About OPCICA

The Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association

Founded in 1987 by Dr. Ken Kleszynski (Otterbein College), and Dr. William Schlacks (Muskingum College), The Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) is comprised of more than twenty private colleges and universities in the state of Ohio. The primary purpose of the organization is to develop a closer network of communication and resource sharing among the instrumental departments, divisions, or conservatories of the various privately funded member institutions of higher education.

An additional purpose of the organization is to sponsor an annual honors festival featuring an Honors Concert Band and an Honors Jazz Ensemble, each comprised of students from the participating schools. The first honors band festival was held on January 24, 1988 at Capital University. Festivals have been held every year since with the location rotating between the various member schools. These festivals have enriched the lives of hundreds of college instrumentalists as well as the conductors from many of the state's private institutions. Additionally, the Honors Jazz Ensemble has performed at one Ohio Music Education Association Conference and the Honors Concert Band has performed at three.