The Ithaca College School of Music will host a selection of world-renowned artists as its endowed concert series return for the 2021-22 season. All of the performances are free and open to the public and will take place in Ford Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music. Masks are required at all times indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Angela and William Haines Young Concert Artists Residency
The season will kick off with its lone fall offering on Wednesday, Sept. 22, with a performance by bass-baritone William Socolof, a recent winner of the Young Concert Artists Competition in New York City. Socolof has sung with some of the country’s most prestigious classical institutions, in repertoire ranging from chamber music and art song to musical theatre and opera. His 8:15 p.m. recital will include works by Debussy, Mahler, and Schubert.
Robert G. Boehmler Community Foundation Series
The spring portion of the season will open with ArcoMusical, a world music ensemble that reimagines the Afro-Brazilian musical bow known as the berimbau through unique and powerful chamber music. The group will hold a number of classes and workshops with students throughout their residency and give their public concert on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 8:15 p.m.
Rachel S. Thaler Concert Pianist Series
The long-running series will welcome Janina Fialkowska—“one of the grandes dames of piano playing”—to the Ford Hall stage at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14. An international concert pianist for over 40 years, Fialkowska has been praised for her musical integrity and refreshing natural approach, and was dubbed by Arthur Rubinstein a “born Chopin interpreter,” laying the foundation for her lifelong identification with the composer.
Louis K. Thaler Concert Violinist Series
Violinist Pamela Frank, joined by pianist Stephen Prutsman, will give a concert at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29. A winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, Frank has established an outstanding international reputation across an unusually varied range of performing activity. As part of her residency, Frank will hold a student session of her newest venture, which uses expertise from music and physical therapy for injury prevention and treatment of musicians.
Shirley and Chas Hockett Chamber Music Series
Hailed for “bringing a new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing and intelligent,” the Harlem Quartet will perform at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. The ensemble was founded in 2006 by the Sphinx Organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to building diversity in classical music and providing access to music education in underserved communities. The group engages new audiences with varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers.
Angela and William Haines Young Concert Artists Residency
The spring portion of the residency will feature double bassist Xavier Foley, who will perform at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. Known for communicating his virtuosity and passion for music on the double bass—which is rarely presented as a solo instrument—Foley has been awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant and Paiko Foundation Fellowship as well as first prizes in the International Society of Bassists Competition and Young Concert Artists International Auditions.
Manley and Doriseve Thaler Vocal Concert Series
At this time, the School of Music is reworking plans for this series due to COVID-19 protocols. Please stay tuned for an announcement about this year’s event.
For more information on these and other School of Music performances, visit the online concert calendar.