ABOUT THE JAZZ ENSEMBLES
The Jazz Studies area at Ithaca College features three large jazz ensembles. The premier group is the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble which rehearses Tuesday and Thursday evenings and is led by jazz studies director Mike Titlebaum. All the groups perform at least one Ford Hall concert per semester and also perform elsewhere on campus and in the community. All Ithaca College students regardless of major are permitted to audition for the jazz ensembles.
On December 6th, 2010, the IC Jazz Ensemble performed with legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis in a free concert at Ford Hall. Some of the other guest artists featured with the bands over the years are Marian McPartland, Walter White, Thad Jones, Peter Leitch, Phil Woods, John Stowell, Andy LaVerne, Bob Sneider, Gary Smulyan, Steve Wilson, Jeff Ballard, Stephanie Nakasian, Tom Harrell, Hal Galper, Marvin Stamm, and many others. In recent years, guest artists have included jazz trumpet artists Terell Stafford, John Sneider, Rick Henly and John Bailey, Eastman School of Music Professor Bill Dobbins, world-renowned bassist and educator Chuck Israels, former Ithaca College jazz director Steve Brown, and world-renowned jazz pedagogue Fred Sturm.
For audition repertoire and information on how to sign up to audition, please visit:
Click below to hear to the IC Jazz Ensemble perform director Mike Titlebaum's "Too Many Things" from a recent recording session:
- Too Many Things by Mike Titlebaum, performed by the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble
On March 5th, 2012, Tthe IC Jazz Ensemble performed a complete "head chart" concert where all the pieces were learned by ear and memorized. The complete performance was web streamed live, and can also be viewed in its entirely at the School of Music's On Demand page:
COMPOSITION CONTEST
The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble announces the 2012 Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest. For the 2012 contest, all entries must feature trumpet soloist, or at least contain a significant trumpet solo portion. Entries will be accepted in two categories:
- high school students (have not yet started full-time college study), and
- all others.
The winning pieces in both categories will be performed and recorded by the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble with world-renowned trumpet soloist Terell Stafford who will serve as guest artist at the concert on Friday, December 7th, 2012.
To view the complete set of rules and download the entry form, please see the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest page.
CONCERTS AND EVENTS
Ithaca College jazz concerts events are now listed on their own page:
/music/ensembles/jazzensemble/jazzconcerts/
QUESTIONS
Questions about the jazz program at Ithaca College? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page.
