News
July 30, 2018Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Wind Orchestra Students Set to Perform In Hungary in August
ESYO Considers Tours an Important Part of Their Educational Program
The Empire State Youth Orchestra Wind Orchestra (ESYOWO) will travel to Hungary to perform August 15th through August 22nd as part of a cross-cultural exchange that started a few years ago.
Dr. Robert Hansbrough, who conducts the Wind Orchestra, met Dr. Joszef Csikota, who serves as president of the Eastern European World Association of Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) while he was in the United States visiting the College of Saint Rose as a guest clinician and conductor. After Hansbrough got to know Csikota he invited him to conduct the ESYO Wind Orchestra in 2016. It was a wonderful experience for all. During that visit, Csikota met with the ESYO administration and learned how important cultural exchanges and tours are to the organization and subsequently invited the Wind Orchestra to attend the 2018 International WASBE convention.
Hansbrough and the students are very excited about this opportunity that will come to fruition in the next few weeks. In addition to playing at the convention, the musicians will perform in an outside “Pops” concert and march to the City Center for the “First King of Hungary” annual celebration. This is not the first time the organization has traveled to Hungary. In 1989 the Youth Orchestra performed there and also in Austria. The convention will take place in Mako, Hungary. The Youth Orchestra did not travel there years ago, so this will be a first experience for the organization.
Hansbrough hopes the wind musicians get a lot out of this experience. “I hope the students learn from listening and observing other bands, teachers and clinicians from several different countries. I also hope they will develop an appreciation for contrasting music literature, styles, method and environment. I expect they will enjoy themselves and even acquire another cultural perspective that connects humans regardless of their home country,” said Hansbrough.
ESYO Executive Director Becky Calos believes in unique opportunities for students. “We love when our ensembles are able to have a cultural experience such as this one. We are so excited for all involved. Music is a language that can unite us,” said Calos.
Hansbrough also believes cultural exchanges enhance lives. “One becomes much more enlightened and enlightens the world just by observing and reacting to citizens of different countries. I was overwhelmed by my visits to Hungary. You are NOT treated like a guest; you are treated like family by all,” he said.
About 48 Wind Ensemble students will be traveling in August for this tour.
