Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Since its founding in 1976, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (CCO) has always had ties to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The CCO presents orchestral, chamber and educational concerts, among others to a local audience. The CCO includes many faculty members and is occasionally augmented by Ithaca College students. In addition, many faculty members have served on the board.
Faculty members Conrad Alexander, Christina Bouey, Chris Coletti, Tristen Jarvis, Wendy Mehne, Allison Parramore, Will Porter, Diego Vasquez are current members of the CCO.
Community School of Music and Arts
The premiere organization of the Community School of Music and Arts, located in downtown Ithaca, is the Ithaca Children’s Choir, a comprehensive choral program for children and youth.
Through the partnership with IC, Ithaca College students are given the opportunity to intern and volunteer with the choir. In addition, this is a highly recommended site for music field experience students to observe faculty and students working with K-12 children. Each summer, the young people of this organization serve as the laboratory choir for the Choral Music Experience Workshop at Ithaca College.
Ithaca Concert Band
The Ithaca Concert Band is co-conducted by Art Carichner (lecturer in Music Education) and Rick Eleck (IC alumni). Founded in 1976 the band is open to all community members and performs a dozen concerts per year.
VOICES Multicultural Chorus
Baurch Whitehead is the director of the VOICES Multicultural Chorus in downtown Ithaca. All members of the community are welcome to join the chorus which promotes racial and cultural harmony through the experience of singing world music. This 100-member chorus performs at local schools, senior homes, as well as community sponsored events.
Community Unity Music, Media, and Arts Program
The Community Unity Music, Media, and Arts Program is an after-school and summer program providing low to no cost multicultural instruction in music, video production, and other art forms. Located at Southside Community Center and Ithaca College, Baruch Whitehead is one of the directors of this program. Ithaca College music students are given the opportunity to provide teaching assistance.
Ithaca Community Orchestra
The Ithaca Community Orchestra was founded in 2001 by a group of local musicians for the purpose of exploring and performing great works of music for the symphony orchestra. Members enjoy an enriching experience in a stress-free environment that centers on meeting them where they are while promoting growth, fellowship, and deeper appreciation of the musical arts. The ensemble gathers weekly for rehearsal and offers several Ithaca-area performances each year. Aaron Burgess (Assistant Professor of Music Education and IC alumnus) serves as music director of the ensemble. For additional information, please visit the ICO website.