The Ithaca College Wind Ensemble was founded in 1981 and is the premier wind band at the School of Music.  Following in the rich tradition of Patrick Conway and Walter Beeler, the ensemble, conducted by Stephen Peterson, presents some 10 concerts annually both on and off campus, including such venues as Lincoln Center. The Ensemble presented a highly successful tour of England and Ireland in 1998, and returned to Ireland in the spring of 2007.  Through a demanding schedule of concerts, tours, and recordings, the ensemble has developed a broad reputation for performing excellence, innovative programming, and commitment to new music. Concert programs include a wide variety of music including wind band classics, chamber works from a variety of historic periods, new commissions, and those newer works that serve to expand the evolving repertoire for the wind ensemble.

Guest conductors and composers from around the globe who have worked with the ensemble include Samuel Adler, David Amran, Frank Battisti, Warren Benson, John Corigliano, Michael Daugherty, David Dzubay, Lukas Foss, Arnald Gabriel, John Harbison, Robert Jager, Karel Husa, Libby Larsen, David Maslanka, Ron Nelson, Larry Rachleff, Carl St. Clair, Gunther Schuller, Joseph Schwantner, Richard Strange, Frank Ticheli, and John Whitwell.

Membership in the 48-member ensemble is determined by audition in the fall of each academic year. The wind and percussion players in the Wind Ensemble are among the most talented in the School of Music.

Please click on "Documents" to the left to hear samples of the Wind Ensemble's performances.