Spring 2023 ESYO Program Book

2022-2023 SEASON PROGRAM BOOK

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It is my pleasure to invite you to celebrate Empire State Youth Orchestra’s 43rd season of joyful music making. This year we are thrilled to return to a familiar pattern of rehearsals and performances, including perennial favorites such as the Frost Valley Retreat, Melodies of Christmas, the Young People's & Senior’s Concerts, and our signature, crowd-pleasing, Crossgates Mall Playathon. After two years of pandemic disruptions, it is wonderful to look forward to a more “normal” season packed with performances, enriching musical experiences, and opportunities to forge life-long friendships. And ESYO has much to anticipate. Outstanding conductors, teaching artists, and coaches working side-by-side with enthusiastic and talented young musicians to create wonderful, magical moments to share with our community. A thriving CHIME program, providing youth free music instruction and performance opportunities. A new cohort of Young Leaders, already mobilizing to apply their insight, expertise and innovation to accomplish great things. And beyond this season, we look forward to taking up residence in our new, “forever” home.

The quest for ESYO’s home began more than two decades ago. Past opportunities that were identified--like the Goldilocks tale--proved either too large, or too small, too costly, or simply too impractical. But the 8-acre campus at 45 Mac Arthur Drive, is "just right." Young musicians will be inspired by the creative space, graced with natural light and acoustically designed rehearsal rooms. Families will gather in lounge areas during rehearsals, enjoying conversation and building community. Our new home will allow us to expand our scope to include daytime programming for early learners, homeschool ensembles, accessible experiences for young people with disabilities, summer camps, as well as to develop extended day programming in partnership with local school districts.. These new offerings will help strengthen regional school music programs and introduce students to musical instruments at a younger age. Cooperative education programs, such as advanced theory, offered in partnership with Capital Region BOCES Arts in Education Initiative, will expand academic opportunities for young musicians interested in pursuing a career in music. To learn more, and follow our progress as we work to secure the resources to make this vision a reality, go to our website: https://esyo.org/news-concerts/esyo-center-formusical-youth Yes, we do indeed have much to look forward to, not the least of which is celebrating together with you, our friend and supporter. Thank you for being here at this performance, cheering on our musical youth. Thank you for believing in the power of music to transform, to delight, to enrich and to inspire. Enjoy today, and come back again soon to hear us again!

Becky Calos Executive Director

2022-2023 SEASON • 3

MESSAGE FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR I would like to warmly welcome you to the 2022-2023 season, my first as Music Director.

I'm so excited to embark on this journey together with the young musicians of ESYO and with all of you!

We live in challenging times and I believe that coming together to play music with urgency, to embrace vulnerability, to listen and explore the depths of emotions, is crucially important. It is through this experience that we create new connections and a sense of belonging. This season is about discovering new and meaningful connections - connections to nature, to ourselves, and to one another. Gabriella Smith's Field Guide, in Symphony Orchestra's opening concert, invites us to connect to nature through her music, and, later in the season, the Festival of Young Artists will feature music celebrating Earth. Music can connect us to our own nature, our bodies, for example in Ludwig Van Beethoven's 7th Symphony that centers around dance. And there will be more dancing when several of ESYO's ensembles connect and play together in joyful encore pieces that feature movement, for example in the joint concert of Repertory Orchestra, String Orchestra and Concertino Strings on November 13!

More connections: we are partnering with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to present a side-by-side performance at EMPAC in April, featuring a new music visualization tool called Music:Eyes - See what you Hear. And the young musicians at our free after-school program CHIME will create musical connections to their emotions and lived experience as part of a in a project called Amplify Our Voice. And we are excited to move to a new place of belonging, ESYO’s Center for Musical Youth. This new home will allow for many new connections and ways of making music together!

I'm also thrilled to launch MusicNOW, a multi-year endeavor that focuses on nourishing dimensions of music making that are often underdeveloped and that is grounded in the conviction that music can only come to life in the present—in the NOW! In a MusicNOW spirit, ESYO students develop excellence not only in playing their instruments but also in breathing and embodying music together, in telling musical-emotional stories collectively with a sparkle in the eye, in intently listening and relating to each other and in thinking and being expressive outside the box, in a spirit of improvisation and creation.

At the launch of MusicNOW, we had the great privilege to welcome Walter Thompson for a weeklong residency. Walter is the inventor of an innovative instant composing sign language called Soundpainting, which he introduced to our young musicians in ensemble rehearsals and at the fabulous Frost Valley Retreat. You will encounter Soundpainting in various shapes and forms throughout the season in performances and collaborative workshops!

Thank you for all the support you have given our young musicians over the years and I'm very much looking forward to celebrating this season with you!

Etienne Abelin Music Director and Conductor of the ESYO Symphony Orchestra

4 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

45 MACARTHUR DRIVE SCHENECTADY, NY 12302 | 518.382.7581 | ESYO.ORG 2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Omar Williams Board Chair Barry Richman Vice Chair Heather Chan Secretary Dee Adkins Treasurer

Robert Altman Brian Axford Robert Bengraff Vic Bernstein Randall Ellis Henk Elzenga James Haertel Stefon Harris

Andrew LaCoppola Kara Lais Peter Lauricella Caitlin Mochrie Brian Quiara Brian Sacawa Chris Shiley Elizabeth Silver

Dr. David Bebe CHIME Conductor, Curriculum & Enrichment Coordinator Andrea Restrepo Operations Assistant, Librarian & Symphony and String Orchestra Manager Zoë Auerbach CHIME & Young Leaders Director

Diana Chabai-Booker Marketing & Publications Manager Mary Rose Petrozola Membership Services Coordinator & Administrative Assistant

Richard Albagli Youth Percussion Ensemble Mark Foster Youth Percussion Ensemble John Antonio Repertory Percussion Ensemble Genoveffa Vitale Chamber Percussion Ensemble Dr. Peter Bellino Youth Jazz Orchestra

Keith Pray Repertory Jazz Orchestra Julie Taylor Concertino Wind Choir Scott Hopkins Concertino Brass Choir Rae Jean Teeter Concert Chorale Hannah Dick Concertino Percussion

Jessica Bowen Teaching Artist Aidan Doyle Teaching Artist Lydia Flynn Teaching Artist Teresa Gatta-Norton Teaching Artist Tara Hanish Teaching Artist Ye Hu Teaching Artist

Matthew Johnson Teaching Artist Cara Miner Teaching Artist Andrea Restrepo Teaching Artist Bridie Schnore Teaching Artist Nick Smith Teaching Artist Aaron Zhang Teaching Artist

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Rebecca Calos Executive Director Lisa Stulmaker Finance Director Sue Lascoe Operations Director & Repertory Orchestra Manager Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle Development Director

CONDUCTING STAFF Etienne Abelin Music Director & Symphony Orchestra David Beck Repertory Orchestra Joseph Gumpper String Orchestra Leo Milman Concertino Strings Dr. Robert S. Hansbrough Wind Orchestra

CHIME STAFF Rossiluz Caceres Site Manager Lin Polster Site Manager Cathy Gatta Lead Teacher Monica Roach Lead Teacher Nikola Tomic Lead Teacher Lia Bourque-Mooney Teaching Artist

2022-2023 SEASON • 5

SECTIONAL COACHES Throughout the season, ESYO Symphony and Repertory Orchestra members are coached and mentored by a group of dedicated musicians and teachers from the Capital Region and beyond. We are grateful to our team of coaches for offering their guidance and expertise, inspiring our youth to pursue musical excellence.

VIOLIN & VIOLA Matthew Johnson, Viola Leo Milman, Violin Natalya Milman, Violin Jamecyn Morey, Violin Hilary Cumming, Violin Stephani Emery, Viola Shelly Tramposh, Viola Heather Braun-Bakker, Violin CELLOS & BASSES Luke Baker, Bass Dr. David Bebe, Cello Andrea Restrepo, Cello & Bass Andre O'Neil, Cello Rachele Prawdzik, Cello John Marshall, Bass Patrick O'Connell, Bass PERCUSSION John Antonio, Percussion 6 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

WOODWINDS & BRASS Michael Blostein, Brass Paul Riggio, Brass Edward Marschilok, Woodwinds Jaqueline Wright, Woodwinds Susan Gierthy, Oboe Julie Taylor, Clarinet Michelle McLoughlin, Bassoon John Fatuzzo, Trumpet Jessica Cunningham, Horn STRING CHAMBER MUSIC COACHES Dr. David Bebe Etienne Abelin Jessica Belfower Jamecyn Morey WIND CHAMBER MUSIC COACH Susan Gierthy

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CONCERT PROGRAM Carl B. Taylor Auditorium at SUNY Schenectady

Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 7:30PM

STRING ORCHESTRA & YOUTH JAZZ STRING ORCHESTRA JOSEPH GUMPPER, CONDUCTOR CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Sanda Dackow I. Alborada II. Variazioni III. Scena e Canto Gitano IV. Fandango Asturiano SUMMERTIME Music and Lyrics by George Gerswin, Du Bose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin, arr. Bert Ligon

YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA DR. PETER BELLINO, CONDUCTOR SECRET SMILES Mike Tomaro THE HEART OF THE MATTER Bob Mintzer TAKIN' IT TO THE CHURCH Shelton Berg SENORITA BLUES Les Hooper THE STAR-CROSSED LOVERS Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn YA GOTTA TRY Sammy Nestico

8 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

STRING ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL VIOLIN I Ruchir Bollapragada Adalyn Fanning Victoria Gentile Pavithra Jayakumar Ci-Le Lee Angela Li Xingchen Lin Vincent Liu Ciarra Miller Angelina Molina Olamide Oladimeji Isabella Xu Gianna Zhang Joelene Zheng Thomas Zhong

VIOLIN II Kevin Bao Micah Chen Victoria Chung Ann Hu Leyao Huang Navin Huskie Andrew Kim Emily Kim Elena LaFaver Luen Lee Giuliana Palmieri Ivy Smith Rowan Spencer Christina Sui Joanna Zhao

DOUBLE BASS Gabriella Clark Abigail Edgar

VIOLA Austin Cao Margaret Stuart Simran Utturkar CELLO Annabelle Brin Kaiden Bubenik Andrew Cunningham Alanea Geweye River Henriksen Jacob Hong Emma Shao Alexander Skuza Mia Sun Albert Zhang

YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL SAXOPHONE Bohdan Kinal Alto Kevin Lu Alto Angelo Delaney Tenor Nathan Yan Tenor Anthony Guo Baritone

TRUMPET Conor Costello Landon Kinal Andrew Comparetta Lara Luczak TROMBONE Luyanda Pieterse Dean Simons Alis Fruehstorfer John Wasula

RHYTHM SECTION Grant Harding Piano Henry Reichman Piano Benjamin Quist Bass Sam Wagner Guitar Kiemon Noel Drums

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2022-2023 SEASON • 9

JOIN ESYO! Make music with friends at in-person rehearsals and performances!

AUDITIONS ARE OPEN NOW Audition today & join ESYO! Sound together with young musicians who are as passionate and dedicated as you.

Visit esyo.org/join for more information

www.esyo.org | 518.382.7581 | 45 MacArthur Drive, Schenectady, NY 12302

CONCERT PROGRAM Clayton A. Bouton High School Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 7:00PM

CONCERTINO STRINGS & REPERTORY ORCHESTRA CONCERTINO STRINGS | LEO MILMAN, CONDUCTOR RONDEAU Henry Purcell, arr. Deborah Baker Monday PLAYFUL RONDO W. Green, arr. Leo Milman UKRAINIAN DANCE Modest Mussorgsky, arr. Deborah Baker Monday A MILLION DREAMS Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, arr. James Kazik

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA | DAVID BECK, CONDUCTOR OVERTURE TO IDOMENEUS Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) SLAVONIC DANCES, OP. 46, NO. 4 Antonín Dvořák (1842-1904) Tempo di Minuetto SINFONIETTA NO. 1 “SILVER” Bob Good (b. 1959) I. “Serenata” II. “Let Me Tell You How It Started” III. “After The Storm” NIGHT IN MEXICO FROM “AIRBORNE SUITE” Paul Creston (1906-1985)

2022-2023 SEASON • 11

CONCERTINO STRINGS PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Mackenzie Cady Haley Clark Amelia Hicks Matthew Huang Delphine Mann Kenton Pack Theigen Plumley Clare Snyder Ivan Zhang Lyra Lenigk * SECOND VIOLIN Anna Barnes Jonah Chen Bella Crowe Ariana Elguero Sophia Hemmid

Bhavyanshu Kandlakunta Hannah Keegan Tallulah Mann Sianna Orr Tienzen Plumley Aydia Raiff Anushka Senapati Violet Stasi Vince Trimm Glenjanee Robertson * VIOLA Augustin Bebe Brianna Harding LaurenRose Mele Angela Page Josephine Smith Xrysanthi Sokaris Anika Sohn *

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12 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Alina Song Ben Xu Alis Fruehstorfer * CELLO Rileigh Barton Lilianna Cartier Ilan Kogan Laina Mo Mark Shao Adele Zebrowski Natalie Teal * BASS Olivia Meka Manager – Kathryn Sokaris * Guest

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Elise Silfer Concertmaster Charlotte Chen Assistant Concertmaster Annalise Bourassa Sarah Byun Rohan Huskie Rose Janicke Everest Kuang Lauren Lee-Chung Lyra Lenigk Daniel Lin Jeanne Lu Juan Manrique Esti Simcoe Tallis Wild Annabelle Zhang Stella Zhang SECOND VIOLIN Emily Tribou Principal Daniel Byon Assistant Principal Ratna Bandaru Vidhu Bulumulla Catherine Cheng Madeline Epping James Gong Tarun Jacob Isabelle Mason Marisa Mazzacco Chloe Myat ^ Annika Polk Lucy Quoma Olana Schillinger Lily Scicchitano Ankur Senapati Selena Tang

VIOLA Anika Sohn Principal Samuel Wang Assistant Principal Yuna Chung Caleb Gascoyne Matthew Kim Anya Miller Michael Wu CELLO Natalie Teal Principal ZiWei Daniel Liu Assistant Principal Alice Chen Sonja De Piro Ulka Jerabek Justin Mo Andrew Ngai Gio Ok Emily Winans Sophia Xin Young Xu Brendan Yan Chloe Zhang

Nini Yang ^ Sara Bubenik PICCOLO Inari Sohn OBOE Adam Judson Emily Shim ENGLISH HORN Adam Judson CLARINET David Lichtenwalner Madeleine Rocheleau-Holmes BASSOON Jeanine Cao HORN Brennan Hawkins Anthony Padula TRUMPET Harlow Kung David Zhao

BASS Katie Myers Principal Finley Jones Assistant Principal Michael Jantson Alexander King Avery Subik

TROMBONE Brendon Cao Alis Fruehstorfer Maeve Newkirk Luyanda Pieterse

FLUTE Inari Sohn Coco Yang

PERCUSSION Tim Kelsey

TIMPANI Austin Ernst

^

On Leave

2022-2023 SEASON • 13

CONCERT PROGRAM Mainstage at Proctors

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 1:00PM

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ETIENNE ABELIN, CONDUCTOR SPRING FESTIVAL OVERTURE Li Huanzhi (China, 1919 - 2000) CONCERTO FOR VIOLA AND ORCHESTRA II. Second movement Béla Bartók (Hungary, 1881 - 1945) APPALACHIAN SPRING Aaron Copland (USA, 1900 - 1990)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE This performance is made possible in part by the generosity of MVP Healthcare

14 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Abby Mercier 1,2 Co-Concertmaster Caitlin Weinheimer 3 ³ Co-Concertmaster Gordon Amodeo Darren Cheng Hyunseo Eric Isabella Hu Fay Hu Tyler Jung Megan Lai Abby Lee Sungwon Lee Arthur Leung Tiffany Ma Kai Vernooy Xuning Ying SECOND VIOLIN Cael Sullivan 1,2 Co-Principal Lilian Rodgers 3 Co-Principal Sean Calhoun Chloe Dai Andrew Hwang Andrew Kim Yuni Kwon Nguyet-Vien Le Natasha Nugent William Vartuli Emily Yang Iris Yang Catherine Yang Lauren Zhu VIOLA Yu-Heng Wang Principal Thomas Ahl Saurev Bavdekar Lisa Chen Matthew Kenyon Christiane Richardson Peyton Roach Bowen Yu

CELLO Trey Coughlin Principal Bryan Chae Christina Cheng Emily Donohue Casey Gao Ani Gregori Asadourian Ian Gu Adeline Hubbell Ian Jin Kyle Markham Hanh Nguyen Abigail Norsworthy Aman Patel Liam Sullivan Lucas Tong William Wu Vincent Zhang

BASSOON Aryeh Korevaar 1,2,3 Edward S. Marschilok* FRENCH HORN Winter Hubbell Cyrus Joo-Schwaber Cole Martin 1,2,3 Joseph Viscio

TRUMPET Elyse Roepe 1,2,3 Nikola Tomic* TROMBONE Kevin Lee Nicholas Lynch 3 Ronan Tiu 2 Anthony Zhang 1

DOUBLE BASS Orin Carlson-Lee Principal Ariel Chen Jaehyun Lee Kim Mazzacco

PERCUSSION Clara de Long Thomas White

FLUTE Emily Dupuis 1,2,3 Lucy Lee Renee Zhang

PIANO Brian Axford* 3

PICCOLO Renee Zhang

OBOE Susan Gierthy* 3 Olivia Petti Alicia Prieto Andrew Watkins 1,2

TIMPANI William Lauricella

HARP Elizabeth Huntley* 3 PRINCIPALS Huanzhi 1 Bartok 2 Copland 3 *Guest

CLARINET Regan Doherty Hailey Lotz Julia Spretty 1,2,3³

2022-2023 SEASON • 15

CONCERT PROGRAM Massry Center for the Arts

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Sunday, March 12, 2023, 3:00PM

WIND ORCHESTRA & REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA WIND ORCHESTRA | ROBERT HANSBROUGH, CONDUCTOR BRASS CHOIR GALLARDE LA ROCQUE Pierre Phalese, arr. Colin Kilpatrick NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT J.S. Bach, arr. Mark Prowen WOODWIND CHOIR FINALE (FROM SYMPHONY IN Bb) Franz Schubert, transcribed by Nilo Hovey WIND ORCHESTRA RENAISSANCE SUITE Tielman Susato, arr. James Curnow I. La Mourisque II. Mille Regretz III. La Bataille BEACONS Tyler Arcari MARCH OF THE BELGIAN PARATROOPERS Pierre Leemans, arr. Michael Brown THE ASH GROVE Sam Baltzer MARSCH (FROM SYMPHONIC METAMORPHOSIS) Paul Hindemith, transcribed by Keith Wilson

PROGRAM CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE 16 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA | KEITH PRAY, CONDUCTOR TO BE SELECTED FROM: HOME COOKIN Hilton Ruiz SO LONG ERIC Charles Mingus LA NEVADA Gil Evans BROOKLYN Youngblood Brass Band

WIND ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL PICCOLO Kathleen Guo

BASS CLARINET Stephen Kowalski*

FLUTE Kathleen Guo Ari Caine Abbigale Rossman Olivia Lee Christina Zhang Karissa Gu Ann Furlong Sofie Guo Ahana Gandhi Abigail Brennan Sinjin Facchetti Srinidhi Thattai

BASSOON Jeanine Cao Aryeh Korevaar Hikaru Matsue

OBOE Kaylee Gutmaker

FRENCH HORN Cole Martin Brennan Hawkins Anthony Padula

CLARINET Sophia Hu Wyatt Pierce Lily Burgess Bonnie Diefendorf Gianna Montagna*

ALTO SAX Holden Spock TENOR SAX Tyler Wills BARITONE SAX Jake LaBate*

TRUMPET Elyse Roepe Jada Wesenberg* Olivia Montagna*

TROMBONE Aidan Doyle* Daniel Korevaar Ethan Meeks Luqman Ahmed EUPHONIUM Anthony Zhang Eli Stanwicks TUBA Casey Cole* PERCUSSION Dre McElhinney Jane Lapati Jesse Doan* Stephen McClain* * Guest Performers Manager – Jane Padula Student Manager – Casey Cole

REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL SAXOPHONES Shriyan Ahuja Alexis Berry Gideon Goldberg Hubert Huho Teresa Rodrigues Dylan Slater

TRUMPETS Shawn Chaney Emery D’Arcy Rafi Magdon-Ismail VIOLA Anika Sohn

17 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

RHYTHM SECTION Nolan Valero Piano/Vibraphone Tianyi Zhang Piano/Vibraphone Ethan Bowden Guitar Nolan Linck Drums Zoltan Arthur Percussion

CONCERT PROGRAM Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Sunday, April 2, 2023, 3:00PM

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ETIENNE ABELIN, CONDUCTOR SPRING FESTIVAL OVERTURE Li Huanzhi (China, 1919 - 2000) VIOLA CONCERTO, OP.POSTH (COMPLETION BY SERLY) I. Moderato II. Adagio religious III. Allegro vivace (Played without pause) Béla Bartók (Hungary, 1881 - 1945) Yu-Heng Wang, viola Intermission SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E MINOR, OP. 64 III. Valse Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russia, 1840 - 1893) APPALACHIAN SPRING I. Very slowly II. Fast III. Moderate IV. Quite fast V. Still faster VI. Very slowly VII. Calm and flowing VIII. Moderate Aaron Copland (USA, 1900 - 1990) We dedicate this performance to our dear friend, Professor Kevin Shanley, who passed away on January 12, 2023. Kevin's presence at nearly every ESYO concert for the last many years, full of enthusiasm, warmth and encouragement for all involved, provides deeply moving memories for all of us. Kevin was a staunch supporter of our young musicians and delighted in tracking their progress. Special moments include his exuberant conducting of our Symphony Orchestra at Playathon, and his infectious enthusiasm for all things "Jazz." Today, we honor his friendship, his musical passion, and most especially, his laughter. Cheers, Kevin!

18 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Abby Mercier1,2 Co-concertmaster Caitlin Weinheimer3,4 Co-concertmaster Gordon Amodeo Darren Cheng Hyunseo Eric Kim Isabella Hu Fay Hu Tyler Jung Megan Lai Abby Lee Sungwon Lee Arthur Leung Tiffany Ma Kai Vernooy Xuning Ying SECOND VIOLIN Cael Sullivan1,2 Co-principal Lillian Rogers3,4 Co-principal Sean Calhoun Chloe Dai Andrew Hwang Andrew Kim Yuni Kwon Nguyet-Vien Le Natasha Nugent William Vartuli Emily Yang Iris Yang Catherine Yang Lauren Zhu VIOLA Yu-Heng Wang Principal Thomas Ahl Saurev Bavdekar Lisa Chen Matthew Kenyon Cristiane Richardson Peyton Roach Bowen Yu

CELLO Trey Coughlin Principal Bryan Chae Christina Cheng Emily Donohue Casey Gao Ani Gregori Asadourian Ian Gu Adeline Hubbell Ian Jin Kyle Markham Hanh Nguyen Abigail Norsworthy Aman Patel Liam Sullivan Lucas Tong William Wu Vincent Zhang DOUBLE BASS Orin Carlson-Lee Principal Ariel Chen Jaehyun Lee Kim Mazzacco FLUTE Emily Dupuis1,2,3,4 Lucy Lee Renee Zhang PICCOLO Renee Zhang

OBOE Olivia Petti 2,3 Alicia Prieto 1,4 ¹ Andrew Watkins

FRENCH HORN Winter Hubbell Cyrus Joo-Schwaber Cole Martin 1,2,3,4 Joseph Viscio

TRUMPET 1,2,3,4 Elyse Roepe Themba Pieterse* Nikola Tomic* TROMBONE Kevin Lee Nicholas Lynch3 2 Ronan Tiu Anthony Zhang 1,4 PERCUSSION Kingston Czajkowski Clara de Long+ Thomas White TIMPANI William Lauricella PIANO Brian Axford*3 HARP 3 Elizabeth Huntley* PRINCIPALS Huanzhi1 Bartok2 Copland3 Tchaikovsky4 * Guest + On leave

CLARINET Regan Doherty Hailey Lotz Julia Spretty 1,2,3,4 BASSOON Aryeh Korevaar 1,2,3,4 Edward S. Marschilok*

2022-2023 SEASON • 19

FEATURED PERFORMER YU-HENG WANG VIOLA Yu-Heng Wang, 18, is a senior at Shenendehowa High School. Currently in his 5th and final year in the ESYO Symphony Orchestra, he first auditioned into the ensemble in 8th grade, at the youngest grade level in the orchestra at the time, and served as Assistant Principal violist for his first two years in the orchestra. Since his Sophomore year, Yu-Heng has held the principal position.

Yu-Heng picked up the viola in 4th grade, as his first and primary instrument. Since then, he has been an active member of the school music community, participating in the Middle In addition to orchestra, Yu-Heng was the School Chamber Orchestra starting in 6th June 2022 WMHT Classical Student Musician grade, and then the High School Chamber of the Month, performing the Vieuxtemps Orchestra. He has also participated in Viola Sonata, and now a two-time finalist of a variety of regional festivals, including the Uel Wade Music Scholarship Competition All-County, Suburban Council, and Area in both 2021 and 2022. He is a founding All-State. member of the Tetrauq quarteT, consisting With the arrival of the COVID pandemic and of 4 members of ESYO that rehearse and the sudden abundance of free time, Yu-Heng perform around the area, having the privilege was able to extensively practice and improve of working with members of the Ying and at the viola, and in his high school years, has Emerson Quartets in the past year. seen a dramatic increase in both skill at the Yu-Heng currently studies with Brian Hong instrument and love for music. In 2021, he at the Bard Conservatory of Music. His successfully auditioned into the New York past teachers include Michael Emery, Sue All-State Orchestra, and had the distinct Nazzaro, Keegan Donlon, and Nina Merulla. honor of successfully holding the principal He would like to thank all his amazing position, which he held again in the 2022 All-State Orchestra. In addition to All-State, teachers for transforming him into who he is as a player today.

Yu-Heng was also the Concertmaster of the Saratoga Youth Symphony for the 20212022 season on violin and the Principal Viola of the Zone 7 Area-All State Orchestra in 2019. The summer of 2022, Yu-Heng participated in the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, a prestigious, full-tuition summer program hosted by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C. for a 4 week residency at the Kennedy Center. He was 1st chair violist in the Institute Orchestra.

20 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

PROGRAM NOTES SPRING FESTIVAL OVERTURE LI HUANZHI A classic celebratory piece to stir the senses and welcome the new year, the Spring Festival Overture sets the stage for our concert with its enthusiastic and cheerful tone. Written in 1955-56, the overture is the first movement of the larger Spring Festival Suite by Li Huanzhi. This piece is often performed at Lunar Year concerts in mainland China. It is deemed such a model of Chinese orchestral composition that a recording was broadcast in space during China’s first lunar probe in 2007.

Li Huanzhi is considered one of the most important Chinese composers of the 20th century. Born more than a century ago in Hong Kong, he studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Shanghai (now the Shanghai Conservatory of Music). When the Second Sino-Japanese War began in 1937, Li joined the revolution, then studied at Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Yan’an.

He went on to produce a large body of work inspired by traditional Chinese melodies. He was the first director of the China National Traditional Orchestra, founded in Beijing in 1960.

VIOLA CONCERTO BÉLA BARTÓK William Primrose, maybe the most important violist of modern times, asked the then-ailing Bartók to write a concerto for his use in 1945. Since emigrating from Hungary to the US in 1940, Bartók had endured a period of terrible neglect, poverty and homesickness. Howard Hanson, the reactionary and xenophobic president of the Eastman School of Music, had turned away Bartók’s application for a teaching position in spite of his reputation as possibly the most important living composer and ethnomusicologist of his day.

Word of Bartók’s desperate situation finally reached Serge Koussevitsky, the visionary music director of the Boston Symphony, who did as much as any conductor in the 20th Century to commission and premiere important new works. In 1942, upon hearing that Bartók was both ill and destitute, Koussevitsky doubted Bartok would be up to the strain of writing a major work, but also knew that Bartók would not accept charity. Koussevitsky commissioned Bartók to write a showpiece for the Boston Symphony, and Bartók was so overjoyed at the opportunity that he quickly forgot his problems and embarked on the writing of his Concerto for Orchestra, a joyous and brilliant piece universally acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of the 20th Century.

After this, Bartók’s creative powers returned to full strength, even as his body started to fail. Commissions began to pour in, and Bartók turned to work on a 3rd Piano Concerto, a Sonata for Solo Violin and the Viola Concerto. By 1945, his health was rapidly failing, and it became clear while working on the 3rd Piano Concerto and the Viola Concerto that he would not finish either work. Bartók hoped the Piano Concerto would provide a source of income for his wife, the pianist for whom it was written, and so made a great push to complete the work before succumbing to leukemia. Bartók entrusted the completion of the Viola Concerto to his friend and former pupil Tibor Serly, who also completed the 3rd Piano Concerto.

Like the Concerto for Orchestra and the last Piano Concerto, the Viola Concerto is a profoundly lyrical, spiritual and life affirming work. In those sad, final years Bartók found within himself a capacity for expressing warmth and joy that listeners continue to marvel at 50 years later. The first movement is the most complete and fully developed and shows Bartók at the height of his musical powers. The lyrical second movement is deeply spiritual in

2022-2023 SEASON • 21

feeling, but the folk-music inspired fire of the finale is no less full of life. Sadly, the finale shows the most evidence of Serly’s hand- in spite of the richly promising musical material the movement is less completely developed that one would expect in a mature work of the master.

Still a brilliant conclusion to the greatest work in the viola repertoire, its slightly weakened musical finish is a poignant reminder of the fate of its creator, who did not live to complete it or hear it performed.

Program notes by Kenneth Woods SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E MINOR, OPUS 64 PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY III. VALSE Tchaikovsky came of age at a turning point in Russian music, a time when composers argued passionately over the direction their art should take: should they pursue a uniquely Slavic approach, emphasizing folk tales and melodies, or should they embrace the Western European classical tradition? Tchaikovsky drew on both Russia and the West, resulting in an ambiguity that (many critics have argued) hampered him in writing the Westernstyle symphony. But more recent scholars argue that just because Tchaikovsky does not fully adhere to rigorous sonata form does not mean that his symphonies lack structure or development. Tonality and ambiguity play large roles in driving an emotional narrative.

The third movement is a light-footed waltz, as elegant as any of Tchaikovsky’s, that begins in the string section and is answered by the reeds. After an exciting scherzo and a return to the waltz themes, Fate once again delivers a low, ominous warning, disguised in the same courtly rhythm.

Program notes by Joule Zelman

22 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

APPALACHIAN SPRING AARON COPLAND In the 1930s, Aaron Copland wrote that he was making a significant change in his style. “I felt that it was worthwhile to see if I couldn’t say what I had to say in the simplest possible terms.” Additionally, he was committed to creating a distinctive American voice in music. “It was Copland’s genius for finding the memorable, evocative musical phrase that moved him from the avant-garde maverick to the voice of America.” (Barbara Heninger, program note annotator) He succeeded brilliantly.

Composer Virgil Thompson called him “The President of American Music.” His music in this regard was so effective, so endearing, so comprehensible, so identifiable as ours that he singularly defined the American spirit in music. On one occasion, the composer recalled that an audience member, after hearing Appalachian Spring in 1981, came up to him and said, “Mr. Copland … when I hear your music, I can just see the Appalachians and I just feel spring. …” Mr. Copland concluded, “Well, I am willing if they are!”

Appalachian Spring (for chamber orchestra) began as “Ballet for Martha,” referencing Martha Graham’s ballet troupe. According to Copland, the music was based on his friendship with Graham herself. “I was thinking primarily about Martha and her unique choreographic style, which I knew well. Nobody else seems quite like Martha: she’s so proud, so very much herself. And she’s unquestionably very American: there’s something prim and restrained, simple yet strong about her which one tends to think of as American.”

Copland met Martha Graham in the early 1930s at a concert that featured his Piano Variations. She told the composer she wanted to dance to it; Copland told her that was “impossible.” Proving him wrong, she created the dance Dithyramb. Copland was thunderstruck. “Surely only an artist with an understanding of my work could have visualized dance material in such a rhythmically complex and thematically abstruse composition.”

The composer began work on Appalachian Spring in 1943, commissioned by the Foundation of Arts patron Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, who paid him $500 “for a dance piece.” Martha Graham (who actually titled the work) had been inspired for a ballet by Hart Crane’s poem, “The Dance,” which included these words: O Appalachian Spring! I gained the ledge; Steep, inaccessible smile that eastward bends And northward reaches in that violet wedge Of Adirondacks!

The ballet received the Pulitzer Prize in May 1945. Copland orchestrated the chamber score, and the Suite for Orchestra premiered in 1945 with the New York Philharmonic.

The setting is the early 19th century, on the site of a Pennsylvania farmhouse that was a wedding gift to a young couple.

Copland wrote, “The bride-to-be and the young farmer-husband enact the emotions, joyful and apprehensive, which their new domestic partnership invites.

An old neighbor suggests, now and then, the rocky confidence of experience. A revivalist and his followers remind the new householders of the strange and terrible aspects of human fate. At the end the couple are left quiet and strong in their new house.”

Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock.

Folksy feeling — suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers.

Still faster. Solo dance of the Bride — presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder.

Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction.

Calm and flowing. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by author Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title “The Gift to Be Simple.” The melody most borrowed and used almost literally is called “Simple Gifts.”

Moderate. Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end the couple are left “quiet and strong in their new house.”

Muted strings intone a hushed prayerlike chorale passage. The close is reminiscent of the opening music.

The above became iconic American music, deeply embedded and embraced in our culture. The seventh section, “Simple Gifts,” sometimes tends to “steal the show.”

In response, Copland made a separate arrangement for orchestra, titled “Variations on a Shaker Tune,” which has also become part of our American musical heritage.

Program notes by Marianne Williams Tobias, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 2017

The ballet had 14 segments; the orchestral version eight. The composer kindly provided the following road map: Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light.

Fast. Sudden burst of unison strings in A Major arpeggios starts the action. A sentiment both elated and religious gives the keynote to this scene.

Moderate. Duo for the Bride and her Intended — scene of tenderness and passion.

2022-2023 SEASON • 23

CONCERT PROGRAM Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College

Saturday, May 6, 2023, 3:00PM

STRING ORCHESTRA & REPERTORY ORCHESTRA STRING ORCHESTRA | JOSEPH GUMPPER, CONDUCTOR MANNHEIM SYMPHONY NO. 1 IN G MAJOR Johann Stamitz (1717-1757) I. Allegro BROOK GREEN SUITE FOR STRING ORCHESTRA Gustav Holst (1874-1934) I. Prelude II. Air III. Dance KYRIE - REQUIEM K626 FOR STRING ORCHESTRA Wolfang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1781) , arr. Gerald R. Doan

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA | DAVID BECK, CONDUCTOR SYMPHONY NO. 8 “UNFINISHED” IN B MINOR, D.759 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) I. Allegro moderato CELLO CONCERTO NO. 1 IN A MINOR, OP. 33 Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) III. Molto allegro Liam Sullivan, cello 2023 Lois Lyman Concerto Competition Second Place Winner SUMMER DANCES Brian Balmages (b. 1975) RADETZKY MARCH Johann Strauss Sr. (1804-1849)

24 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

STRING ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Ruchir Bollapragada Adalyn Fanning Victoria Gentile Pavithra Jayakumar Ci-Le Lee Angela Li Xingchen Lin Vincent Liu Ciarra Miller Angelina Molina Olamide Oladimeji Isabella Xu Gianna Zhang Joelene Zheng Thomas Zhong SECOND VIOLIN Kevin Bao Micah Chen Victoria Chung

Ann Hu Leyao Huang Navin Huskie Andrew Kim Emily Kim Elena LaFaver Luen Lee Giuliana Palmieri Ivy Smith Rowan Spencer Christina Sui Joanna Zhao

Andrew Cunningham Alanea Geweye River Henriksen Jacob Hong Emma Shao Alexander Skuza Mia Sun Albert Zhang DOUBLE BASS Gabriella Clark Abigail Edgar

VIOLA Austin Cao Margaret Stuart Simran Utturkar CELLO Annabelle Brin Kaiden Bubenik

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Lyra Lenigk, Concertmaster Lauren Lee-Chung, Assistant Concertmaster Annalise Bourassa Sarah Byun Charlotte Chen Rohan Huskie Rose Janicke Everest Kuang Daniel Lin Jeanne Lu Juan Manrique Elise Silfer Esti Simcoe Tallis Wild Annabelle Zhang Stella Zhang SECOND VIOLIN Emily Tribou, Principal Lily Scicchitano, Assistant Principal Ratna Bandaru Vidhu Bulumulla Daniel Byon Catherine Cheng Madeline Epping James Gong Tarun Jacob Isabelle Mason Marisa Mazzacco Chloe Myat Annika Polk Lucy Quoma Olana Schillinger

Ankur Senapati Selena Tang VIOLA Michael Wu, Principal Anika Sohn, Assistant Principal Caleb Gascoyne Matthew Kim Anya Miller Samuel Wang Yuna Chung * CELLO Brendan Yan, Principal Natalie Teal, Assistant Principal Alice Chen Sonja De Piro Ulka Jerabek ZiWei Daniel Liu Justin Mo Andrew Ngai Gio Ok Emily Winans Sophia Xin Young Xu Chloe Zhang BASS Michael Jantson, Principal Avery Subik, Assistant Principal Finley Jones Alexander King Katie Myers FLUTE Sara Bubenik

Inari Sohn Coco Yang Nini Yang OBOE Adam Judson Emily Shim CLARINET David Lichtenwalner Madeleine Rocheleau-Holmes BASSOON Jeanine Cao HORN Brennan Hawkins Anthony Padula TRUMPET Harlow Kung David Zhao TROMBONE Brendon Cao Alis Fruehstorfer Luyanda Pieterse Maeve Newkirk * TIMPANI Austin Ernst PERCUSSION Tim Kelsey * On Leave

2022-2023 SEASON • 25

CONCERT PROGRAM Bethlehem Central Middle School

Sunday, May 7, 2023, 3:00PM

CONCERTINO STRINGS, WINDS & BRASS ENSEMBLES CONCERTINO STRINGS | LEO MILMAN, CONDUCTOR BRANDENBURG CONCERTO NO. 3 J.S. Bach, arr. Richard Meyer I. Allegro LULLABY TO THE MOON Brian Balmages SARABANDE Carl Bohm, arr. Leo Milman M TO THE THIRD POWER Carold Nunez

CONCERTINO WOODWINDS | JULIE TAYLOR, CONDUCTOR BEETHOVEN TRILOGY arr. Joseph Pappas IRISH TUNE FROM COUNTY DERRY Percy Grainger, arr. Frank Erickson JUPITER SYMPHONY W.A. Mozart, arr. Bruce R. Smith Minuetto from Symphony No. 41 THREE SUSATO DANCES FROM THE DANSERYE Tielman Susato, arr. David Marlatt La morisque Les quatre Branles La Battaille

CONCERTINO BRASS | SCOTT HOPKINS, CONDUCTOR THE ENTERTAINER Scott Joplin, arr. Andy Clark KANON Johann Pachabel, arr. David R. Thomas TURKISH MARCH W.A. Mozart, arr. Jeremy Corcoran UPTOWN FUNK Mark Ronson, arr. Scott Hopkins

26 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

CONCERTINO STRINGS PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Mackenzie Cady Haley Clark Amelia Hicks Matthew Huang Delphine Mann Kenton Pack Theigen Plumley Clare Snyder Ivan Zhang Yuni Kwon * SECOND VIOLIN Anna Barnes Jonah Chen Bella Crowe Ariana Elguero Sophia Hemmid Bhavyanshu Kandlakunta Hannah Keegan

Tallulah Mann Sianna Orr Tienzen Plumley Aydia Raiff Anushka Senapati Violet Stasi Vince Trimm Esti Simcoe * Glenjenee Robertson * VIOLA Augustin Bebe Brianna Harding LaurenRose Mele Angela Page Xrysanthi Sokaris Alina Song Ben Xu Anika Sohn *

CELLO Rileigh Barton Lilianna Cartier Ilan Kogan Laina Mo Mark Shao Adele Zebrowski Natalie Teal * BASS Olivia Meka * Guest Manager – Kathryn Sokaris

CONCERTINO WOODWINDS PERSONNEL FLUTE Abigail Fazziola Clare Kowalski Adelyna LaFountain Peyton Latta Ellieanna Pettinger CLARINET Fiona DeSimony Schuyler Klee Parker Skipp

SAXOPHONE Kaitlyn Patneaude Valentino Stano James Sweeney BASSOON Emma Padula Joseph Zitofsky

CONCERTINO BRASS PERSONNEL FRENCH HORN Emma Miller TRUMPETS Caleb Devernoe Jonah Clermont Liam McElwey Bailey McShane Andrew Padula Matthew Syta Daniel Woo

TROMBONES Crosby Belisle Kyle Foster Spencer Lampman Silas McAneny Declan Pogue Kendall Rochler EUPHONIUMS Adam Hawrylchak Zoletta Palmer

2022-2023 SEASON • 27

CONCERT PROGRAM Brown School

Sunday, May 7, 2023, 7:00PM

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES CONCERTINO PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE | HANNAH DICK, CONDUCTOR MAMBO SCHMAMBO (1999) Chris Brooks DUET Ignace Pleyel, Arr. Anthony Cirone

CHAMBER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE JOHN ANTONIO, CONDUCTOR | GENOVEFFA VITALE, CONDUCTOR TEAMWORK Lynn Glassock DRUMS OF MORIA ( 2019) Nathan Daughtrey ALLEGRO FROM CONCERTO GROSSO NO. II, OP. 6 (1653-1713) Corelli, Arr. Ruth Jeanne

REPERTORY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE JOHN ANTONIO, CONDUCTOR | GENOVEFFA VITALE, CONDUCTOR HIGHLIFE (1988) Phil Faini POWER STRUGGLE Nathan Daughtrey

YOUTH PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE RICHARD ALBAGLI, CONDUCTOR | MARK FOSTER, CONDUCTOR SEXTET FOR PERCUSSION (1970) Zita Carno I. Fast II. Quiet, sustained III. Moderately fast, strongly rhythmic (IT’S JUST) TALK (1987) Pat Metheny, arr. Steve Houghton, Tom Warrington Clara de Long, Vibraphone soloist

28 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

CONCERTINO PERCUSSION PERSONNEL Ryan Ford Lucas Griffin Nathaniel Hoffman Lizzie Tallman Ryan Zhang

CHAMBER PERCUSSION PERSONNEL Ryan Cartier Sophie Freed Sophie Gatzen Elijah Ketzer Liam MacFee Mia Montross Jahan Trivedi

REPERTORY PERCUSSION PERSONNEL Declan Armbruster Jeremy Cintron Noah Florussen Nadia Hawrylchak Sophie Ho Liam Johnson Sarah Martino Matthew Pallone Angelina Pidgeon Liam Smith Max Zheng

YOUTH PERCUSSION PERSONNEL Kingston Czajkowski Clara de Long William Lauricella Thaddeus Mangione Issah Marsico von Lutz Tommy White

2022-2023 SEASON • 29

THE ESYO EXPERIENCE Founded by parent and music teacher Barry Richman in 1979, Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) challenges and inspires more than 600 of the most talented youth from the Capital Region of New York, Western New England, and all walks of life. These youth achieve musical excellence through intensive instruction and highlevel performance. Through twelve performing ensembles and ESYO CHIME, ESYO is igniting a lifelong love of music in the youngest members of our communities, and breaking boundaries between communities and backgrounds to grow the future of music.

ESYO’s progressive program nourishes students in elementary through high school, growing with them as they expand their musical and personal capabilities. But the ESYO experience is about more than exceptional music.

Through ESYO, young people build confidence, practice teamwork, and cultivate personal drive, giving them the skills to achieve success in music, college, and beyond. ESYO alums go on as leaders in fields as diverse as engineering and art. They can also be found in all areas of the music industry, from national orchestras and recording studios to music classrooms.

ESYO also seeks to expand its impact beyond its membership, believing music can be a catalyst for social change in the communities in which ESYO musicians live, learn, and play. This belief is why ESYO has helped raise more than $8 million for Albany Medical Center’s pediatric oncology program through 30 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

the Melodies of Christmas concerts.

To further expand its impact, ESYO launched CHIME in 2015. Through free, daily music instruction and mentorship, CHIME provides young musicians in Schenectady and Albany schools with comprehensive support from elementary through high school.

The CHIME team places children on the path to musical excellence and cultivates skills needed to succeed in all areas of life, including collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

The ESYO experience now includes concerts at Carnegie Hall, benefit performances, master classes with exceptional musicians like the Shanghai Quartet, DEKA Quartet, and the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, and international tours of Europe and Asia.

All of this would not be accomplished without the support and the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and foundations whose gifts are an investment in the future of music.

ESYO envisions exceptional youth ensembles and orchestras that reflect the diversity of our vibrant communities, and that share a joyful passion for music making. ESYO values musical excellence as a joyful pursuit, accessible to all regardless of socioeconomic conditions.

ESYO is a community catalyst for artistic celebration and innovative collaboration.

For more about ESYO, audition information, or to pledge your support, go to esyo.org.

LEARN MORE

EXCELLENCE CURIOSITY COMMUNITY

The mission of the Bard Conservatory double-degree program is to provide the best possible preparation for a person dedicated to a life immersed in the creation and performance of music. bard.edu/conservatory/undergraduate conservatoryadmission@bard.edu 845-752-2409 Photo by Hsiao-Fang Lin

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT

THE EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA Our region’s premier youth orchestra for the last four decades.

SOUTHWOODS INVESTMENT GROUP OF JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC 7 Southwoods Boulevard, Suite 200, Albany, NY 12211 518.426.8227 | 866.830.5124 | SouthwoodsInvestmentGroup.com © JA NNEY M ONTGOM ERY S COT T LLC • ME MBE R: N YS E , FIN RA, S IP C • REF. 7 94 950-08 22

2022-2023 SEASON • 31

THE ART OF LISTENING Whether listening to a masterful piece by one of the classical giants or a lead-edge work by a living composer, orchestral music invites you into a musically daring adventure filled with excitement or stillness, joy or sadness, or triumph or loss. Your main job is to listen and be affected by what you hear. Let the music provoke you and inspire you.

Here are a few tips to help you master the art of listening: LISTEN AS CLOSELY AS YOU CAN You've most likely heard people describe orchestral music as a relaxing escape or a perfect soundtrack to daily life. Truth is, if you listen closely, you'll hear more, notice more, and appreciate the artful message woven between the notes.

HEAR THE UNIQUE QUALITIES OF THE PERFORMERS A composer is a partner in the creation of a concert. They provide the blueprint for the performance while the orchestra builds the house and adds the ornaments and furniture. With the freedom of interpretation, no single piece sounds the same.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR Music is organized sound, filled with patterns, themes, and moods. Close your eyes and try to visualize what you hear. Do you see colors, shapes, characters or dancers, places, or locations? What is the story that is unfolding?

As you are listening, ask yourself the following questions: 1. What is the mood, feeling, or character of the music? Is it staying the same or changing?

2. Is the music loud or soft? Does it suddenly change?

3. Timbre: What instruments are sounding together? What new sounds are created by different combinations of instruments?

4. What is the tempo of the music? Can you feel the beat in your body?

5. Do you notice recurring themes that you heard previously?

6. What are the other instruments doing if they don’t have the melody?

7. Musical conversations: Do different instruments or sections call or respond to each other?

8. Rhythms and emphasis: How are the rhythms different or complimentary?

MUSIC IS A TAPESTRY When you take the time to listen and enjoy it, you will always hear something new or different. You don't need to be a musician or an aficionado to enjoy an ESYO concert. All you need is an open ear and an open mind. Let the music affect you, visualize what you hear, and connect it to your life. Most importantly, give yourself a break from email, social media, texting, and screens. Let the music speak to you, especially if it challenges you to listen differently.

JUNE 24–JULY 8, 2023 Study with world-class performers and inspirational teachers www.skidmore.edu/summerjazz

32 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

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ESYO YOUNG LEADERS ESYO’s Young Leaders (YL) program provides opportunities for the next generation of musicians and arts leaders to gain hands-on experience and assist in the programs of an internationally-recognized youth orchestra. Young Leaders participate an average of 8-10 hours a month in a variety of ways, including professional development workshops and trainings; volunteering in special events, community projects, and administrative tasks; engaging as ESYO teaching assistants and ambassadors; and serving on ESYO's Board of Directors. Past student-led YL community projects have included an instrument and music supplies drive, volunteer music festival, outreach presentations in local schools, Soundwalk in Washington Park, and virtual collaborative music projects.

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

THE EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA 34 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Summer Music Academy PERFORM AT YOUR HIGHEST LEVEL.

Take your musicianship to new levels in a residential, supportive environment with other musicians from across the country.

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION July 9–22, 2023 • Entering grades 10–12 • Orchestra, wind ensemble, voice, and jazz programs INTERMEDIATE DIVISION July 23–29, 2023 • Entering grades 7–9 • Band, orchestra, and voice programs Registration Opens on December 1!

Learn more at ithaca.edu/sma.

Train for a

career

you'll love!

Start Here:

(518) 362-4453 • mildred-elley.edu 2022-2023 SEASON • 35

ESYO SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS 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 challenges 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.

BARRY RICHMAN CAREERS IN MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED BY BARRY RICHMAN 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 their ensemble, serves as a role model to their peers, has made outstanding musical contributions, and plans a career in music.

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.

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 launch of ESYO’s CHIME in 2015 to provide a free, comprehensive music program for economically disadvantaged children, and her active community engagement sparked numerous collaborative projects both regionally and internationally. This 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 HELEN CHA-PYO GOLDEN BATON AWARD This 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.

Additional scholarship funds were made possible through the generosity of donors in response to ESYO’s Annual Appeal.

If you are interested in more information about funding a named scholarship, please reach out to Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle at amgormandoyle@esyo.org.

36 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Future of Music Is in Good Hands Wilson Elser is a proud supporter of Empire State Youth Orchestra. We share ESYO’s belief in the power of music, applaud the talented youth that participate in its programs and acknowledge the dedicated staff and volunteers both on and off stage whose efforts help bring such harmony to our community. Bravo!

We wish ESYO a wonderful 2022-2023 season.

wilsonelser.com Peter Lauricella Regional Managing Partner 518.320.3607 peter.lauricella@wilsonelser.com

Helping businesses, professionals and individuals resolve their most complex legal issues and disputes. © 2022 Wilson Elser. All rights reserved. 424-22

The Univeristy at Albany is proud to support the

Empire State Youth Orchestra

38 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

With Crane’s 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll benefit from close relationships with world-class music professors

Crane's recent $29 million renovation offers state-of-the-art rehearsal rooms to master your instrument

Learn more

potsdam.edu/crane

Supporting the Arts for over 50 Years!

The Open Door

Bookstore & Gift Gallery

A Locally-Owned Independent Bookstore Since 1971 128 Jay Street • Schenectady • (518) 346-2719 www.opendoor–bookstore.com

2022-2023 SEASON • 39

ENDOW A CHAIR AN ENDURING GIFT Endowing a chair provides reliable, ongoing funding to underwrite key ESYO programs and retain outstanding musicians. Because endowed chairs are named in perpetuity, they offer a special opportunity to recognize your gift or honor a person or cause that is dear to you.

To discuss endowing a chair, contact Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle, Development Director at amgormandoyle@esyo.org or 518.382.7581.

40 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

YOUR NEXT STEP. OUR PROGRAMS.

DIGITAL MUSIC AND BEAT PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE MUSIC CERTIFICATE MUSIC AUDIO TECHNOLOGY A.A.S. PERFORMING ARTS: MUSIC A.S. Individual lessons in musical theatre, jazz and classical styles.

Classes in traditional, hip-hop and contemporary styles.

The SUNY Schenectady School of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION Contact us at schoolofmusic@sunysccc.edu or 518-381-1231 ext. 2 for audition dates.

Scholarships available.

sunysccc.edu/music

CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Discover Your Sound Fall Admissions Classical Music

Instrumental Performance Voice and Opera Studies Composition

Jazz Studies Music and Technology

Studio Composition Studio Production

Pre-screening audition deadline is January 9

purchase.edu/music

2022-2023 SEASON • 41

ACCESS ESYO ACCESS ESYO is an online “pay what you can” ticketing system that empowers audiences to participate at a level they can afford while safeguarding individual integrity. We want our ESYO families, friends and supporters to enjoy our youth performances without undue financial hardship.

ACCESS ESYO allows for the purchase of concert tickets for as little as $1 per seat, and is sustained through an ongoing “pay it forward” campaign that invites donors to contribute the “gift of music” to our online ACCESS ESYO ticket bank.

ESYO has never turned away a qualified musician due to economic hardship and annually awards more than $30,000 in scholarships and tuition assistance. Now, we are taking steps to ensure that we never turn away an enthusiastic audience member for the same reason.

Please take advantage of ACCESS ESYO to bring your entire family to enjoy the outstanding performances of our youth musicians. Please give generously, if you are able, to ensure that our Ticket Bank remains solvent throughout the season!

HOW DOES ACCESS ESYO WORK? PURCHASE your ticket(s) online through ACCESS ESYO for as little as $1 per seat. Remember, ACCESS ESYO is designed to make concert-going affordable, and exists for those who most need the assistance.

Suggested ticket prices: $10-$20 DONATE to ACCESS ESYO by contributing a “seat” for a future patron!

Made possible, in part, by a Futures Fund Grant from the League of American Orchestras, and by donors like you.

ESYO.ORG/SUPPORT/ACCESS-ESYO

42 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

CONTRIBUTIONS | A YEAR OF GRATITUDE Look what we came through & see what we’ve done! All this was possible because donors stood by our side. The following is a list of gifts over $500 received from Jan. 1 2021 to October 15, 2022. We apologize for any errors or omissions and would be grateful to have them called to our attention.

CORPORATE SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS $20,000 AND UP Carnegie Hall Weill Institute The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the NY State Legislature REA Charitable Trust The Van Norton Family Foundation $10,000 - $19,999 Albany Medical Center The Belova Stetson Fund Bender Family Foundation The McCarthy Charities M&T Charitable Foundation The Review Foundation The Schenectady Foundation Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation The Times Union* $5,000 - $9,999 BBL Construction Services The Berkshire Bank Foundation The Henry M. Butzel Family Foundation Community Foundation for the Capital Region Barry Alan Gold Memorial Advised Fund

Community Foundation for the Capital Region Patton Fund D’Addario Music Foundation Sistema USA Presto Grant

The University at Albany Foundation $500 - $999 Apple Cap Com Federal Credit Union Cengage Learning Matching Gifts Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region Paul & Alane Hohenberg Fund Fenimore Asset Management The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies Pioneer Bank Foundation WSP Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999 AYCO Capital Bank A Division of Chemung Canal Trust Company Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region Community Foundation Red School House Fund Community Foundation *Includes In-Kind for the Capital Region Donations Foy Fund Curtis Lumber DONORS GE Matching Gifts Program TRANSFORMING Global Foundries Matching VIRTUOSO CIRCLE Gifts Program ($20,000 AND UP) Janney Montgomery Scott Roger & Sherley Hannay Richman Network for Good MAESTRO CIRCLE Pearl Grant Richmans ($10,000 - $19,999) Price Chopper’s Golub Shirley Miller Foundation Prudential Matching ENRICHING Gifts BRAVO CIRCLE Schenectady County ($5,000 - $9,999) Initiative Program Stefon & Shané Harris SEFA United Way Heather & David The Stewart’s Manthey Foundation Barry & Nancy Richman Takeda Pharmaceuticals Charles & Donna Slavik Matching Gifts George A. Vorsheim

2022-2023 SEASON • 43

FANFARE CIRCLE ($1,000 - $4,999) Etienne Abelin Kathleen & Richard Ahl Robert & Patricia Altman John & Beth Antonio* Anastasia Arnold & Lee R. Boot Al Aumick Robert, Trish, & Griff Bengraff Kurt Bratten Marlene Brody Robert E. Brown Eric Bryson & Gina Falzarano Charles & Charlotte Buchanan Jon & Rebecca Calos Bianca & Philip Carter David Casper Sarah Cavanaugh Helen Cha-Pyo & Daniel Pyo Heather Chan Robert & Mary Chase in memory of Erica Chase-Salerno Nicole Cherubini & Patrick Purcell Paul & Mary Clyne John Crable Grace & Thomas Davitt Patrick Doyle & Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle Suzanne Erb & Andrew Bowd Matie Flowers & Joe Visalli James Fossett James & Deborah Freis Robin Gold Maureen Gorman & Alan Sykes David & Patricia Gosda John & Michelle Haller Beverly Harrington John & Harriet Hart Walter Hayes & Jean Brand Hayes

E. Stewart Jones & Kimberly Sanger Jones Kathryn Lake Kevin Lau & Karen Tan Peter & Lori Lauricella Susan & Michael Maloney* Charles & Debra McCambridge Patty Michaelson & Walter Klisiwecz Lee & Sharyn Miller Paul D. Moore Jagat & Jigisha Patel Don & Lois Porter Scott Provancher & Teresa Hoelle Thomas F. Read Brian Sacawa Christopher Shiley Larry Shore Elizabeth Silver Chang Sung & hang Byun Liz & Noel Varghese Marjorie & Russ Ward Shu-lun & Dan Weinheimer Omar Williams Rory & Bonnie Wood Rui Yang & Changlong Zhong Ellen Yu Vicky Yu & Zhiqiang Wang

Alex & Christina Dell Celeste & Marc Dickie Lynn & Marc Edgar Thomas & Alison Enokian Anthony & Lucille Esposito Joanne & Jeffrey Gleba Gareth Griffiths Fred Hershey Caitlin & Brendan Joyce Kristin Knickerbocker & Jeffrey Bak Michael Kolodziej & Regina Resta Jill & Ted Kostyniak Beatrice Kovasznay* Ellen Liu & Martin Yan Gaelen McCormick Thomas McNamara Joyce Michaelson Craig Miller & Dalene DeHaney-Miller William & Elizabeth Moll Kevin & Pat O'Bryan Carlos Pesquera Michael Range in memory of Sandrina Range Thomas & Evelyn Read Herbert & Cynthia Shultz Alan Smith Christopher Sohn & Sara Wengert Lucinda Strasenburgh Melissa Welch & Jason Kneaskern Todd Wetzel Ronghua Yu & We Zhang Li Zhang & Claire Liu Kathryn Zox

SUSTAINING CONCERTMASTER CIRCLE ($500 - $999) Nita & Rajesh Ahuja Eric and Sharon Andersen *Includes In-Kind Anonymous Donations Alan & Eric Bare in memory of Lois Bare MAKE YOUR Bernard & Margaret DONATION TODAY! Bourdeau ESYO.ORG Joan & David Brown Ben & Sarah Chan Haijun Chen and Dawei Liu Barbara & Julian Cherubini

44 • EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA

THE JOYFUL PURSUIT OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE Our music is challenging and exciting, and offers endless opportunities for growth! We know that you understand the benefits ESYO brings to the Capital Region, and we are asking for your support as we continue to offer great musical opportunities to every child who wants them.

On average, our tuition covers just 40% of the actual cost of programming. Your donation supports musicians with financial constraints, and you are also supporting every ESYO musician. Your dollars allow us to continue providing amazing programming, master classes, teaching staff, touring and more. 57% of our contributions come from private donations from people like you. We quite literally cannot do it without you.

We need your support more than ever. Help us provide access to musical excellence—and serious fun—for all children. We are so grateful for your gift!

Donate online at esyo.org, scan the QR code, or please return this form to: Empire State Youth Orchestra 432 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305

Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________ Phone ______________________________________

How would you like to be recognized in the ESYO playbill? _______________________________________

~ I would like to be anonymous ~ Enclosed please find my check in the amount of $ ___________ ~ Please charge my credit card a total of $ ___________________ ~ My employer will match my gift.

Card # ___________________________________________________ Expiration ______ / ______

Security Code _________________

Name as it appears on card ________________________________ Signature ________________________________________________ Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thank you for your generous donation!

CHOOSE A SUPPORT LEVEL TRANSFORMING ~ Virtuoso: $20,000 and up ~ Maestro: $10,000 - $19,999 ENRICHING ~ Bravo: $5,000 - $9,999 ~ Fanfare: $1,000 - $4,499 SUSTAINING ~ Concertmaster: $500 - $999 ~ Prelude: $100 - $499 ~ Friends: Up to $99

2022-2023 SEASON • 45

Learn from a dedicated resident faculty

Belong to a fiercely supportive community

Discover your own path

For application information visit esm.rochester.edu/admissions

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Continuing to make beautiful music together.

Nobody tells the story of our community better than the

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