NYS Music 2024

Category: Artist Profile

  • Alt-Rock Stars, Cowboy Junkies, Kick-off US Tour With Stops in Buffalo and Geneva

    Country and folk rock band Cowboy Junkies has announced a new tour for the fall of 2024 that will begin with two stops in New York, one in Buffalo and the other in Geneva. The tour is in support of their most recent album, Such Ferocious Beauty, which is the band’s first release of new material in five years.

    Formed just over the border in Toronto, Cowboy Junkies have been actively making and performing music for almost 40 years. Comprised of bassist Alan Anton, songwriter/guitarist Michael Timmins, drummer Peter Timmins and vocalist Margo Timmins, the quartet has recorded a total of 16 live albums and five live albums. Moreover, with Michael, Peter and Margo all being siblings, the band’s many years of unwavering togetherness only makes sense.

    Cowboy Junkies’ first album, Whites Off Earth Now!!, in 1986, kicked off their careers and was then followed up in 1988 by the now-Platinum The Trinity Season. In a world where many bands chase whatever sounds are trending, the Junkies have stayed their course, maintaining the low-impact excavation of melody and evocative language that gave them so many fans in the first place.

    About Cowboy Junkies

    The band’s newest outing, Such Ferocious Beauty, is vintage Cowboy Junkies and another dimension from the lo-fi Canadian band comprised of, well, family. As a result the album is a tangle of sonic textures, ruminating on aging, losing parents, facing mortality and creating space for one’s life in the midst of the ruin that comes from merely living. “Mike has never shied away from the darker, harder and sometimes uglier realities of our human condition,” Margo Timmins explained of the band’s singular focus, “nor has he shied from its beauty. Thankfully, with one comes the other.”

    Michael Timmins, the oldest, is the chief architect, songwriter and guitarist, who works with Margo on sculpting the emotional planes and vocal performances before bringing in younger brother Peter on drums and lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass to create the soundscapes that have made Cowboy Junkies a band that defies categories. Alternative? Rock? Americana? Roots? Perhaps the answer is a simple “yes.” Hence, the churning beauty builds on all those things, evoking the best of a group that’s evolved over three and a half decades. Michael adds, “This record is connected to All That Reckoning. I see our recent work in a cycle: Reckoning, Ghosts and Such Ferocious Beauty. They were all done in very violent and tumultuous times. The violent side is so much a part of our society now—not just the physical, but the way we relate to each other. It’s hard to escape.”

    Photo Credit: Heather Pollock

    Inside The Band

    Whether drawing on a pop culture reference like a quote culled from Mike Tyson or mining Greek mythology, there’s an ease and fluidity to how Michael draws songs together. For the sinewy “Mike Tyson (Here It Comes),” he employs a high-plains spaghetti Western tension that marries a nervy acoustic strum and tympani rolls to a creeping bassline, while “Circe & Penelope” deploys a wheezy fiddle and an acoustic guitar with its strings more flicked than strummed.

    “I love the blunt reality of this song,” Margo offers. “I love the two women’s strength and realistic view of the situation. They have a great love for their men, but also this discontent. The image of these two women waiting for their men to return but getting on with the work that needs to be done and living their lives as strong women is truly empowering and reflects upon many of the women I know today.”

    “The expectations and responsibilities of what we all do—it’s a big part of this. We’re still amazed that we’re doing this, but the longer [we have], the more fun it’s become. We don’t take it for granted,” said Michael. “We do what we do,” Margo agrees, “and it feels right for all of us. After 30-plus years of playing together, the band and its music are more important to us than ever. The music we make brings each of us a great sense of contentment, a knowing of place and a sense of doing what we were meant to do.”

    To catch Cowboy Junkies on tour and watch them perform Such Ferocious Beauty, visit their website for tickets and information. Additionally, see below for a written list of the tour dates and locations.

    Tour Dates

    9/19/24 Buffalo, NY Asbury Hall

    9/20/24 Geneva, NY Smith Opera House

    9/22/24 Kent, OH The Kent Stage

    9/24/24 Detroit, MI Masonic Cathedral

    9/25/24 Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo State Theatre

    9/27/24 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre

    9/28/24 Evanston, IL Cahn Auditorium

    9/30/24 & 10/1/24 Minneapolis, MN Dakota

    10/3/24 Des Moines, IA Hoyt Sherman Place

    10/4/24 Iowa City, IA Englert Theatre

    10/5/24 St. Louis, MO City Winery

  • TV Doctors: Albany’s Genre-Bending Instrumental Rock Trio With A Unique Twist

    Hailing from Amsterdam, New York, three-piece genre-bending instrumental band, TV Doctors, is a group on the rise. Hot off the heels of their most recent live album earlier this year, TV Doctors continue to make their mark with their unique and intoxicating sound. The upstate trio’s passion for their craft has led them on a mission to play some of the most unpredictable and entertaining live shows in the region.

    Photo Credit: Ed Conway

    Who Are TV Doctors?

    Comprised of Evan Conway, Bob Morris, and Josh Witmer, TV Doctors was informally created just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After Witmer reached out to Morris, whom he had previously been in a band with to ask about the possibility of forming a new band, Morris agreed and also recommended his bass-playing friend, Conway, as another addition. With that, the trio of TV Doctors was formed. The three only initially jammed for fun, but that all changed once the pandemic went into full swing. With all of them having nothing else to do, Conway cleaned out his garage, and the three played together in opposite corners at every opportunity they got. The name of TV Doctors came about from Morris, who kept on seeing celebrities like Doctor Phil and Doctor Oz whenever he would turn on the TV and thought it would be an entertaining theme to roll with.

    Once Conway, Morris and Witmer learned to play as a unit, everything else for fell into place for TV Doctors. “It was like zero effort. Playing together was just a fun thing to do every week, and then it kind of took off,” Witmer said. In fact, one of the only dilemmas any of them had about the band was how to describe the music they make. On their website, they categorize themselves as a mix of psychedelic rock, funk, soul, dub, beats, and noise, but the walls between genres often blur, making a truly one-of-a-kind sound. With the trio’s list of musical inspirations including Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Brian Eno, James Brown, J Dilla and the Wu-Tang Clan, TV Doctors’ refusal to conform to one genre only makes sense.

    Music and Performance Styles

    Although TV Doctors have a laundry list of styles they dabble in, the most unique aspect of their performances is completely unrelated. All TV Doctors shows are a mixture of pre-planned and improvised songs, making no two shows alike—one of the many reasons that seeing them live once is not enough. During live shows, the band will play something that they have practiced before, but if one of them gets a fun idea of where to take the track, they will do so, and the rest will go along.

    “It’s like a launch pad for ADHD,” Conway noted. While playing for keen-eared crowds improvisationally may sound like a stressful situation, the doctors take the challenge in stride. “I have absolutely no nerves going into a show with this band,” said Conway. “It’s kind of like a Ouija board, actually. We’re one brain now. Eventually, we’re going to get the message out.”

    As the pandemic slowly subsided in 2022 and 2023, TV Doctors began playing more and more live shows. In March of 2022, the trio released their first live project: recordings from a set they had at Rare Form Brewery in Troy. Since then, the band has put out three more live albums, with the most recent being Live at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co., which was released this past February.

    An Improved TV Doctors

    As a result of the experience TV Doctors have racked up through practices and public shows, they have gotten more and more comfortable handling their on-the-fly live decision-making skills. “I think that we’re getting to a spot where we can play back and forth. Those moments where things explode and get crazy are super fun, but they’re a little bit more strategic than they used to be,” Witmer said. Conway then added, “We’re also spending more time actually writing the songs. Sometimes we’ll play through something [in practice] and be like, ‘No, that kind of sucks. Let’s drop that. Let’s try this other thing the next time around.’”

    TV Doctors are almost always working on something new, and now is no different. Conway and Witmer noted that one of their goals for the near future is to make a short video package that coincides with an album release. Knowing the band’s creativity and consistency, whatever their next project turns out to be is guaranteed to be equally fun and mind-bending.

    For anyone looking to experience the doctors live, multiple shows in Gloversville, Schenectady and Albany are coming up in the next couple of months. Keep up with TV Doctors through their Facebook, Instagram and X accounts, and stream their music here.

    See below for more information on their upcoming live shows.

    Upcoming Shows

    9/13 – Glove Theater – 42 N Main St – Gloversville, NY

    10/25 – Wolf Hollow Brewing – 6882 Amsterdam Rd – Schenectady, NY

    10/26 – Lark Hall – 351 Hudson Ave – Albany, NY

  • Brooklyn Based DIIV Returns With New Album

    DIIV, a beloved band from Brooklyn, has once again captured the hearts of fans with their latest album, Frog in Boiling Water. This record showcases a band that has truly evolved while staying true to their atmospheric roots. The album and its singles—such as “Brown Paper Bag,”—have been met with widespread fan acclaim.

    DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

    The Album

    Frog in Boiling Water is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a testament to DIIV’s perseverance and growth. The album’s creation was a four-year odyssey that nearly pushed the band to its limits. With a desire to push their sound to new frontiers, DIIV embarked on an ambitious journey, navigating their own relationships and the pressures of the music industry. Fraying friendships, financial strains, and creative differences marked the process, but the band emerged from this chaos with an album that dives deep into new lyrical and musical territories.

    DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

    The result is a record that is as gorgeous as it is haunted. Frog in Boiling Water balances powerful rhythms inspired by post-industrial sounds, creating a sound that is both mighty and ethereal. It’s a mesmeric reflection on endurance, capturing the essence of existing.

    DIIV @ Brooklyn Paramount 8/7/2024 by Sam Schraub

    If you missed DIIV at their most recent homecoming show at Brooklyn Paramount, make sure to catch them live the next time they’re in New York. With each performance, DIIV not only solidifies their place in the indie music scene but also redefines what it means to create immersive, emotional art.

    All photo credit goes to Sam Schraub

  • Meet Kale, New Paltz’s Latest Jam Band Export

    Hailing from the city of New Paltz, indie trio Kale is the latest outfit to make its way into the scene.

    kale new paltz
    Kale • Jack Salzman – bass/vocals • Sam Kirschner – drums • Brendan Bartow – keys/vocals

    For the last two years, Kale has been cementing themselves as a live band fans will never forget. With a unique combination of indie rock, pop, and electronica, the trio has dedicated themselves to the music that brought them all together in the first place.

    Kale’s musical influences come from an array of bands – their love of improvisational live music came from growing up listening to the Grateful Dead and Phish. Jazz artists such as Dexter Gordon and Dave Brubeck, while the songwriting and danceable electronic/indie vibe stems from bands such as MGMT, Empire of the Sun, M83, Bombay Bicycle Club, and the Killers, are all highly influential on the band’s musical style.

    Kale is made up of three incredibly close friends; Jack Salzman (bass/vocals), Brendan Bartow (keys/vocals), and Sam Kirschner (drums). The trio formed amidst the plethora of outfits that emerged from the college town, which was the perfect atmosphere to cement their electrifying and fun-loving performance style. They released their first studio single, “Everybody’s Falling,” in October 2023, followed by “Pave the Way” in May 2024, and were met with almost immediate praise from fans who have been waiting since their 2022 live debut.

    Kale’s music is meant to emulate exactly that of their environment: the feeling of a fun and exciting night out with friends in a tangible, musical form. With their focus on the performance aspect, combined with their stellar musicianship and creative influences, it’s no surprise that Kale became a regular topic of conversation within the college student community.

    Within the last two years of Kale’s emergence, their live shows have garnered a reputation as a nonstop thrill. Their inspiration from electronica music is very much alive and displayed in their shows, demonstrated through strobe lights, elaborate visuals, and contagious energy sure to make any crowd dance. Kale is no stranger to diversity within their music, either, keeping crowds entertained with Bartow and Salzman’s characteristically indie-style vocals.

    Kale performing at the Toyota Music Den Stage at Mt. Snow in Dover, VT

    In the early days of the band, Kale wasted no time in putting themselves out there and taking over the stage. The band has opened for notable indie acts such as The Disco Biscuits, Eggy, the Q-tip Bandits, and Twiddle, and even dipped their toes onto festival stages like the Catskill Mountain Jubilee, Summer Jam, and Circus of Life.

    While the band is working on their debut album, it is clear that Kale’s party days in New Paltz are far from over. Kale has no plans on stopping their fantastic tour de force, with a new single, “The Beautiful Game,” coming on August 30 and a debut EP coming on November 1, featuring eight original studio tracks. In the meantime, the trio is supporting Dopapod at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, for their final tour on September 13. Tickets are available here.

    To check out Kale’s music, visit this link. Stay tuned for more updates, because when Kale is in town, the party never stops.

  • Sydney Irving: A CNY Country-Rock Superstar In the Making

    Sydney Irving is one of Central New York’s fastest rising up-and-coming musicians. With mature lyricism and a natural knack for music, she has worked her way up in the state’s rock and country scenes. After years of recordings and live performances across New York under her belt, she is poised to be the next big thing. 

    Sydney Irving
    Photo by Daniel Bocchino

    Irving’s musical journey began in Syracuse, in the heart of New York State. A steady musical diet of Tom Petty and Taylor Swift inspired her to take up songwriting at a young age. Her musical career truly began at age 13. After receiving a Breedlove acoustic guitar as a gift, she quickly took to penning tunes. 

    At only age 14, Irving recorded her debut album Hello Stranger. The album exudes youthful energy, with surprisingly complex lyrics for such a young songwriter. The title track is an upbeat ukulele-driven indie pop number, discussing an enigmatic and lost person. 

    Irving followed up her debut with 2018’s The Halfmoon Sessions. This sophomore effort reflects a rapid musical maturation. The record featured much more lush, acoustic instrumentation compared to her debut. The track “Where Do I Stand” reflects this musical evolution. A driving drum beat supports Irving’s acoustic guitar. Her lyricism also evolved, with the track discussing someone trying to change their fate regardless of the uncertainty it might bring.  

    She wrapped up the 2010s with a pair of EPs titled Greene and Ronan. Irving recorded these EPs with her band The Mojo in a rural log cabin. This change in scenery reflected a change in sound. These EPs saw Irving experiment with rock elements, such as on the track “Look What You Do to Me.” Songs like this marked a pivotal change in Irving’s career that would launch her to fame in the 2020s. 

    Photo by Daniel Bocchino

    Sydney Irving kicked off the 2020s with a bang, releasing the singles “You Can’t Forget About Me” and “Seasons Change.” These songs quickly soared to the top of Music Mafia Radio Top 30 Countdown, propelling Irving into the spotlight. The track “Seasons Change” is the culmination of all Irving’s previous work. It has a driving country-inspired rock groove that feels straight out of the 1970s. The lyrics about how fast life can change are supported by a catchy chorus that sticks with the listener. Alongside success on the charts, Irving received growing critical acclaim for these songs. In 2020, the International Singer Songwriters Association named Sydney Irving the Young Adult Artist of the Year. Two years later, these accolades continued with Irving winning Best New Artist at the 2022 SAMMYS. 

    2023 proved to be an especially important year for Irving, seeing the release of her 6th record, live shows, and countless awards. At the center of this year was her release Unfashioned Creatures. The album featured some existing tracks, like the aforementioned “Seasons Change,” with a host of new songs. This album takes all of Irving’s influences and hones them down into a solid pop record. Tracks like “You Can’t Forget About Me” and “Rain” continue her explorations into Tom Petty-inspired heartland rock. The song “Find Me” is a highlight of the album, sounding straight off of a folksy Taylor Swift album. Unfashioned Creatures illustrates Irving at the top of her songwriting game, and has likewise only increased her notoriety. 

    In addition to her new release, Irving toured nonstop throughout 2023. Of special note was her performance at Binghamton’s Spiedie Fest. She took the stage on the final day of the festival in support of headliner Gavin Degraw. During her set, Irving had the audience captivated in no time. Across her original songs and covers of Ramones and Taylor Swift, Irving kept the audience clapping and singing along. Shows like this illustrate that Irving, while just getting started, already has the stage presence and charisma as a veteran touring musician. 

    Her newest album and touring have helped make a name for Irving among music critics. In 2023, she was recognized as the Best Pop Artist at the Mississippi Music Awards, showing just how far her music has reached. Back home in Syracuse, Unfashionable Creatures also won Best Pop Album at the 2024 SAMMYS. 

    This year, Sydney Irving has continued to release music, with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Parton’s music has been a major inspiration on Irving’s songwriting. In many ways, the choice to cover this song reflects Irving’s aspirations in the music industry. She said  “I could only hope to someday be able to write as many extraordinary songs that strike a chord in a listener the way Dolly has done. She is a lyric goddess!” Shannon Steele of Kickin’ Kountry 101 radio called Sydney Irving’s cover “the real deal.” 

    Sydney Irving's "Jolene"

    This massive success has only increased Irving’s hard work. Throughout July and August 2024, Sydney Irving will be performing near daily concerts across Central New York. With shows hitting the big cities of Syracuse and Binghamton, and small towns in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks, fans across the state can witness her songs in person. These shows also illustrate Irving’s ability to conquer the stage, no matter the size. She will be performing everywhere from local breweries to large outdoor festivals, even doing a set at the Utica Zoo. 

    With so many albums and concerts already under her belt, Sydney Irving has nowhere to go but up. She already illustrates a mastery of pop melodies and emotional songwriting, matched by a glowing stage presence. Keep Sydney Irving on your radar, as she is one of the fastest up-and-coming musicians in all of New York State. 

    For more information on upcoming shows and releases, visit Sydney Irving’s website here.

  • Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir to Join Foreigner at SPAC

    As part of their historic farewell tour, Foreigner will play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 30th. The local Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir (BPHS) will join the group for a performance of the legendary hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

    Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir

    In the lead-up to their tour, Foreigner began a contest to involve local schools in their performances. Among the many schools that submitted audition tapes was BPHS, who Foreigner ultimately chose to perform alongside at their Saratoga Springs show. Choir director Alex Hitrick recalled the immense work the students put into this audition. “I had the students figure out the harmonies sung by the New Jersey Mass Choir in the original song, arrange it, then sing it as a group.” To Hitrick, the student’s “ability to put their passions on display while having fun” made their tape stand out. 

    The BPHS Choir has grown immensely since director Alex Hitrick began five years ago. When he began, the choir only consisted of 12 students, but has since grown to 68. This upcoming year, they will have enough students to field two choirs. These students’ hard work has allowed them to return to the NYSSMA major festival for the first time in years. In light of all of this progress, Hitrick views their upcoming show with Foreigner as “absolutely a natural progression. The students not only put in the work that it takes to be stronger musicians, but have put their hearts into everything they do.”

    Since winning the contest, the students have continued to work hard at their musical craft. BPHS will send 25 students to perform alongside Foreigner. These students have worked to fine tune all details of the song during rehearsals leading up to the show. As Hitrick admits, “While they may be a little nervous to be singing in front of thousands, I know being in the moment with each other surrounded by music will calm any nerves they may have.”

    The Broadalbin-Perth Senior High School Choir, Source: Broadalbin-Perth Central School District

    The main feeling surrounding the choir is excitement. Hitrick noticed that most students “have only heard snippets of music created from the 60s to 80s.” While many were aware of Foreigner’s hits, they did not know much about the band. After explaining Foreigner’s status as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the students recognized how important they really were. Now, Hitrick says “They cannot contain their excitement.” He specifically wanted to shout out one of his students “who will be singing every word to every song that they play.”

    This performance has already had major impacts on the Broadalbin-Perth music program. Hitrick believes that the publicity from this performance will increase numbers for the choir. He expects that all music ensembles and extracurricular activities in the district will also receive a boost. This new interest can help students explore the “many different avenues of music that students can pursue.” In addition to increased interest, there are more immediate benefits to the performance. As part of the contest, Foreigner will donate $500 to the choir program to aid in its operations. 

    Hitrick believes that music is a fundamental part of education, “it is the time of day when we get to engage our brains in a different way. It’s the time when students don’t have to think about the pile of standardized tests they have to take or the insurmountable stress that is weighing them down.” In the end, music and creativity is what makes us human, so “When shaping well-rounded individuals to be the best that they can be, we mustn’t neglect the creative side to humans, and in our case, the future of music education.” Based on what Hitrick sees in his students, he says “the future of music looks bright.”

    The performance at SPAC comes as part of Foreigner’s historic farewell tour with Styx. This tour comes after a near 50-year career that propelled Foreigner into rock stardom. Across their nine studio albums, Foreigner has racked up 14 top 20 hits. Audiences are sure to know tunes like “Cold As Ice” and “Juke Box Hero.” 2024 marks a big year for the band beyond just this tour. Foreigner’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is also scheduled for October 19th. 

    For more information on Foreigner’s July 30th show at SPAC with Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir, visit their website here. 

  • NEO Project: Ithaca-Based Band Brings The Funk All Over New York

    Hailing from Ithaca, six-piece funk band NEO Project dazzles audiences with their energetic stage presence and hypnotic fusion music. Their unique, high-energy sound and performances have blown crowds away for the better part of a decade. With an interesting mix of genres and insatiable chemistry, NEO Project is sure to put on an unforgettable performance.

    NEO project

    Since 2012, the band has been on a mission to make crowds dance with their stellar improvisation and musicianship. NEO Project is made up of Elly Holiday and Jimbo Scott as lead vocalists, John White on keyboards and backup vocals, Dwight Carroll on electric guitar and vocals, Franklin Henry on electric bass, and Mike McCoy on drums. As well-decorated veterans of the music industry, including past careers as music professors, soul practitioners, and even a former Motown sideman, they each hold a deep love and passion for funk, soul, jazz, and R&B music.

    In their many years of touring and making music, NEO Project has worn many hats when it comes to performing. Originally, they began as a funk band, but soon after realized their true potential in becoming an all-out dance band that blends a multitude of genres. Bringing in inspiration from Afro-Caribbean music, as well as soul, jazz, and R&B, NEO Project combines the genres that were truly inspirational to them, with their own improvisational twist.

    Eventually, through years of fine-tuning their sound, NEO Project became exemplary of the great diversity within the music industry, proving that genres can absolutely coexist and share the spotlight at the same time. Along with their own original music, NEO Project reinterprets some of the best soul, jazz, and funk music out there with their own unique twist, covering a wide range of artists from Deee-Lite to James Brown. Their unique sound has brought thousands from all over the state to bars, concert halls, and festivals to enjoy some new-age fusion in classic old-fashioned styles.

    NEO project

    Throughout the last ten years, the NEO Project family has performed all over New York, bringing the energy to music festivals and concert series alike. On July 11, the band headlined a performance at the Ithaca Summer Concert Series; their most recent surmounting success right from their hometown. Their most recent gig at the Finger Lakes Cider House brought the house down with their incredibly dynamic and original performance.

    NEO Project’s funky, charming tunes have brought them widespread critical acclaim, from magazines to newspapers and more. “There’s a new band based in Ithaca, NY that will have you tapping your toes and shakin’ your groove thing to its unique, fun style of Neo Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rock, and Afro-Caribbean world grooves,” says Roger Theies of What’s Hot? magazine. Harry Segal of The Dock calls them “the tightest funk fusion band in the land!”

    After a rousing ten-year anniversary, NEO Project’s reign is far from over. Catch NEO Project at The Range, 119 E State St, Ithaca, for a surefire performance that will never make you want to throw away your dancing shoes. The end of a busy season awaits the band as August begins, with headlining performances at the Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series on Wednesday, August 14. On September 2, NEO Project will perform for a private member’s exclusive event at the Ithaca Yacht Club, followed by a headlining performance at the Corning Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 21.

      For any information on the band, be sure to visit their official Facebook page, linked here.

    • Schola Cantorum Brings European Classical to Syracuse

      Schola Cantorum, an early music vocal ensemble, has been performing European classical music since 1975. Catering to a unique niche of classical music, the cantorum performs compositions from the Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque eras.

      Schola brings traditional technique and style straight from the Middle Ages to the Syracuse area. Barry Torres, Schola’s founding and present Music Director, formed the cantorum as the community based successor to an early music collegium at Syracuse University.

      Schola

      Barry Torres pursued his love of traditional music at Syracuse University, where he studied composition and music theory. Torres served 25 years as Director of Music Ensembles at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. At St. Lawrence, he taught singing and 16th Century performance practice in addition to directing the Laurentian Singers (St. Lawrence’s 28-member select choir), the University Chorus, and the Gospel Choir and Band. Torres has showcased his passion for music in the Orchestra of Northern New York, with NYS Baroque, and Sonare.

      Every season, Schola presents three or more vocal ensemble concerts, as well as smaller early music ensembles.

      Schola performing in 2009

      Since 1983, Schola Cantorum has hosted their Summer Workshop for Singers, where singers have the opportunity to expand their repertoire and develop skills specific to early music ensemble singing. In 2024, Dr. Kristina Boerger will be the director of the singers workshop. From July 25 to the 28, participants will practice the mutual attentiveness that allows singing without a conductor. Dr. Boerger specializes in elements of quality vocal production: loose and relaxed onset of sound, well-defined, resonant vowel formation, crisp consonants, and precise, speech-oriented declamation.

      The workshop is held primarily for amateurs aged 16 and up. Participants must be able to learn music and to sing in time, and in tune, from a score to attend the workshop. More information is available at the following link. For more information on classical events in your area, a link to the NYS Music classical section is available here.

      A video of a previous year’s workshop performance is available below.

    • Catch Adirondack Band nubble this Summer in the North Country

      Saranac Lake-based band nubble is set to tour around the North Country this summer, bringing their Adirondack-themed folk music with them. Their imagery and subject matter are all distinct to the Adirondacks, featuring local references and atmospheric sound.

      nubble

      nubble was formed about a year ago by Gene Baritot (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Edek Falkowski (fiddle, banjo, vocals), Christian Eggleston (bass, vocals), and Chris Radey (drums, vocals). nubble’s tour will offer an excellent opportunity to support local musicians while enjoying their unique sound.

      Their experiences living in the Adirondacks come through in their songwriting. nubble expressed the excitement about sharing their love if the region with others, saying “we have the chance to share our songs which have been entirely inspired by the beauty of the area that we live.”

      One of the band’s tracks, “Ghosts,” is about the haunted cure cottage one band member lived in. The tuberculosis cottage in Saranac Lake was featured on Animal Planet’s “The Haunted,” while another track, “Buzz Away, Black Fly”, is about the bug of certain local renown.

      nubble expressed their gratitude for the ability to “express [themselves] in [their] small mountain communities”. nubble’s goal is to “share what feels good”, and they hope the ADK feels the same way. Their album, Live at Riverside Park, is available on Bandcamp, and tour dates are available below.

      Wednesday, July 3 @ Riverside Park in Saranac Lake, NY – 7 pm

      Thursday, July 4 @ Mids Park in Lake Placid, NY – 1 pm

      Tuesday, August 30 @ Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, NY – 8 pm

      Thursday, September 12 @ South Acres Park in Plattsburgh, NY- 4:30 pm

      Saturday, September 21 @ Ausable Brewing in Keeseville, NY – 12:30 pm

    • Worth her While: Jillian Hanesworth Improves Literacy in Buffalo

      It takes hours of tireless work to become an overnight success. Word to the wise: it takes 10 years for anyone to truly begin to see results. Nobody exemplifies this more than Buffalo’s first poet laureate, Jillian Hanesworth. Recently, she won an Emmy for her poetic efforts in conjunction with the Buffalo Bills.

      Jillian Hanesworth.
      Augustus Clarke and Jillian Hanesworth pose with their 2024 Sports Emmy received at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City [Marc Bryan-Brown Photography]

      Before she began working with the Bills, Hanesworth poured in countless hours to conquer the struggle and pursue her truth. Born and raised in Buffalo – Hanesworth grew up within an artistic community where all walks of life embodied their roles to preserve art for generations to come. 

      The way that Hanesworth approaches art provides a refreshingly humble perspective. In the grand scheme of things, she views herself as a voice not the voice. Her voice is important, insofar, as it amplifies the voices of those around her, as well. 

      “You don’t have to be a known artist to be an artist.”

      -Jillian Hanesworth

      Perhaps, this humility and sacrifice toward her craft is the reason why more people are starting to hear about this phenomenal woman. Her firm dedication to uplifting those in need of knowledge without feeling any sense of entitlement strikes the perfect balance for this creative artist. 

      Purpose Plus Passion

      Hanesworth’s multilayered approach to art, activism and advocacy make her an incredible social change agent. She reimagines justice with poetry and timely demonstrations – she does not wear a crown or sit on a high horse – she sees these actions as the service she owes to her community. 

      Hanesworth proves that the art of traditional storytelling is so important. Hanesworth shares her story so well as an artist. Buffalo’s first poet laureate and a familiar face for those suffering from Buffalo tragedies – Hanesworth set out to make a difference in her community.

      Jillian Hanesworth.

      As the founder of Literary Freedom she hosted pop-up bookstores in conjunction with her Buffalo Books program. Initially, she set out on a mission in Buffalo to increase the literacy rate for young scholars within her community.

      She put a plan in place and aimed to raise $10K to reinvigorate 10 libraries. Shortly after she launched a GoFundMe, KeyBank in Buffalo met her fundraising goal to revamp selected libraries in Buffalo by putting local artwork on the walls and local authors on the shelves.

      Grind Don’t Stop

      As she put her nose to the grindstone and continued to do the Lord’s work – people began to notice her efforts. Shortly after the racially motivated shooting at Tops in Buffalo, the Bills asked Hanesworth if she could create something to help the people heal. 

      As life goes on, Hanesworth continues to find herself in situations to infuse lasting change. Those who set out to achieve something greater than themselves will ultimately find reward. From the jump, this woman set her sights on community literacy improvement and from there she has worked with several notable organizations who have given her a vehicle to move her message. 

      “Her poetry accomplishes what no politician can.”

      RD Pohl

      Hanesworth stepped into the artistic space with the right mentality and made moves according to her mission. Once people start to gravitate toward your art, it is not just about you anymore. Once your art and story arc take on a life of its own, you must ensure that you continue to double down on the reasons why you started.