The work of Niko D. Schroeder reflects his Midwestern (U.S.) upbringing through rugged joy, unpretentious transparency, and wry humor. His sound and video art departs from the popular and mundane—reconstructing, recontextualizing, or simply appreciating the commonplace. Processes of focal shift, fragmentation, and self-reference play out, influenced by Niko’s early experiences with minimalism, conceptualism, American folk music, and basement-dwelling rock bands.
Niko’s collaborative spirit is reflected in his work as a bandleader, music engraver, educator, and audio engineer. Cherished projects include solo outfit Niko & his 10,000 Tonne Flying Machine, polka quartet The Bierkeller Boys Oompah Band, and past endeavors like indie-pop band The Lake Effects and folk/classical quintet Waiting for Niko. Other performers of his music include Sō Percussion, Alarm Will Sound, Nadar Ensemble, the Sinta Quartet, Orkest de Ereprijs, Invoke, Khemia Ensemble, and the Grand Valley State New Music Ensemble. His work as a composer, performer, and engineer has been presented by the Nederlands Dans Theater, Music Sacra Maastricht, Het Orgelpark, Beerthoven, the Missouri International Composers Festival, the World Chess Hall of Fame, and others, and can be heard on the Innova Recordings, Klavier, and slashsound labels
Niko studied at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Grand Valley State University. He was awarded University of Missouri’s Sinquefield Prize, the university’s highest honor for a composer. At Grand Valley State, he was twice named Composer of the Year, won the concerto competition for wind band, and was awarded the Glenn A. Niemeyer Award — the highest distinction for student contributions to the university.
He lives in the Netherlands with his spouse and their two cats, Johnny Cash and June Carter, and is one of few full-time artists to co-own a professional sports organization.
Niko D. Schroeder 