The Joint Music Program

The Joint Music Program, established in 1966, is a collaborative effort among Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges. It was initially formed through the merger of the CMC/HMC Stag Glee Club and the Scripps College Chorus Club. Pitzer College joined the program in 1968, further expanding its reach. Over the years, the program has seen significant growth, including the establishment of the Chamber Choir in 1976 and the Claremont Chamber Orchestra in 1979, which later became the Claremont Concert Orchestra in 1996. The program has undergone various directorships, starting with Doris Caster and Louis Ronfeldt before the official formation of the Joint Music Program. Notable directors have included John P. Tate, the founding director, and Michael Deane Lamkin, who served in various capacities from 1977 to 2010. As of 2005, Charles W. Kamm has directed the choirs, with David F. Cubek leading the Claremont Concert Orchestra since 2010. The program celebrated significant anniversaries with a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in December 2023, marking the 20th anniversary of the Scripps College Performing Arts Center and the 60th anniversary of Garrison Theater.