Merz Trio & the American Patchwork Quartet Stop by ESYO to Inspire the Next Generation
Music nourishes the lives of young people, and the joyful pursuit of musical excellence leads young musicians on a journey to self-discovery and creative collaborations. Empire State Youth Orchestra opens doors beyond the rehearsal room and concert hall, allowing young musicians to forge connections through music while learning from world-class musicians, composers, and performers. This winter , members of ESYO CHIME at Yates Elementary School in Schenectady and ESYO Chamber musicians, each learned tips and tricks from award-winning ensembles.
Members of ESYO CHIME's Yates Elementary site went to Proctors GE Theatre on Friday, January 21, 2022, for a private concert and meet & greet with the award-winning American Patchwork Quartet. Presented by our partners at Proctors Passport Series and funded in part by the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the exclusive performance stirred the curiosity of ESYO's youngest musicians, many of whom just started playing their instrument. Vocalist Falu Shah, Clay Ross (guitar/vocals), Clarence Penn (drums), and Yasushi Nakamura (bass) inspired each CHIME musician as they breathed new life into centuries-old American songs that embodied the immigrant roots of America.
Following an outstanding performance at Paige Hall in Albany, the acclaimed Merz Trio hosted a Masterclass with five passionate ESYO Chamber Musicians. ESYO musicians Georgia, Faith, Yu-Heng, Liam, and Orin, performed an arrangement of the waltz from Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings for the Trio and a small audience. For over 90 minutes, Merz Trio members Brigid, Lee, and Julia coached the young quartet giving them valuable guidance and insight into the music.
The opportunity came to ESYO through the Friends of Chamber Music, a community of chamber music enthusiasts committed to bringing chamber artists of national and international repute to the Capital Region.