News

September 15, 2015

Mystic Universe; Rock Out With Charles Yang; Symphonic Chocolates; Teens Supporting Teens

Empire State Youth Orchestras (ESYO) has announced its 2015-16 concert schedule of almost 30 public performances at a variety of venues throughout the Capital Region.

“It is always a wonderful feeling to start a new year and greet over 350 young musicians at their first rehearsals. Our new season offers amazing experiences for our students and for our audiences, including guest artists, a world premiere and a tour to Portugal. We are also thrilled to launch CHIME™, an El Sistema-inspired program for elementary students in Schenectady,” said Rebecca Calos, ESYO’s Executive Director.

Highlights of ESYO’s 37th season include,

  • October 27 – ESYO’s annual Young People’s Concert followed by the Free Concert for Senior Citizens.  These concerts will feature selections from Holst’s The Planets.  The Young People’s Concert will feature a “Musical Genius” who will help guide the audience of school children through the music while learning about an orchestra The Oct. 27 concerts are sponsored by CDPHP; additional funding for the Senior’s Concert is from Schenectady County Imitative Program.
  • November 1 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will feature both ESYO’s Repertory Orchestra, directed by David Beck, and Youth Orchestra, led by Music Director Helen Cha-Pyo.  The concert will feature Holst’s The Planets, Debussy’s Clare de lune and other music to explore the universe.  The Nov. 1 concert is sponsored by Times Union.
  • December 17 – 20, ESYO’s Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale will perform in CBS 6’s annual Melodies of Christmas concerts to benefit the pediatric oncology program at Albany Medical Center.
  • January 30, 2016, Proctors will present ESYO’s Youth Orchestra performing with Charles Yang, who is described by the Boston Globe as playing “classical violin with the charisma of a rock star.”
  • February 6:  ESYO will hold its annual Playathon during which you can hear each one of ESYO’s ensembles perform for free at the mall!  Lots of fun including auctions to win the conductor’s baton and lead the orchestra as well as a musical “petting zoo” sponsored by John Keal Music!
  • February 11:  Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Sweet Treat when ESYO’s Repertory Orchestra will perform Maxime Goulet’s Symphonic Chocolates, music that will melt in your mouth—literally!  Chocolate treats will be provided to correspond with music that depicts a particular flavor.
  • March 7:  ESYO’s Percussion Ensembles will perform in the University at Albany’s Festival of Contemporary Music.  We dare you to keep your feet from tapping to the wonderful rhythms and sounds of the vast collection of percussion instruments.
  • Apr. 9:  The winner of ESYO’s annual concerto competition will be featured in a concert by the Youth Orchestra at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall .  The program will also feature music by Gershwin and Copland and a preview of one of the pieces that the Youth Orchestra will perform on tour in Portugal, summer 2016.
  • April 16:  ESYO will hold “A Festival of Strings” which will include performances by our String and CHIME™ ensembles as well as other string groups from the region.
  • May 21: Teens supporting Teens:  In celebration of the boundless potential of young people, ESYO’s Youth and Wind Orchestras will present a concert at the Palace Theater in Albany to support and thank regional organizations that work tirelessly to provide the resources and preventative services teens need to grow into healthy and happy adults. Featuring a pre-concert reception and the world premiere of a new work by composer, Clint Needham.
  • June/July 2016:  ESYO’s Youth Orchestra, led by Music Director Helen Cha-Pyo, will travel to Portugal and give four concerts in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Torres Novas.  One of the concerts will benefit a fledgling youth orchestra in Portugal.
  • Throughout the season: ESYO’ Jazz ensembles, Wind Orchestra, and String Ensemble will also present concerts throughout the season in partnership with ensembles from The College of Saint Rose.  ESYO’s Repertory Orchestra will be a featured guest performer at Albany Pro Musica’s Annual High School Choral Festival.

 

The complete schedule for all ESYO ensembles can be found at esyo.org/event.

 

About Empire State Youth Orchestras:  300+ talented youth from the Capital Region of New York and western New England are selected by audition each year for positions in ESYO’s program of high-level music education and performance opportunities for young musicians.  Well known for its Youth Orchestra’s participation in CBS 6’s Melodies of Christmas (benefit concerts for the pediatric cancer program at Albany Medical Center), ESYO actually has a total of nine performing ensembles that collectively give approximately 30 public performances a year.  ESYO reaches out to the community with an annual free concert for senior citizens, concerts for young people, and ESYO’s CHIME™, a free music education program for inner-city, low-income youth in Albany and Schenectady.  Founded in 1979, ESYO has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three prestigious ASCAP awards.   A not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, ESYO was named Tech Valley Nonprofit Business Council’s Nonprofit Organization of 2013  (for organizations of fewer than 75 employees) in recognition of ESYO’s positive contributions to the vitality of the region.   For more information, visit www.esyo.org.