News
January 17, 2018Hundreds of Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Musicians to Share Their Love of Music With the Capital Region Community During the 2018 All-Day “Playathon” at Crossgates Mall
Hundreds of student musicians in the Empire State Youth Orchestra ensembles will share their love of music with the community during an all-day “Playathon” on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 11:00am to 6:30pm at Crossgates Mall. The event, which is a fundraiser for the organization, features 11 musical ensembles that include everything from classical to percussion to jazz. Even though the event is designed to raise money, it is free to anyone who wants to enjoy music on that day.
“The annual ‘Playathon’ is our largest and most important fundraiser. It is also one of the most exciting events of our season, as it is the only time that all of our performing ensembles come together to share their musical talent with the community. Everyone is in one place on a single day! It is a joyful day, filled with laughter, great music, thrilling auctions and good cheer. Supporters toss dollar bills from the balcony, in the hopes of dropping one directly in the tuba; young children hear jazz, classical or percussion, perhaps for the very first time, and take their first breath through a wind instrument at John Keal Music Company’s petting zoo. It’s a magical day for both musicians and shoppers alike,” said Becky Calos, executive director of ESYO.
One addition this year is that the ESYO CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) full-orchestra will perform. ESYO CHIME provides students in the Schenectady City School District an equal opportunity to develop their skills and break down barriers through an intensive after-school music education program. Through ESYO CHIME, the organization has embraced a mission to provide instrumental music education to younger elementary children in the community who may have limited resources and support. The program will soon be expanding to include additional Capital Region locations.
This will be the last “Playathon” for Music Director Helen Cha-Pyo who will be stepping down at the end of the season after 15 years with the organization. “I absolutely love this day because it means being part of a community event that touches lives. It is so uplifting to see excited faces in the crowd as many hear our musicians for the very first time. We also auction off opportunities for anyone to conduct the orchestral ensembles. Sharing music with others is a joyful experience that connects humanity,” said Cha-Pyo.
The marathon musical event is much more than a one-day community concert. It helps ESYO ensure no qualified musician is ever turned away because of the inability to pay. Those interested in donating to the organization prior to the “Playathon” can do so through this link. https://esyo.org/os/event/2018playathon/
Playathon 2018 Performance Schedule
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ESYO Percussion Ensembles
12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. ESYO CHIME
12:25 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. ESYO Concertino Strings
12:55 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. ESYO Wind Orchestra **
1:45 p.m – 2:10 p.m. ESYO String Orchestra**
2:20 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. ESYO Youth Orchestra **
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ESYO Repertory Orchestra**
3:35 p.m. – 4:05 p.m. ESYO Youth Orchestra**
4:25 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. ESYO Repertory Jazz Orchestra
4:50 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. ESYO Youth Jazz Orchestra
5:20 p.m – 5:50 p.m ESYO Repertory Orchestra**
5:55 p.m – 6:30 p.m. ESYO Youth Orchestra**
**Auction to Conduct Ensembles
Additional information about ESYO’s program and concerts can be found at esyo.org.
