Music at IHCC

Whether you're interested in music as a career or just for personal enjoyment, Indian Hills has several avenues for you to express yourself. You don't have to be a music "major" - students of all ability levels are encouraged to participate in the many music offerings.

Ensembles & Performance Opportunities

Indian Hills students have many chances to perform in musical ensembles, small groups, and as individual soloists.

Indian Hills Jazz Band

This ensemble allows students to perform a variety of musical styles, including jazz, rhythm and blues, Latin, and popular tunes. Much of the music for the group is arranged specifically for current members. Previous experience in jazz or improvisation is NOT a requirement.

The band performs a concert each term in St. John Auditorium, at the annual Holiday Concert in December, and with guest artists at the annual JazzFest. The group also performs at several college and community functions. During the winter months, the Indian Hills Jazz Band performs extensively at all IHCC home basketball games at the Hellyer Student Life Center.

Indian Hills Community College Chorus

This group performs four concerts each academic year, demonstrating a wide variety of choral literature and styles. Rehearsing through the year, the group will perform a basic concert, a holiday concert, a popular show tunes concert, and a costumed Renaissance concert.

Camerata Singers

This is a smaller, extracurricular choral group which is filled through auditions each fall. The group performs at the same concerts as the IHCC Chorus, as well as for various college and community functions.

Faculty

Our faculty members are outstanding musicians, experienced performers and educators who provide a challenging and enjoyable learning atmosphere.

Michael Philipsen

Michael is a full-time instructor and director of performing and visual arts at IHCC. He directs the IHCC Chorus and the Camerata Singers, and also teaches voice and piano, as well as other music courses. He holds a B.M. from Simpson College and an M.M. from the University of Missouri.

David Sharp

David is a full-time instructor of instrumental music and jazz. He teaches courses in music theory, music appreciation, and jazz appreciation, and directs and arranges music for the IHCC Jazz Band. His background includes a B.M. from the University of Miami (Florida) and an M.M. from the University of Nebraska.

Becky Diebold

Becky is an adjunct instructor of voice. She has a B.M. from the University of Northern Iowa.

Dennis McPartland

Dennis is an adjunct instructor of percussion. He has a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Iowa.

Indian Hills Faculty Jazz Trio

Comprised of saxophonist David Sharp, bassist Steve Charlson, and drummer Dennis McPartland, the trio performs a concert in St. John Auditorium each fall and at numerous college functions throughout the year.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available to all Indian Hills Students in voice, piano, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and jazz improvisation.

Facilities

The music area is located in the Arts & Sciences complex on the Ottumwa campus. Renovated in 2004, St. John Auditorium is one of the finest performance facilities in southeast Iowa.