Ithaca College

The Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jeffery Meyer, was one of 26 American orchestras to win a 2010–11 ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Award for Adventurous Programming. ASCAP and the League of American Orchestras present the award annually to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge their audiences, build their repertoires and increase interest in the music of our time.

The Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra took first place in the Collegiate Orchestras category. Other winners include the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

“It is a true distinction for the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra to win this national award,” said Meyer. “The IC students in the ensemble come away from their orchestra experiences having studied and performed not only the major works of the repertoire but also having become intimately acquainted with composers and music of our time. This aspect of their education and training is essential for our art form to survive and thrive in the future. These experiences provide them with a much greater number of options and opportunities as performers and teachers.”

Composed of 90 to 100 musicians, the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to performing symphonic repertoire from the baroque through the 20th century, as well as contemporary works. The Symphony Orchestra presents five to eight concerts a year, including the annual Concerto Concert, at which winners of the School of Music’s Annual Concerto Competition perform with the orchestra.

Guest conductors have included Daniel Hege (Syracuse Symphony) and José-Luis Novo (Annapolis Symphony). In addition, the orchestra has collaborated with many of today’s most prominent composers including Joan Tower, Jennifer Higdon, Chen Yi, Karel Husa and Michael Gandolfi. The ensemble has performed to high acclaim in Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Ithaca “Light in Winter” Festival, the New York State School Music Association Conference and New York University.

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world’s largest repertory, totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 410,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. For more information, visit www.ascap.com.

League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras supports and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its membership of nearly 900 orchestras across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned symphonies and community groups to summer festivals and youth ensembles. Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers and business partners. More information is available at www.americanorchestras.org to learn more.