at our all-Steinway school under the guidance of Dr. Chung-Ha Kim, Dr. Jun Hong 'Ivan' Jiang, Dr. Samuel Gingher and Dr. Chee Hyeon Choi. Activities include masterclasses, private lessons, pedagogical presentations, collaborative piano, faculty and student recitals, and competition opportunities. This camp will conclude with a formal student gala recital in Kaeuper Hall, which will be open to the public. Additionally, participants will have a chance to enter the Millikin Piano Camp Competition and compete for awards and $4,000 Millikin Music Scholarship. The competition includes junior, senior, piano ensemble, and concerto categories. There will be lots of individual one-on-one instruction as well as collaborative opportunities. This year's focus will be on music by Franz Liszt and Women Composers.
Registration deadline: Residents- May 8, Commuter- May 31
Cost: Residents- $625, Commuter- $400, Adult Day Pass $75 per day
(MCAA reserves the right to cancel any camps due to low enrollment)
Select a Schedule below
Resident Commuter Adult Student
~Piano Camp Slideshows~
Instructors
Dr. Chung-Ha Kim
Chung-Ha Kim grew up in Germany and moved to the US in 1995 to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. She subsequently earned a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Read full bio...
Dr. Jun Hong 'Ivan' Jiang
Ivan (Junhong) Jiang has appeared as concerto soloist on prominent venues such as Boston’s Paramount Theater and the Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center. Jiang is a frequent prizewinner in competitions, such as the University of Illinois Concerto Competition, Artist Presentation Society Competition, Luminarts Classical Piano Fellowship, the Masters of Piano Concerto Competition from Great Composers Competition Series, and the MAP International Online Music Competition. Read full bio...
Dr. Chee Hyeon Choi
Chee Hyeon Choi is an Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is an active recitalist, clinician, and educator, having frequently presented and performed at international and national conferences and venues. Dr. Choi has previously taught at Bradley University, Millikin University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her master's and doctoral degrees. She also served on the faculty of the Illinois Summer Youth Music piano camps and currently directs the University of Louisiana Piano Institute.
Dr. Samuel Gingher
Dr. Samuel Gingher serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Class Piano at East Carolina University, with previous faculty appointments at Northern Arizona University, Millikin University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Bradley University. His research interests include classical piano improvisation pedagogy and the discovery and performance of rare masterworks. Dr. Gingher’s world-premiere recordings of piano trios and four-hand piano fantasies by Carl Czerny are available on the Naxos label. Dr. Gingher has been the recipient of several awards, including the Krannert Debut Artist Award and first prize in Brevard Music Festival’s Solo Piano Competition. He has performed and taught at piano and chamber music festivals in Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, California, West Virginia, Austria and Switzerland. With MTNA, he has served as clinician and adjudicator at conferences in Illinois, New Mexico, Arizona and North Carolina. Dr. Gingher has additional experience with composition, jazz, and audio engineering.
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Flute Day 2025
Cost: $10 (includes an exclusive Flute Day T-shirt)Hosted by Professor Amanda Pond, Adjunct Instructor of Flute at Millikin University and Principal Flute of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Flute Day is a celebration of all things flute for intermediate to advanced flutists of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to work on different aspects of flute playing in small and large group settings, visit with flute specialty shop Windy City Flutes, and hear performances by student and faculty ensembles.
The Closing Concert at 4 p.m. in Kaeuper Hall (Perkinson Music Center) is free and open to the public.
Participants can attend the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert “Folklore” at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
Send registration payment via mail to:
Dr. David Cook
School of Music
Millikin University
1184 W. Main St.
Decatur, IL 62522Checks should be made payable to Millikin University; indicate Flute Day in the subject line. No refunds.
Questions? Email Professor Amanda Pond at apond@millikin.edu and/or Dr. David Cook, Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies, at dcook@millikin.edu.
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Piano Day 2025
Millikin Piano Day is a FREE one-day festival for intermediate to advanced piano students of all ages. Attendees will hone their skills for auditions, festivals, solo & ensemble contests, competitions, and explore endless possibilities of being a pianist. Attendees will participate in masterclasses, sessions, and lessons throughout the day and perform together at the gala concert. All sessions are offered both in-person and online. Participants will have a chance to be awarded $4,000 Millikin Music Scholarship.
What a truly exciting opportunity for pianists to learn and interact with the 1981 Leeds International Piano Competition Gold Medalist Ian Hobson, the distinguished Millikin alumni Susan Lutz (’86) and Leon Lewis-Nicol (’20), and the Millikin Keyboard Coordinator Pei-I Wang at the 2025 Millikin Piano Day on Saturday, March 1 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Perkinson Music Center! This event promises to be an inspiring journey of growth and artistic exploration, where young pianists or adults immerse themselves in the world of piano music and the piano-related industry. Attendees will have the chance to participate in masterclasses, receive mini-lessons, performances, engage in sessions, and have meaningful conversations with the artists. Join us at Millikin University for a celebration of talent, passion, and the ceaseless magic of piano music!
Attendees who register by Sunday, Feb. 22 will receive:
- One FREE LUNCH voucher: 12-1 pm, University Commons
- Exhibition from the Steinway Piano Gallery
- One complimentary ticket to attend the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert “Folklore” at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
Questions: Email Dr. Pei-I Wang, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at pwang@millikin.edu
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Millikin’s most beloved event returns signaling the beginning of the holiday season with a sumptuous evening of carols, choirs and candlelight. Over 200 musicians join for this joyous musical feast. Songs from past centuries combined with familiar carols and arrangements create an evening of seasonal warmth for the whole family.
Saturday, December 7th
KFAC
2:00 & 7:30pmSunday, December 8th
KFAC
2:00pmTickets: $16/14/12
Available at KFAC Ticket Office (424-6318) or online
