Our Music Director
Meet Aaron Burgess,
Music Director
Aaron S. Burgess is a dynamic conductor and music educator with close ties to the collegiate, public school and community music arenas. He has been lauded for his exuberant and evocative performances and his collaborative apporach to ensemble music making and administration.
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Aaron is assistant professor of music education at Ithaca College, where he teaches courses in instrumental music education and supervises student teachers. In addition to serving as music director of the Ithaca Community Orchestra, he is resident conductor of the Ithaca New Music Collective.
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Aaron has collaborated from the podium with many artists and composers. He has also commissioned and premiered many new works for winds, strings and percussion, guest conducted a wide array of ensembles and honor bands, and presented on topics related to conducting and instrumental music education.
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His work includes appointments as conductor and advisor of the acclaimed Ithaca College Trombone Troup, music director of the Auburn Chamber Orchestra, conductor and faculty member of the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy and director of bands in the Southern Cayuga Central Schools (NY), junior high band director in the Trumansburg Central School District (NY) and conductor of the Ithaca College Symphonic Band.
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Aaron holds a Master of Music in wind conducting from Ithaca College and Bachelor's degrees in music and education from the University of Connecticut.
Meet Reuben Foley,
ICO Assistant Conductor
Reuben Foley is a violinist and music educator currently teaching orchestral strings at Northeast Elementary School in Ithaca, New York. He has been praised for his expressive violin performances and his passion for music in both the concert hall and the classroom.
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Reuben has experience teaching public school orchestras in New York and Virginia, and has received conducting training from James Mick at Ithaca College.
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Reuben served as the concertmaster of the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra for two concert cycles and has performed with ensembles at Lincoln Center, the British Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C., and other notable venues.