NYS Music 2024

Author: Carl Granfelt

  • ESYO Will Kick of The 2024-2025 Season in Troy

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) will start their 2024/25 concert season with “Confluence: A Celebration of American Music” at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Oct. 27.

    ESYO

    Led by Music Director, Etienne Abelin, in his third full season with ESYO, the Symphony Orchestra will perform a program of classical, jazz, and rock to celebrate American creativity. Confluence will explore the dynamic nature of the rhythms, stories, and emotions that have shaped the musical landscape of American culture.

    The concert will open with Copland’s iconic Fanfare for the Common Man, and Hoe Down from Rodeo. Also on the program are Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question, Samuel Barber’s emotionally rich Second Essay for Orchestra, and Jimi Hendrix’s legendary Purple Haze, arranged by Swiss American composer Daniel Schnyder. The blending of rock with classical traditions, highlights the concert’s title, confluence. The orchestra will perform two encores: Leonard Bernstein’s Mambo from West Side Story, capturing the vibrant cultural mosaic of America, followed by Somewhere, a poignant expression of hope and unity.

    The featured alto saxophone soloist, Teresa Rodrigues, will bring her lyrical prowess to Duke Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood, Horace Silver’s Peace, and George Gershwin’s Summertime, all arranged for orchestra and saxophone by Daniel Schnyder. Nina Shekhar’s Lumina, a vibrant contemporary work that contrasts light and dark to capture radiance also adds to the theme of confluence.These pieces between compositions by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and Samuel Barber, create a tapestry of sound highlighting the fluidity of American music across genres.

    “Flow is all about how music and emotions move, how they carry us forward, much like a river gathering energy and changing course. Our goal is to explore reaching states of flow in our rehearsals and performances, where skill, focus, and letting go merge, allowing the music to take on a life of its own. We’ll also be experimenting with creating seamless transitions between pieces during performances, so that the music flows continuously without interruption.”

    Musical Director Etienne Abelin

    EYSO’s calendar is full through the spring with highlights such as, the Symphony Orchestra’s collaboration with the Rensselaer Orchestra in March and April. Under the direction of Robert Whalen, they will perform Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique in “Fluid Realities.” Other season highlights include an exchange of ESYO’s Youth Jazz Orchestra with the Worcester Youth Orchestras (MA), the beloved Melodies of Christmas performances, and a tour in Central Europe with concerts in Bratislava, Vienna, and Prague.

    ESYO Season Schedule:

    Oct. 27, 2024 | 3:00pm CONFLUENCE : A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN MUSIC Symphony Orchestra

    Nov. 3, 2024 | 7:00pm PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

    Nov. 10, 2024 | 3:00pm REPERTORY, STRING, & CONCERTINO STRINGS ORCHESTRAS

    Nov. 17, 2024 | 3:00pm YOUTH & REPERTORY JAZZ

    Nov. 23, 2024 | 3:00pm YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA at Worcester Youth Orchestra

    Dec. 9, 2024 CHIME (TBD) FLUTE CHOIR (7:30pm)

    Dec. 15, 2024 | 3:00pm WIND ORCHESTRA

    Dec. 15th, 2024 | 5:30pm CHAMBER & FIDDLE

    Dec. 19-21, 2024 | 7:30pm and December 22 | 2:00pm MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS

    Dec. 22, 2024 |7:30pm PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

    Feb. 12, 2025 | 7:00pm REPERTORY ORCHESTRA & CONCERTINO STRINGS

    Feb. 13, 2025 | 7:00pm STRING ORCHESTRA & YOUTH JAZZ

    Mar. 2, 2025 | 7:30pm PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

    Mar. 9, 2025 | 3:00pm WIND ORCHESTRA & REPERTORY JAZZ

    Mar. 15, 2025 PLAYATHON

    Mar. 22, 2025 | 3:00pm YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA with Worcester Youth Jazz Ensemble

    Mar. 30, 2025 | 3:00pm FLUID REALITIES: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA featuring the Lois Lyman Concerto Competition winner

    Apr. 5, 2025 | Time TBA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA with Rensselaer Orchestra

    May 2, 2025 | 3:00pm REPERTORY & STRING ORCHESTRAS featuring the Lois Lyman Concerto Competition runner up

    May 4, 2025 | 3;00pm CONCERTINO STRINGS, WOODWINDS & BRASS

    May 9, 2025 AMPLIFY OUR VOICE CHIME CONCERT

    May 11, 2025 | 3:00pm WIND ORCHESTRA

    May 11, 2025 | 5:30pm CHAMBER & FIDDLE

    May 18, 2025 | 4:00pm PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

    June 1, 2025 | 2-5:30pm FESTIVAL OF YOUNG ARTISTS AT SPAC

    June 30 – July 9, 2025 EUROPEAN TOUR (Symphony Orchestra)

    Learn more and purchase tickets here.

  • Tom Paxton’s To Play Three Final Shows In New York

    The GE Theatre presented by the Eighth Step will host one of folk legend Tom Paxton’s final shows in his farewell tour in Schenectady on Saturday, Oct. 19.

    Tom Paxton

    The Eighth Step has hosted Paxton about every two years since the mid-1980s. First, on Willett Street in Albany, then at the Cohoes Music Hall, and since 2007, at the GE Theater in Schenectady. On Oct. 19, they will once again present Grammy-winning folk legend Tom Paxton in concert with the Don Juans live at 7:30 pm. Paxton has toured and written with the DonJuans [Grammy winners Don Henry & Jon Vezner] for the past several years and as of next Spring, he will retire from touring.

    Since the beginning of Tom Paxton’s career, he has delivered clever political commentary, and poignant love songs. His story began in 1960s Greenwich Village, playing in now-legendary coffee houses like The Gaslight and befriending other folk legends like Dave Van Ronk, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Eric Anderson. Since then, has gone on to perform thousands of concerts, in places across the world like Hong Kong, Denmark, Tokyo, Oslo, and New Zealand. He has also toured England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland over 50 times and has recorded over 50 albums of his own songs.

    Recordings of Paxton songs by other artists number in the hundreds and include artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Judy Collins, John Denver, Joan Baez and Peter Paul & Mary.

    In 2009, Tom Paxton was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. In addition, he has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP, and the BBC.

    Tickets are $32.50 Advance, $37.50 day of show, and $55 Gold Circle including front center section seats and admission to the 6:30 pm Artist Reception onstage with Tom, Don and Jon. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

    Tom Paxton Farewell Tour

    Fri, OCT 18 РCaff̬ Lena -Saratoga Springs, NY

    Sat, OCT 19 – Eighth Step at Proctor’s – Schenectady, NY

    Sun, OCT 20 The Park Theatre Jaffrey, NH

    Mon, OCT 21 – The Iron Horse – Northampton, MA

    Tue, OCT 22 – Club Passim – Cambridge, MA

    Wed, OCT 23 – The Loft at City Winery New York – New York, NY

    Sat, OCT 26 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA

    Thu, NOV 14 – Triple Door – Seattle, WA

    Fri, NOV 15 – Spanish Ballroom at Elks Temple – Tacoma, WA

    Sun, NOV 17 – Alberta Rose Theatre – Portland, OR

    Tue, NOV 19 – Musical Instrument Museum – Phoenix, AZ

    Fri, NOV 22 – daniels hall – Denver, CO

    Sat, NOV 23 – TACAW – The Arts Campus At Willits – Basalt, CO

    Sat, JAN 11, 2025 – The Sofia – Sacramento, CA

    Fri, MAR 14, 2025 – The Cultural Arts Center – Glen Allen, VA

    Thu, APR 3, 2025 – Temple Isaiah – Fulton, MD

  • Buffalo to Celebrate Birthday of “Over the Rainbow” Composer Harold Arlen

    On Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 at Kleinhans Music Hall of Buffalo, the 120th birthday of legendary composer Harold Arlen will be celebrated.

    Harold Arlen

    Presented by JazzBuffalo in collaboration with Kleinhans Music Hall, a special 120th birthday celebration and concert will pay tribute to one of Buffalo’s most legendary musical icons, Harold Arlen, in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall.

    Born on Feb. 15, 1905, Arlen was the composer behind some of the most beloved songs in the Great American Songbook such as, “Stormy Weather,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Get Happy,” and, of course, “Over the Rainbow.” The latter is of course the iconic song from The Wizard of Oz that earned him an Academy Award and is frequently hailed as the greatest song of the 20th century.

    Since passing away in 1986, Arlen’s compositions have left a mark on American music, shaping the landscape of jazz and popular music for generations.

    This concert aims to highlight Arlen’s Buffalo roots by exploring where he grew up, performed, and began his illustrious career. From his early days playing piano on the S.S. Canadiana to his rise as a Broadway and Hollywood composer, Arlen’s Buffalo upbringing was integral to his success, and the event will honor the city’s role in shaping his career.

    The concert will be headlined by acclaimed jazz pianist and Western New York native Pete Malinverni, who has made a name for himself as a composer, arranger, and educator based in New York City. Joining Malinverni will be internationally renowned violinist Julie Kurtzman and rising star jazz vocalist Anaïs Reno. Together, they will bring new life to Arlen’s cherished songs, including “Over the Rainbow” through fresh arrangements and performances, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience the music of this Buffalo-born legend.

    Early bird ticket pricing is available throughout Oct. at $35 and tickets are priced at $40 afterward. Purchase tickets here.

  • Documentary “Left Behind” To Premire At Woodstock Film Festival

    On Friday, Oct. 18 at the Bearsville Theater, the documentary Left Behind will premiere as part of the 25 annual Woodstock Film Festival.

    Left Behind

    The feature documentary Left Behind follows a group of determined moms who band together to open NYC’s first public school for dyslexic students. The documentary depicts the long journey as the heroes face both institutional and personal hurdles as they try to upend a system for the city’s dyslexic youth.

    The film gives insight into the ways that the public school system ignores the needs of students with learning disabilities and, in doing so, contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. It examines the current public education system and evaluates it is not built to help students with learning disabilities succeed or thrive. This becomes especially a problem for lower income families as just about every single dyslexia-centered school in the country is privately owned. Anna Toomey’s gripping documentary chronicles a group of advocates in their struggle to start New York City’s first public school for dyslexia.

    “Powerful…inspiring Left Behind is an urgent call to action to help dyslexic kids”

    Anderson Cooper

    Director, Anna Toomey, is an Emmy Award winner as a Producer for ABC News, Good Morning America, ABC News long-form unit, and Peter Jennings Reporting on projects including The Gun Fight, an inside look at the NRA, The Century, and more. Left Behind began in 2020 after her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and she realized the inadequate resources for millions of children across the country. Toomey created, developed and directed the film and it is her first feature length independent documentary. She owns her own production company, Sandy Dog Productions, where she works on independent film projects.

    Following the screening on Oct. 18, Juju Chang, multiple Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline,” will host a Q&A on the emotional impact of dyslexia within families and the global issue of the school to prison pipeline.

    Learn more here.

  • Annie in the Water Announce Next Studio Album ‘Things To Do’

    Upstate New York natives Annie in the Water have announced their next studio album Things to Do which will be released on October 25 to go along with two shows in NY in support of the album.

    Things to Do

    As a follow up to their 2022 album Sun at Dawn, Annie in the Water’s fourth studio album was written and recorded from 2022 to 2024 at Bijou Artist Space in Malta, NY. Things to Do represents a step forward for the band towards a new sound inspired by their surroundings Upstate. Things to Do is a love letter to the region they call home.

    Musically, the album is a culmination of two years of hard work with the goal of creating a polished sound that transverses multiple genres. The songs are a reminder to honor one another, to dance while living life with intention, integrity, loyalty, and patience. Each person involved in this project left a tangible impact, creating a truly collaborative album.

    Annie in the Water is an alternative rock band from Upstate New York. Since their first album in 2011, Destination, the band’s feel good sound found its roots in acoustic guitars without limits. Their songwriting, led by guitars and synthesizers over a ground-shaking rhythm section, gives the listener the ability to traverse multiple genres.

    Annie in the Water will be playing three shows in support of their new album which are listed below. They will also have new album related merchandise and vinyl pre-sales available at upcoming shows.

    Annie in the Water Tour Dates:

    Saturday, Oct. 26th – Ophelia’s – Albany, NY (Phish at MVP Arena pre and after parties)
    Friday, Nov. 15th – Cooperstown Concert Series – Cooperstown, NY
    Saturday, Nov. 30th – Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ (Supporting Fungkshui)

    Learn more here.

  • Disturbed The Sickness 25 Anniversary Tour with Two Shows in NY

    Multi-platinum rock band Disturbed has announced “The Sickness 25 anniversary tour” that will hit Madison Square Garden on Mar. 21 and KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Apr. 4.

    Disturbed

    Disturbed’s debut album, which launched the band into public consciousness, has reached its 25 anniversary and with it, the band has announced an anniversary tour that will hit 34 cities across the US from Feb. 25 until May 17.

    Each night will feature two sets of music, opening with Disturbed playing the five times platinum The Sickness in full, followed by a full set of greatest hits. The first half of the tour will feature support from special guests Three Days Grace, featuring the return of original singer Adam Gontier, and opener Sevendust, and the second half will feature special guests Daughtry with opener Nothing More.

    On Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 10 am, tickets and VIP will be available in the artist pre-sale. Fans can pre-register for pre-sale tickets and dates in the UK and Europe will be announced soon.

    Since The Sickness was released in 2000, the album was certified five times platinum by the RIAA, spent a total of 106 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart, and Revolver named it one of “Top 25 Debut Hard Rock Albums.” Billboard said of the title track upon release: “‘Down With The Sickness’ is, of course, the quintessential Disturbed song, harnessing all the band’s seethe and its now-famous tribal beat and guitar chug into three and a half minutes of alt-metal mayhem. It’s menacing, it’s rhythmic, it’s rebellious.”

    Full Tour Dates:

    Feb 25             Nampa, ID                               Ford Idaho Center Arena*

    Feb 27             Denver, CO                              Ball Arena*

    Mar 02            Saint Louis, MO                       Enterprise Center*

    Mar 04            Milwaukee, WI                        Fiserv Forum*

    Mar 06            Minneapolis, MN                    Target Center*

    Mar 08            Chicago, IL                               United Center*

    Mar 10            Detroit, MI                              Little Caesars Arena*

    Mar 12            Louisville, KY                           KFC Yum! Center*

    Mar 14            Boston, MA                             TD Garden*

    Mar 17            Washington, DC                      Capital One Arena*

    Mar 19            Montreal, QC                          Centre Bell*

    Mar 21            New York, NY                          Madison Square Garden*

    Mar 29            Cincinnati, OH                         Heritage Bank Center^

    Mar 31            Cleveland, OH                         Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse^

    Apr 02             Philadelphia, PA                      Wells Fargo Center^

    Apr 04             Buffalo, NY                              KeyBank Center^

    Apr 05             Pittsburgh, PA                         PPG Paints Arena^

    Apr 07             Toronto, ON                            Scotiabank Arena^

    Apr 09             Indianapolis, IN                       Gainbridge Fieldhouse^

    Apr 12             Charlotte, NC                          Spectrum Center^

    Apr 14             Raleigh, NC                             Lenovo Center^

    Apr 16             Birmingham, AL                      Legacy Arena at The BJCC^

    Apr 18             Sunrise, FL                               Amerant Bank Arena^

    Apr 23             Duluth, GA                              Gas South Arena^

    Apr 25             San Antonio, TX                      AT&T Center^

    Apr 26             Fort Worth, TX                        Dickies Arena^

    Apr 28             Oklahoma City, OK                  Paycom Center^

    May 05            Seattle, WA                             Climate Pledge Arena^

    May 07            Portland, OR                           Moda Center^

    May 09            Sacramento, CA                      Golden 1 Center^

    May 10            San Francisco, CA                    Chase Center^

    May 13            Inglewood, CA                         Kia Forum^

    May 15            Phoenix, AZ                             Foot Print Center^

    May 17            Las Vegas, NV                          MGM Grand Garden Arena^

    *with special guests Three Days Grace and opener Sevendust

    ^with special guests Daughtry and opener Nothing More

    Learn more here.

  • Trombone Shorty and Foundation Announce The Return of “Getting Funky in Havana”

    Grammy-winning artist Trombone Shorty, alongside his foundation, is once again embarking on a cultural exchange known as “Getting Funky in Havana” in Cuba.

    From January 16-20, Trombone Shorty, his band Orleans Avenue, a group of young musicians from New Orleans, all members of the Foundation, and critically acclaimed Afro-Cuban/funk fusion star Cimafunk will come together for a unique cross-cultural experience. This trip will bring together artists, students, and supporters for a transformative journey of music and cultural connection.

    Getting Funky in Havana
    Photo by: Ed Aranz

    The event will feature a lineup of celebrated artists, including Taj Mahal, Grace Potter, Julius Rodriguez, Keyon Harrold, Robert Randolph, Yola, and others. Jam sessions, cultural exchanges, and performances will highlight the deep historical and musical connections between New Orleans and Cuba, fostering collaboration and creativity among all participants.

    This marks the fourth trip of its kind, inspired by Trombone Shorty’s personal connection to Havana which dates back to his childhood when in 1999, alongside his brother James Andrews, he embarked on a transformative journey to Cuba as part of a cultural exchange program.

    The music of Cuba was “hidden away from American ears on the island” for decades, but this exchange explores the musical influences and connections that have persisted between New Orleans and Cuba. The music and culture of Cuba are already infused into the larger New York City area with over 140 thousand people of Cuban heritage in the area. Our own editor-in-chief highlighted the importance of this in his own transformative journey through Cuba. You can check this story out and more in our NYS Music Goes To Cuba series.

    Approximately 100 supporters will join the musicians and students, forming a VIP travel group to Cuba. Funds raised from this effort will support educational programs led by Cimafunk and the Trombone Shorty Foundation, benefiting young artists and musicians in both Cuba and New Orleans. These efforts will include instrument donations and partnerships with local Cuban music schools and community programs, further strengthening ties between the two vibrant cultures.

    Getting Funky in Havana is organized by Cuba Educational Travel, the leader in travel and cultural exchanges between Cuba and the United States.Learn more here.

  • Liza Minnelli Joins “Drag: The Musical” as Producing Partner

    Legendary EGOT-winning performer Liza Minnelli has joined the production team of Drag: The Musical. The Off-Broadway show will premiere on Oct. 21 at New World Stages.

    Liza Minnelli

    Minnelli is making her Off-Broadway producing debut with this highly anticipated production, presented at Shubert’s New World Stages. While Minnelli has previously produced her own concerts,  DRAG: The Musical represents her first venture into producing a full-length musical.

    “Kids! DRAG: The Musical is a work of art,” Liza Minnelli says. “It’s so brilliant that I had to join as a producer! Join me at every performance. Yes, EVERY PERFORMANCE!”

    In DRAG: The Musical, two Drag Houses, both alike in indignity, vie for supremacy in a wig-snatching journey of fashion, family, and forgiveness. After a bitter split, two estranged queens bring their already simmering tensions to a boiling point when they open competing clubs. In this queen-eat-queen tale of spite and survival, there’s only one rule: no lip-synching allowed.

    Written by superstar Alaska Thunderf*ck alongside her longtime musical collaborators, multi-platinum songwriter, Tomas Costanza, and chart-topping songstress Ashley Gordon. The production is directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff (Broadway: Falsettos, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Head Over Heels; TV: “So You Think You Can Dance”) 

    Tickets for DRAG: The Musical are now available here.

  • RPI and Opera Saratoga Present “The Other Side of Silence” A New Opera for Synthetic and Acoustic Voices

    On Oct. 16, at the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at RPI in Troy, a free and open-to-the-public performance and workshop of The Other Side of Silence will be presented. This new opera is created with synthetic and acoustic voices, written by and for people who use Alternative Assistive Communication.

    the other side of silence

    The Other Side of Silence examines the intersection of art, advocacy, and technology in our lives, memories, and identities, and the role that art plays in promoting equity and agency of those who use alternative means of communication to speak to the world.

    The story draws direct inspiration from the life of Mark Steidl, a gender non-binary person who uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to talk with the world. The cast also includes Opera Saratoga favorites Meghan Kasanders (The Consul, 2017) and Jennifer Zetlan (Ellen West), as well as newcomers Theo Hayes and Isaiah Musik-Ayala.

    The story follows Zari, who was born unable to speak through traditional means. Zari finds comfort in the “Lichttanz” or the magical play of light and shadow through a window. To gain more autonomy, Zari seeks help from a new technology despite opposition from their closest friends and family.

    A medical emergency prompts an intervention where it is discovered that without Zari’s express permission, an implant in Zari to help build communication between their brain and the technology. Zari fights back against this control and eventually disrupts the connection between the implant and Kim, though Zari’s memories have already been edited and manipulated. The one memory, however, that Kim is unable to alter, is that of the “Lichttanz”, representing the infinitude of human capacity and self-knowledge, their inner strength that withstands the intervention of artificial intelligence.

    The Other Side of Silence performance is presented as part of the 2024 International Symposium On Assistive Technology For Music And Art (ISATMA).

    To purchase tickets, go here.

  • The Lawn Sausages to say Farewell After 35 years

    On Oct. 6 at Cohoes Music Hall, the Lawn Sausages will take to the stage together one last time for the “Last Schmaltz.”

    The Lawn Sausages

    The legendary schlock rock band The Lawn Sausages bring their illustrious career of comedic performances to an end with this one final show.

    Founded in 1990 as a joke and in response to a challenge from local singer-songwriter Tina Ward, the band has combined elements of The Three Stooges and Iggy and The Stooges to deliver comedy rock for the drinking man.

    Throughout their career, The Sausages have performed in some of the best dive bars in Capital Land, delivering laughs and rock music for the past three decades. Now, they’re hanging it up, but not without one ‘Last Schmaltz.’

    The band would also like you to know that this won’t be like KISS or Mötley Crüe, who have had more than their share of farewell tours. After this, all we will have are the memories.

    The entire show will be filmed for an upcoming documentary film and all of the smash hits will be played.

    Learn more and purchase tickets here.