Career Opportunities
Ithaca graduates pursue careers in professional performance, teaching, arts administration, music merchandising, instrument manufacturing, recreational music, music publishing, sound recording, and the entertainment industry. In fact, Ithaca's graduates work in almost every music field imaginable. They have performed with the Ars Nova String Quartet, Metropolitan Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cologne Opera, Dallas Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony, New York Philharmonic, New York Voices, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Stuttgart Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Marine Band ("The President's Own").
They teach privately, in public schools, and at such institutions as Oberlin College, Harvard University, Boston University, the University of Michigan, the New England Conservatory of Music, Northwestern University, SUC at Potsdam, SUC at Fredonia, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
Music students begin their studies at Ithaca in the first year seminar, Career Orientation, which provides the opportunity to explore career choices and directions. Visiting professional musicians as well as alumni offer their expertise and experience as learning tools for first year students.
Not only do Ithaca students have the advantage of the school's strong reputation in music circles throughout the country, but they also have assistance in career planning from a member of the music staff, who coordinates career assistance with the College's Office of Career Planning and Placement. In addition, many alumni, such as those listed below, are actively involved with the School of Music and serve as sources for career opportunities in their profession. As a result, the school has achieved an exceptional level of job-placement success. Whichever field they choose, all music graduates have this common bond: they are serious musicians who evolved into professionals within Ithaca's supportive, distinctive community. Not only do Ithaca graduates have the advantage of the school's strong reputation in music circles throughout the country, but they also have assistance in career planning from a member of the music staff in cooperation with the College's Office of Career Planning and Placement. In addition, many alumni, such as those listed below, are actively involved with the School of Music and serve as sources for career opportunities in their profession. As a result, the school has achieved an exceptional level of job-placement success.
Frank Battisti '53, M.S. '64 - professor and chairman, Department of Music Education, New England Conservatory of Music
Arnold Broido '41- chairman, Theodore Presser Co., music publishers
Patricia Craig '65 - soprano, Metropolitan Opera Company
Tom Hall '77 - music director and conductor, Baltimore Choral Art Society
Jim Hynes '78 - studio trumpet player, performing in "Cats" and other Broadway shows; recordings with Cyndi Lauper, James Galway
Jonathan Menkis '81 - assistant principal French horn, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Robert Perry '52 - cello, Cleveland Orchestra
Clifford Spohr '61 - co-principal string bass, Dallas Symphony
Sharon Sweet, M.M. '78 - soprano; performances with Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper, Berlin Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera
Gail Williams '73 - associate principal French horn, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Peter Eldridge '82, Darmon Meader '84, and Kim Nazarian '83 - New York Voices vocal jazz group
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Last modified: 31 May 2000