The Ithaca College Women's Chorale, conducted by Janet Galván, is one of five choral ensembles in the School of Music. The group includes between 50 and 65 singers, both music and non-music majors, freshmen through graduate students. The Women’s Chorale has distinguished itself for its innovative programming and performs a variety of repertoire that balances master composers from all musical periods, compositions of high quality from less celebrated composers, contemporary pieces that stretch the boundaries of choral sound, and works that embody the world's many musical heritages.

They have performed on tour in Ireland, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, and, as part of the Choral Union, at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Other performances have taken place at the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, the national and regional conventions of the Music Educators National Conference, and at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Conference. The ensemble was the resident artist choir at the first International Women in Song Festival in Toronto, Canada. They have worked with many guest artists including Horace Boyer, Libby Larsen, Chen Yi, Gregg Smith, Lukas Foss, Ron Nelson, and Samuel Adler. The Women's Chorale can be heard on their CD, Cantan which feature the treble compositions of Francisco N??ez, produced in collaboration with the composer, and on numerous CDs of live performances at music conventions.

Listen to the Chorale.

Quotes

"As an Ithaca College graduate (75'), I am particularly proud of the work Janet Galvan is doing. Her Women's Chorale sings repertoire that few others dare explore and they sing with a confidence that touches us deep within, a true gift from the world of excellence known as Ithaca College." --Nick Page (Page is a renowned Boston based Song Leader, Composer, Writer, and Workshop Leader. He is the founding director of the Mystic Chorale.)

"I was deeply impressed by your great performance of my choral arrangement Chinese Mountain Songs in the evening concert of my compositions, when I was the Karel Husa Visiting Professor at Ithaca College. Your performance is so vivid and passionate, youthful and energetic, yet the Chinese pronunciation is so precise and accurate. You have really sung in my expression and style in my composition. Thank you gratefully for your support." --Composer Chen Yi

"The visit of the Ithaca College Women's Chorale was certainly a highlight event for the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. While the high standard of choral singing came as no surprise to anyone who has heard this superlative ensemble, we were particularly impressed by the liturgical sensitivity brought to bear on Masses sung with the Benedictine community at Glenstal Abbey and the Augustinian community in Limerick city. The beauty and liturgical appropriateness of the repertoire left one with a tremendous sense of the ritual and spiritual power of this song." -- Helen Phelan, Course Director, MA Chant and Ritual Song Irish World Academy of Music and Dance University of Limerick, Ireland

"The Ithaca Women's Chorale represents the finest among women's choirs in the United States. The IWC embraces a diversity of musical practices, sings beautifully with deep understanding of the music performed, and is no doubt a flagship organization for Ithaca College. Janet Galvan, their remarkable conductor and champion, has had great influence in the arena of women's singing and music for women's voices." -- Dr. Sandra Snow, Michigan State University

"This choir sings so beautifully and with such expression. Thank you so much for bringing such beauty into the world." -- Paul Carey, composer

Notable Performances

The Ithaca College Women's Chorale has performed on tour in Ireland, at Carnegie Hall, and at Lincoln Center. Other performances have taken place at the Eastern Division convention of the American Choral Directors Association, the national and regional conventions of the Music Educators National Conference, and at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) conference. 

Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF)

The Chorale performed at the 2016, 2017, and 2018 festivals. 

ACDA Philadelphia 2010

The Women’s Chorale presented program entitled “We the People” at the American Choral Directors’ Association Eastern Division Conference in Philadelphia on February 11, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, 123 South 17th Street. Janet Galván conducted the program, and faculty members Michael Galván, clarinet; Lee Goodhew Romm, bassoon; Elizabeth Simkin, violon, cello; and Susan Waterbury, violin will be guest artists with the chorale. Pianist Jon Riss (’09) and percussionist Colleen Clark (‘09) also participated, with assistance from graduate conductor Jennifer Sengin M.M. (’10) and rehearsal pianist Lee Wright The program included music from many cultures.