In 2016 Erica Kiesewetter was appointed Associate Conductor of the Bard College Orchestra. Interested in expanding the group both in terms of numbers and outreach she and Music Director Zachary Schwartzman opened the orchestra up by audition to community members. The Bard College Community Orchestra now boasts over 50 members and performs each semester in the Fisher Center. She often collaborates with students from the annual concerto competition, and also searches out unusual repertoire.  In 2019 she founded the annual Midsummers’ Eve Concert in Olin Hall.