News & Happenings

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

The Lois Lyman Concerto Competition has been an ESYO tradition for decades,and encourages ESYO Symphony Orchestra members to perform a concerto of their choice. Each participant performs a ten-minute slice of their piece from memory in front of a panel of judges. Up first is Yu-Heng Wang,ESYO Symphony Orchestra’s principal

Co-created by ESYO Music Director and Symphony Orchestra conductor Etienne Abelin”,” Music:Eyes harnesses the power of music animation to support education in the classroom and concert hall. “We are thrilled to be partnering with RPI”,” and performing at the iconic EMPAC center”,”” said Abelin. “It is fitting”,” given that Rensselaer

Attendees also explored the many connections between poetry, writing, production and music with internationally acclaimed musician, poet, author, and educator Dr. Melik. They learned how to better “tell a story” through their music during this unique session. After her presentation, Dr. Melik also worked with advanced ESYO students, who performed solo