Dana Wilson

Gail Williams '73

Construction of the Center for Music at Ithaca College is being funded by a two-year, $10.5 million capital campaign, which has already received more than $7.2 million in commitments given in recognition of James J. Whalen's 22 years as College president. "This will preserve and enhance the quality of our program," said Whalen, who will be joined at the groundbreaking by School of Music dean Arthur Ostrander, capital campaign chair Marjorie Rooke Schwab '69, and several members of the campaign committee, including David W. Sass '57, vice chairman of the board of trustees.

The concert in Ford Hall will include a performance of Charles A. Dana Professor of Music Dana Wilson's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, featuring Gail Williams '73 as soloist. Williams, associate principal horn with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has performed as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony under Sir George Solti, the San Antonio Orchestra, and a number of smaller orchestras across the United States. She performs regularly with the Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Summit Brass, the latter a brass ensemble comprising musicians from the New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and St. Louis symphonies. She frequently tours with the group, with which she has made seven recordings. A member of the faculty at Northwestern University, Williams was recently awarded an honorary doctor of music degree by Ithaca College.