Where the Music Never Stops

By Kim Wunner, June 30, 2025

Hickey’s Music Center and IC's 130-Year Jam Session.

Hickey's Music Center at its current location on Adams Street in Ithaca. Photo submitted.

Hickey’s Music Center, located in downtown Ithaca, is a full-line music service specializing in the print music of all publishers, band, orchestral, and popular instruments, accessories for all instruments, high-quality instrument repairs, and music software and equipment.

The Music Center’s reputation and community far exceeds its footprint and is a treasure trove of resources and equipment. Hickey’s website explains, “We have available to us a virtually unlimited resource of music, instruments and accessories, and keep in stock over 150,000 items for immediate shipment. We routinely stock music most other stores have to special order, and our full line of performance products services the needs of the educational and professional communities both locally and worldwide.” Musicians travel from all over the United States to shop at the store, and it serves a global community through its online business.

This is right here, in Ithaca.

“The main correlation between Ithaca College and Hickey's is such that when people go to teach out in the world, they remember Hickey’s so they come back.”

Hickey's Music Center co-owner, Chuck DePaolo, '88

The story of Hickey’s Music Center and Ithaca College is an entwined one. Hickey’s Music center grew alongside Ithaca College and together, they have supported the education, passion, and talent of the musicians that pass through Ithaca.

In 1892, William Grant Egbert established the Ithaca Conservatory of Music. An accomplished violinist, Mr. Egbert had been studying violin in Europe and envisioned a conservatory in the United States, equal to the famous, old-world institutions in Europe where he had studied. Egbert's now-famous words say it all: “It is my plan to build a school of music second to none in the excellence of its faculty, the soundness of its educational ideals, and the superior quality of instruction."

A Tompkins County native, Egbert knew Ithaca was the place to build such a school. The Ithaca Conservatory of Music was established and eventually became the Ithaca College we all know.

This only known photo of J.F. Hickey hangs in the Music Center.

At the same time in 1892, an inspiring entrepreneur, J.F. Hickey opened J.F. Hickey’s Music Store (now Hickey’s Music Center) in downtown Ithaca, specializing in selling mandolins, banjos, sheet music, and accessories. Mr. Hickey and Mr. Egbert were friends and quickly saw how they could support each other’s visions.

The students and faculty of the Conservatory needed supplies, and J.F. Hickey’s Music Store had them. Likewise, Hickey’s needed a community of gifted musicians. And thus, Ithaca College and Hickey’s Music Center have evolved side by side in a 134-year-old partnership that continues today.

The first known newspaper ad run for Hickey's Music Center circa 1892. Photo submitted.

During the Depression, the Music Center served as the college’s de facto library because it was so large. In the 1960s the store became known throughout the northeastern United States and beyond as the location for sheet music. Band, orchestra, and choir directors would travel many miles to spend days browsing the stacks to select music for their programs. Saturdays were always a full house. Customers were known to stay late after the store closed, given the keys from the store owners and locking up on their way out.

It is that kind of trusting, service-forward approach to the Music Center that makes Hickey’s so special and its customers so loyal.

Today, the store is co-owned by Ithaca College alum Chuck DePaolo '88. He says, “The main correlation between Ithaca College and Hickeys is such that when people go to teach out in the world, they remember Hickey’s so they come back.”

When Ithaca College students need to buy instruments, accessories, or music, they go to Hickey’s Music Center. When an instrument needs repair, it is taken care of at Hickey’s. There are weekly deliveries to campus, and every week, Chuck brings new music and supplies to the Ithaca College Library. Dozens of students have staffed the downtown store.

Each year, Chuck visits the faculty at the School of Music, Theater, and Dance. And the two institutions have a quid pro quo advertising arrangement.

Perhaps most profoundly, this partnership continues after graduation. As Ithaca College grads go on to build careers and passions in the music arts, they come back to Hickey’s via online and in-person sales, relying on the trusted partner to support their work in the world.

Music to Our Ears

Join the legacy of music students at Ithaca College, visit the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.