Ossia takes its name from the score marking that indicates a musical alternative. We provide alternatives for the performance of new music at the Eastman School of Music, throughout the Rochester area, and beyond. We produce professional-quality concerts of contemporary music, and in doing so help our student members learn the musical and entrepreneurial skills needed to mount successful performances. We are an entirely student-run organization, financially supported by the Howard Hanson Fund.

Programs for our concerts are drawn from proposals submitted by Eastman faculty, students, and members of the Rochester-area community. Our goal is to perform works that might not receive performances of a similar caliber at Eastman and like institutions due to content, media, or composer. In addition, new compositions by Eastman students are featured significantly in Ossia productions. Ossia welcomes proposals for projects to be included in its productions from all members of the Eastman community. Projects may include particular pieces, themes for concerts, entire programs, or any ideas germane to the promotion of new music.