Skip to main content

Members Home
Register
Rehearsal Schedule
Scholarships

Merit-Based Awards

Barry Richman Careers in Music Scholarship

Any eligible, graduating senior from any ESYO ensemble may apply. This scholarship is awarded at the end of each ESYO season to a graduating senior from any ESYO group who best exemplifies the goals and standards of his/her ensemble, serves as a role model to his/her peers, has made outstanding musical contributions, and plans a career in music. It is a $1000 award.

  • To be considered for this scholarship, please complete and submit both of the required forms. The student application must be completed by May 24, 2025 and the teacher recommendation form must be completed by May 31, 2025. 
  • The Teacher Recommendation Form must be completed by your School Music Teacher or, if home-schooled, by your Private Music Teacher. 
  • Incomplete applications or applications received after deadline will not be considered. An application is incomplete if it is missing the Teacher Recommendation Form.
  • Application available in the spring.

The Helen Cha-Pyo Baton Award

Helen Cha-Pyo served as ESYO’s Music Director and Symphony Orchestra Conductor between 2002 and 2018. Under her extraordinary leadership, ESYO grew to become one of the preeminent Youth Orchestras in the nation. Helen’s vision guided the creation of ESYO’s CHIME program in 2015, expanding access to music opportunities for hundreds of youth. Her active community engagement sparked numerous collaborative projects both regionally and internationally.  

This $1500 award is given each spring to a senior who embodies Helen’s passionate commitment to music as a means to uplift and enrich the community. The recipient will be announced at Encore Stage in the spring.

Sixth Generation Strings Instrument Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for exceptional string students who need assistance sourcing and purchasing their next instrument. Sixth Generation Strings has begun this scholarship fund because they believe, as we do, that instruments appropriate to the musician should be within reach. While need is taken into account, this is not a primarily needs-based, nor annual, scholarship. 

Apply Here

Needs-Based Financial Aid

Musicians may apply for need-based tuition assistance by completing and submitting a financial aid application.

  • The Harmony in Music Scholarship, established by the Kolodziej and Resta Family

    This scholarship supports the musical aspirations of talented young players who demonstrate financial need.  In recognition of the challenge faced by larger families to afford enriching opportunities for all their children equally, this award favors applicants seeking to enroll more than one child in Empire State Youth Orchestra.

  • The Richard Albagli Scholarships, established by the Chang, Harris & Provancher Families

    These scholarships honor Richard Albagli’s more than thirty years of service to ESYO as Percussion Conductor, his deep commitment to music education and his compassion for others. These awards favor percussion applicants.

  • Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust Scholarships

    The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust believes, as do we, that no one should be denied the opportunity to pursue a talent because of economic hardship. These scholarships help safeguard ESYO’s longstanding commitment to grant any qualified musician the assistance they need to become a member.

  • The Helen Cha-Pyo Scholarship Fund

    Helen Cha-Pyo served as ESYO’s Music Director and Symphony Orchestra Conductor between 2002 and 2018. Under her extraordinary leadership, ESYO grew to become one of the preeminent Youth Orchestras in the nation. Helen’s vision guided the creation of ESYO’s CHIME program in 2015, expanding access to music opportunities for hundreds of youth. Her active community engagement sparked numerous collaborative projects both regionally and internationally.  

  • The Accelerator Scholarships

    These needs-based scholarships honor Roger Hannay's unwavering desire to help those in need who are also willing to help themselves. These awards favor returning ESYO musicians who have been accepted into a more advanced ensemble and who reflect Roger's grit, determination and dedication to hard work.