Let’s make some music! Tune up and join in with any or all of our musical groups!
Are you interested in exploring music as a career? Perhaps you simply enjoy music
for its own sake. Whatever your motivation, Indian Hills offers many opportunities
for you to develop your skills and express yourself. Students of all ability levels,
regardless of whether they are majoring in music, are encouraged to participate in
the many music-related opportunities Indian Hills has to offer.
Performing and Visual Arts Calendar
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Ensembles and Performance Opportunities
Students at Indian Hills Community College have many opportunities to perform in some of the region’s finest college music ensembles, in 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 pop. Much of the music for the group is arranged specifically for current members. Previous experience in jazz or improvisation is not required.
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 Concert Choir
This 40-50 voice non-auditioned choir is open to any IHCC student. The Concert Choir performs 4-5 concerts each academic year, with a wide variety of choral literature and styles including classical, folk, spirituals, music theatre, and popular music. Rehearsing through the fall, winter, and spring terms, the group performs a fall concert, a holiday concert, a show tunes cabaret with the theatre department, and a spring pops concert, and participates in the Ottumwa community Martin Luther King Jr. celebration each January.
Chamber Choir
This auditioned 12-18 member choir is a smaller, extracurricular choral group. The group performs at the same concerts as the IHCC Concert Choir, as well as for various college and community functions. To audition, contact Dr. Janene Sheldon at [email protected].
Men's and Women's Choirs
These two choirs are student-led choirs under the supervision of Dr. Janene Sheldon. The choirs explore literature written specifically for men’s and women’s choirs, and give music students the opportunity to conduct and lead rehearsals. They regularly perform in concert with the IHCC Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, as well as the occasional community performance.
Private Lessons
Private lessons in voice, piano, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and jazz improvisation are available to all Indian Hills Students.
Facilities
The music area is located in the Arts and Sciences complex on the Ottumwa Campus. There are several classrooms and numerous piano-equipped practice rooms. The facilities are located next to St. John Auditorium which is one of the finest performance facilities in southeast Iowa.
Faculty Contacts
Our faculty members are outstanding musicians, experienced performers, and educators who provide a challenging and enjoyable learning atmosphere.
David Sharp, Professor, Instrumental Music
Indian Hills Community College
Phone: (641) 683-5111, ext. 1836 or (800) 726-2585, ext. 1836
Email: [email protected]
A full–time professor of instrumental music and jazz, David teaches courses in music
theory, music appreciation, and jazz appreciation, and directs and arranges music
for the Indian Hills Jazz Band. His background includes a B.M. from the University
of Miami (Florida) and an M.M. from the University of Nebraska.
Dr. Janene Sheldon, Professor, Vocal Music and Piano
Indian Hills Community College
Phone: (641) 683-5111, ext. 1833 or (800) 726-2585, ext. 1833
Email: [email protected]
As the Professor of Choral Music, Dr. Sheldon teaches Music Theory Lab, Applied Voice
and Piano, Music Appreciation and Music Fundamentals, directs the Concert Choir and
Chamber Singers and supervises the student-led Men’s and Women’s choirs. Dr. Sheldon
received her B.A. in Music Education from Kearney State College (now UNK), and her
M.M. and D.M.A. from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Read more about earning your Associate of Arts Degree in the Music Focus Area
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