Upcoming performances
Spring Concert — Ford Hall, Sunday, March 16th, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Notes from our conductor for this concert, Art Carichner:
We begin our concert with Zampa, an exciting overture to the opera of the same name by Ferdinand Hérold. This work features our wonderful woodwind section. The opera tells the typical story of a love triangle, two men fighting for the heart of one lovely woman.
We the continue with March of the Belgian Paratroopers written by Pierre Leemans during World War II. It is recognized as one of thee great marches of the wonderful band repertoire.
We’ll continue with An American In Paris, one of the most famous works by George Gershwin. He was inspired during time he spent in Paris during the Annees Folles.
We will then present the Bacchanale from Saint-Saens’ Samson and Delilah. This lively piece depicts a wine-fueled party and shows off the range of the band wonderfully.
Next, our guest soloist Dr. Marina Gorelaya from Ukraine will delight us with Rhapsody in Blue, celebrating the 100th birthday of the composition. Dr. Gorelaya was born in Ukraine where she received her training as a classical pianist and musicologist. She earned a Master’s Degree at the Kharkiv National University of Art (Conservatory) and a Doctorate in Music at the Kyiv Conservatory. Dr. Gorelaya moved to the United States in 1996. She was engaged as a pianist at Syracuse University then as a piano instructor and accompanist at SUNY Cortland. She works with local schools, choral ensembles, college orchestra and the Center for the Arts in Homer while frequently participating in community arts festivals. She offered many solo concerts at SUNY and other sites in the county. She frequently showcases her students in concerts as well. Teaching piano for over 40 years, Dr. Gorelaya developed her own method to work with the students. Her system, based on psychology and cognitive approach, includes knowledge of music theory and different styles of piano music altogether with sight-reading and fingers’ dexterity.
We will end with a newer selection by David Maslanka titled Illumination leading us to a thrilling conclusion.
We hope you can attend our concert with the theme of “light and Paris” as springtime approaches. Hope to see you there.
Please visit our Facebook site @IthacaConcertBand, for event details.
Celebrating 40-plus
Years of Music!
ICB's mission from the start has been twofold: to foster enjoyment for member-performers and their audience. More than 40 years ago, in the summer of 1976, our country was celebrating its bicentennial, Gerald Ford was president, and the Ithaca Concert Band began its first concert series. ICB has been invited to perform at several prestigious gatherings of musicians including the New York State School Band Directors Association in Syracuse, the Association of Concert Bands in Rochester and the NY State School Music Association Summer Conference in Rochester.
