The Bienen School of Music's upcoming Symphonic Wind Ensemble's "Vital Currents -- the Music of Viet Cuong" concert, at 7:30 p.m. (CST) Friday, November 14, 2025, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, received funding from both the Academic Enrichment and Grants committees, earlier this year.
Robert Taylor, professor of conducting and director of Northwestern bands, proposed the project and also will conduct the program featuring Vietnamese-American guest composer Viet Cuong.
The concert will launch a weekend of audio/visual recordings of three of composer Viet Cuong's compositions. Taylor's project also includes a two-week intensive artist residency programs. Three acclaimed Chicago-based ensembles -- Eighth Blackbird, Third Coast Percussion, and Nois, will perform with Northwestern's Symphonic Wind Ensemble on Nov. 14.