Ithaca College hosts a yearly choral music composition contest. On the day of the festival the top six entries are performed by high school choirs from throughout New York. The festival starts in the morning with the introduction of the groups, then continues throughout the day with rehearsals and workshops. Each choir works with the composer of the piece that is to be performed. In the afternoon, all the groups meet in Ford Hall Auditorium and rehearse the massed choir piece with Mr. Doebler. The Ithaca College Choir performs its annual commissioned work having worked with the composer during the afternoon rehearsal and workshop. There is a concert in the evening at 7:00 p.m. in Ford Hall Auditorium in which all the works are performed, and the winner of the Robert Campbell ’40, M.S. ’50 Endowed Choral Composition Prize is announced.
2009 Winners and Finalists
First Place:
Jeffrey Cobb: Invictus
performed by Niagara Wheatfield Senior High Concert Choir (NY), David Curtis,
conductor, Robert Hull pianist.
Second Place:
Stephen Bouma: Romeo's Soliloquy performed by Westborough High School Concert Choir (MA), Joseph Stillitano,
conductor
Other finalists:
Brent Allred
Selma, Indiana
Rick Bartlett
Warner Robbins, Georgia
Jordan Bennett
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Melissa Roth
Richardson, Texas
Participating High School Choirs:
Ithaca High School Choir
Arthur Loomis, conductor
Newark High School Concert Choir
Jean Bendix, conductor
Westborough High School Concert Choir
Joseph Stillitano, conductor
West Genesee High School Chorale
Anthony Alvaro, conductor
Ward Melville High School Camerata
Linda Contino, conductor
Niagara Wheatfield Senior High Concert Choir
David G. Curtis, conductor
The Ithaca College Choir Presented the World Premiere of Steven Stucky's Gravity’s Dream
