Ithaca College

The Borealis Wind Quintet, nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award in the Chamber Music Category, is acclaimed as one of America’s preeminent chamber ensembles. The highest musical integrity, irresistible energy and five-fold charisma distinguish Borealis in the chamber music field. Audiences love their exquisite programming that includes the finest of the classics, engaging commissioned works, opera arias and works for piano and winds. 

The Washington Post praised their “sensitive collaborations that have a sophisticated and cosmopolitan air.” Peter G. Davies of the New York Times described one concert as “a polished, elegantly turned performance…each work received lively, expert and musicianly treatment by this skilled and exceptionally talented chamber group.” Joseph Horowitz, also of the New York Times describes “lively communicative readings…the performance was a scintillating one.” The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that “they demonstrated the sort of rapport that characterizes the very best chamber playing.”

Katherine Fink, flute
Tamar Beach Wells, oboe
Kathryn Taylor, clarinet
Dan Culpepper, horn
Wayne Hileman, bassoon

As one of America’s leading pianists, Leon Bates has earned for himself a place on the international concert circuit. His performance schedule has included dates across the United States, in Canada, Italy, France, Austria, Ireland, England as well as Africa. He is invited to perform on the major concert stages around the world and audiences and critics find his musical spirit to possess all the elements of greatness.

Mr. Bates has performed with many of the major U.S. symphonies such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Detroit Symphony and the Boston Symphony. In Europe, he has performed with the Vienna Symphony, the Basel Symphony, the Radio-Orchestra of Dublin, the Strasbourg Symphony, Orchestra Sinfonica dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Malmo Symphony of Sweden and more. Whether in recital or as a soloist with orchestra, his praises are enumerated in many different languages — but they all agree that Leon Bates is a major artist and one of America’s best.

The Full Program

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of Ithaca College, we are offering a new pricing structure and special admissions program. Our “bring a student” program now offers free admission to any student up to seniors in high school, plus one adult ticket per student. Complimentary tickets may be picked up in the lobby on the night of the concert, or you may reserve them in advance by contacting the school of Music at 607-274-3717. A regular seasonal subscription price for all three concerts is $27. Individual tickets at the door cost $11.

*Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the School of Music at 607-274-3717.