Comprising both faculty and students, the Ithaca College Contemporary Ensemble focuses on the music of our time, with emphasis on the music of living composers. Currently under the direction of Christopher Coletti and Ho-Yin Kwok, ICCE provides a uniquely formative and intense performance experience for IC students. The ensemble performs two concerts a year; its programs also include music by Ithaca College composition faculty and students, alumni, and guest composers.
In past seasons, ICCE has performed works by established and emerging composers both American and from many other countries in the world including pieces by Beat Furrer, Bruno Mantovani, Arthur Levering and Sophia Gubaidulina. ICCE plays an important role in programming works by the Karel Husa Visiting Professors and has recently performed works by Melinda Wagner, Steven Stucky, Steven Mackey and Augusta Read Thomas.
The ICCE (previously known as "Kulmusik") performed at the 20th International New Music Festival "Sound Ways" in St. Petersburg, Russia. The concert took place at Glinka Hall of the Philharmonic, one of St. Petersburg's most beautiful and prestigious halls. Former directors of the ICCO include composer Sally Lamb and co-directors Jeffery Meyer and Richard Faria.
During the 2013-14 season, ICCE was featured within the Ithaca College Latin American Music Festival, performing on tour at the Americas Society in New York. The 2014-15 season included a performance of Steve Stucky's Ad Parnassum in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.