On Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Proctors Theatre, the Empire State Youth Orchestra's Symphony, Youth Jazz, and Chamber Orchestras took a magical musical sleigh ride around the world. Together, with a live audience of over a thousand guests, the young musicians celebrated the holidays with sparkling holiday favorites, Christmas carols, and seasonal masterpieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and more.
Were you there? Get social and share your photos and experience online. Don't forget to tag @empirestateyo on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
CBS 6 Albany's Annual Melodies of Christmas is a fun family holiday tradition for ESYO and the community. While the COVID-19 pandemic paused the live Melodies of Christmas performances for a second year, ESYO believed a soundtrack to the holidays was essential to our musicians and the community.
Music brings hope, joy, and light to the world and is the perfect accompaniment to the holiday season. With the help of David Bebe and our good friend, Helen Cha-Pyo, ESYO's first-ever holiday spectacular came together in record time.
Preparations for Sleigh Ride began shortly after the start of the new season. With only four rehearsals before the concert, each musician made the most of each session, taking notes while invested countless hours at home practicing and preparing each piece. Helen Cha-Pyo inspired and empowered each musician to do their best.
Inspired by the talent of ESYO's young musicians, American Idol finalist (and Shaker Grad) Madison VanDenburg volunteered her time to perform her new holiday single, The Light of Christmas with ESYO. Madison stopped by the first rehearsal to meet each member and talk about the meaning of her new song. Madison took time during break to chat with her neighbor and ESYO violinist, Cadence.
A festive mood quickly swept across each ensemble as musicians decorated their instruments with bows, hats, and stockings. On Saturday, December 18, ESYO's Symphony, Youth Jazz, and Chamber Orchestras came to rehearsal dressed and ready to spread Christmas cheer.
Based on the story The Magic Musical Sleigh Ride" by award-winning author Vick Addesso Dobb, the concert featured a vintage sleigh hand restored by Jon James from Schoharie. The musical story invited everyone to experience the magic of the holidays the chance to experience the holidays through the eyes of a child.
The story led the audience to the orchestral premiere of Madison VanDenburg's The Light of Christmas with ESYO's Symphony Orchestra. The beautful song brought an important message that The Light of Christmas is about hope, togetherness, and seeing the world from a place of love
Written by multi-platinum songwriters Kenny Lamb and Anthony Little, the Light of Christmas was orchestrated for ESYO by composer Susumu Wantanabe. Before the concert, ESYO Symphony Orchestra and Madison VanDenburg recorded a music video at Proctors.
