In 2004, founders John and Gina Sikora saw a need in our community - a yearning for a richer cultural and artistic opportunities. It began when a small group of music lovers met frequently to perform for each other. They and a growing staff of volunteers and music teachers from the area nourished the programs in a mission to create dynamic partnerships among musicians, music lovers and music professionals; and in the hope of broadening the spectrum of audiences, while providing helpful resources, innovative programming ideas and diverse approaches to musical presentation. Ir was the belief of the founders that nurturing young musicians performing opportunities, providing a platform for each to learn, to collaborate and to exhibit talents through concerts and panel discussions, we all could contribute to an ever-evolving music industry and society-at-large in the hopes of a more fully imagined musical life. 

Over the past decades CortlandMusic, Inc. membership has grown to over 300 music lovers, who meet to perform or listen to performances of classical music. Membership is open to performers or to those who simply enjoy classical music, providing a network for musicians mainly from the Cortland County area.

The first concert happened on February 13, 2005 and it was held in the stage of the Blue Frog Cafe (now, The Bru 64) an it was an experiment to test the response of the community and performers. The Festival lasted 5 hours, non stop. Since then The Blue Frog stage served and continue serving as home for the Classical Music Festivals.

The Bru 64 now hosts our classical music concerts given its central and accessible location in Main St Cortland.

Through the years, CortlandMusic Inc. has underwritten several concerts and lecture-performances in addition to its normal season featuring special artists. Several outdoor “Pops” concerts have been held at the Courthouse Park and at the Homer Center for the Arts. CMI partnered with Zarzuela-CNY to bring opera productions to the community such as Antología de la Zarzuela and Cuba Canta y Baila, both with renowned international artist. It also partnered with Los Tangueros, presenting Antología del Tango, La Musica de Piazzolla, Mujeres del Tango.  Past collaborations include the Center for the Arts, St Mary’s Church, The Rose McNeil Stage, Grace Episcopal Church. 

In addition to its commitment to excellent performances, CMI has active outreach programs. Current community collaborations include SUNY Cortland Performing Arts Department, Ithaca College Music department, The Choral Union, the music studios of Marina Gorelaya, Ann Finamore, Lois Pfister and Pablo Cohen.  

SikoraArts was formed in March 2017 as a partner organization of CortlandMusic,Inc. SikoraArts was created to serve as umbrella for the plastic arts, the intellectual thought, and the cultural endeavors of the Cortland community. SA was conceived as a research laboratory for all the arts, it has emphasized its mandate to equally champion and present the entire spectrum of creative practice across the fields of visual art, performance, film, video, music, and sculpture. Its multidisciplinary programs encompass performing arts, intellectual exchange, exhibitions, salon, creative writing and media arts (film/video) and have focused on cutting-edge culture from around the area.

CortlandMusic, Inc. together with SikoraArts are becoming the finest multi-disciplinary cultural organizations in Cortland County with their mission and vision to be the catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the Arts. 

As a year-round hub of creativity, CMI presents performances by local artists and ensembles; offers arts education opportunities; curates the SikoraArts Gallery, which features Abstractionist artists form NYS.

We are in the process of extending the arts beyond the walls of the urban area through SikoraArts Park—a vibrant, outdoor land surrounded by gorges, forest, trails,  gardens and waterfalls that will engage and inspire the broader South-Center NYS Community. 

In May and November, the Guitar Festival celebrates the area’s leading classical, guitarists.

In March and October the Cortland Classical Music Festival that brings together amateur, semi- professional and professional young musicians. 

Starting in 2018 CMI has hosted 3 Salon at the SikoraArts Gallery. Every fourth month a Salon* is held to engage the cultural intellect of the invited participants of all ages.

The “Second or Third Thursday or Friday” of every month SikoraArts Gallery holds a new art installations of abstractionist and non-traditional-format artist.