“The school district’s advocacy for the arts and their unwavering commitment to equity and access is truly remarkable.”  The SCSD/ESYO partnership allows CHIME to offer programming to enrolled SCSD students entirely tuition-free. The expanded program also includes transportation to and from CHIME sites, located at Yates Elementary School and Proctors

ESYO Young Leaders actively participate in ESYO programs, collaborate on community service projects, and regularly attend sessions to explore their interests, acquire new skills, and cultivate their leadership abilities. In a recent leadership workshop, ESYO Young Leaders had the opportunity to delve into the 6 C’s of Positive Youth Development, facilitated

In addition to the NEA award, ESYO CHIME received a $50,000 grant from the Rea Charitable Trust, marking the Trust’s sixth year of funding the free, afterschool music program at that level. Funding has been received from regional foundations as well. The Review Foundation awarded CHIME $10,000, the John D.

DOWNBEAT! Official e-Newsletter of the Empire State Youth Orchestra | Fall 2023 Edition ESYO Delves into the unifying Power of Breath This season, ESYO musicians at all levels, from Concertino Strings to Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, will explore more than the lush harmonies, pulsating rhythms, and poetic melodies of

Dr. Sanderl earned his DMA at Eastman and has performed and led residencies across the globe. Most recently he was serving as a tenured professor at Radford University in Virginia, before family obligations caused him to move back to our region. In addition to his position with ESYO, Dr. Sanderl

Each spring ESYO awards an outstanding senior the Barry Richman Careers in Music Scholarship.  This award is presented to the senior who best exemplifies the goals and standards of their ensemble, has made outstanding musical contributions, exhibits the skills needed to succeed in music, and is pursuing a music career. We

On May 20, graduating senior and Repertory Orchestra flutist Inari Sohn coordinated a pop-up concert at the Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market. Among the many spectators of the performance was Gov. Kathy Hochul, who stopped by to hear the young musicians. Symphony Orchestra principal violist Yu-Heng Wang is creating a series

CHIME’s AOV initiative engages all CHIME students in a new project each season. The process begins each year with student discussion  and choosing a theme; this year’s is “Stop Violence,Show Kindness.” Once the theme is chosen,students have workshops on improvisation later creating  musical motifs and mini-compositions based on the chosen 

This concert marks the first time ESYO has performed at Carnegie Hall since the beginning of the pandemic. ESYO Music Director and Symphony Orchestra conductor Etienne Abelin said,”We are so excited to conclude our season at Carnegie Hall with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary fifth Symphony and Verdi’s Nabucco Overture! We have worked

Each year, the students choose a theme. Last year’s was “Stand Tall” and this year’s is “Stop Violence, Show Kindness.” Once the theme is chosen, they improvise and create musical motifs based on that topic, which are then turned into a more developed piece by the artist-in-residence. This year, that