NYS Music 2024

Category: News

  • Albany Symphony Announces David Hyslop as Interim Executive Director

    The Albany Symphony has announced the hiring of Interim Executive Director David Hyslop, a veteran of the orchestral industry. Hyslop brings with him decades of experience with a great number of orchestras, he is also a Schenectady native, bringing a local insight to the position.

    david hyslop

    Born in Schenectady, Hyslop’s resume includes 58 years of orchestrating, acting as the former CEO to the Minnesota Orchestra (1991-2003), St. Louis Symphony (1978-1991), Oregon Symphony (1972-1978), and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, as well as the interim executive director for more than 15 musical organizations.

    Since 2004, David Hyslop has spearheaded consulting projects throughout the country including executive searches, strategic planning, development feasibility studies for endowment campaigns, and the Wheaton Grand Theater redevelopment and business planning project in Illinois.

    “The Board of Directors of the Albany Symphony are thrilled that David Hyslop has agreed to be our new interim executive director as we look toward the future in 2024. His extensive career working with symphony orchestras around the country coupled with his knowledge and connections of the industry make him the ideal candidate as we continue to search for a permanent executive director.”

    Faith Ann Takes, Albany Symphony board chair

    Led by Music Director David Alan Miller, the Albany Symphony presents a core classical series throughout the region, a multi-day American Music Festival, performances by its cutting-edge new music chamber ensemble, the Dogs of Desire; and a family series and holiday concerts in collaboration with youth performing arts groups. The Albany Symphony’s award-winning education programs include Symphony in Our Schools, which brings musicians into classrooms for interactive music education.

    We are so fortunate to welcome David Hyslop as our interim executive director. He is one of the great figures in the world of orchestra management, and we are thrilled to have a person of such broad experience and insight guide us through this very important transition period. He is also a dear friend, with whom I worked extensively at the Minnesota Orchestra many years ago. We are deeply honored that David has agreed to help us build a strong future for the Albany Symphony.

    David Alan Miller, Albany Symphony music director and conductor

    Hyslop has received many honors throughout his career. Among these, a Minnesota Orchestra Subscription Concert was dedicated to him in his final season with the Minnesota Orchestra.

    “The David J. Hyslop Trumpet Chair” was Endowed in Perpetuity by the St. Louis Symphony. Fanfare for D.H. was commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony to honor Hyslop’s 10th Anniversary with the Symphony and was composed by Pulitzer Award winning composer Joseph Schwantner. Additionally, Hyslop was awarded a Martha Baird Rockefeller Grant in Performing Arts Management by the League of American Orchestras. Most recently, Hyslop was awarded a lifetime achievement award by his alma mater, Ithaca College.

    “I look forward to working with Albany Symphony and helping them as they move through this transition period,” said Hyslop. “It’s also very exciting to be fostering my relationships back in the Capital Region, where I was born and spent many years before going off to college.”

  • Horseheads Venue “The L” Permanently Closes

    A live music venue in Horseheads, NY has decided to permanently close its doors to the public for reasons out of their control.

    “The L,” which operates out of the Journey Church has been an attractive venue for a multitude of shows in the same space where the church holds services.

    The L Horseheads
    “The L” in action at the Journey Church

    A variety of events were offered by The L, including musical concerts, martial arts performances, film festivals, comedy, and fashion shows. As reported by WETM18, the main reason for the disappointing shutdown is the sheer volume of noise complaints the venue has caused over the years. It has also been reported that a large reason for closing stems from the church’s reduction in its tax-exempt status. The L is organized by third-party organization, iMatter, a non-profit foundation which has been facilitating events with the venue since its creation in 2021.

    Given the situation with the Town, the reduction of our property tax-exempt status, the multitude of noise complaints, the difficulty and expense of mitigating the noise issues and the strain on our people caused by putting on the “L” events, there is no way that we can continue to host The “L” at our facility at the conclusion of the 2023 season’. 

    Given these facts, the effort required to memorialize an agreement with iMatter seemed to me to be better placed elsewhere.

    From an October 30 email to Town of Horseheads Attorney John Mustico from Reverend Kevin O’Shell, interim senior pastor at the Journey Church, home of “The L”

    With these unfortunate circumstances, members of the Horseheads community are saddened and let down. Some speculate there are other motives behind the owner of the venue.

    Joey Lanzillotto, booking agent for the venue said via a post on Facebook that he hopes no one else is “duped” by the “criminal hiding behind his holy facade,” in reference to the owner and his motives. He also said “All good things must come to an end, but I’ll never forget seeing everyone pack this room and truly experience the venue this area has deserved for so long. I truly appreciate everyone who supported this vision. We love you all. We’ll be back.”

    Alexandra Kay performing at The L in Horseheads – November 2023 – photo by Allison Marie

    Many other members of the community have voiced their opinions on the WENY News Facebook page explaining that the closure of the venue is unreasonable and “a win for the Karens,” suggesting NIMBYism is at play in the closure of The L in Horseheads. A good number of commenters have stated the noise complaints are nothing short of falsehoods, and that The L has done more for their community than the church itself.

    With the closure of The L, Horseheads is now a town without a single music venue. The nearest one is Tag’s Summer Stage, 10 miles away in Big Flats. Aside from Tag’s Summer Stage, there are practically no other venues in the Southern Tier, leaving the population in this region of the state without a home for rising artists and regular, accessible live music throughout the year.

  • Disco Biscuits Announce Album Release Show At Webster Hall

    The Disco Biscuits have announced an upcoming album release show for Revolution in Motion at New York City’s famous Webster Hall. The much anticipated gig is set to take place on March 29, coinciding with the release date of the band’s first new studio project in more than nine years. It comes in the midst of an already expansive 2024 winter tour, right in between performances scheduled for Wilkes Barre, Pa and Buffalo. It also marks the return of The Disco Biscuits to Webster Hall for the first time in nearly 25 years.

    Revolution in Motion is already being touted by the Biscuits’ fanbase as the bands latest rock opera, following in the footsteps of Hot Air Balloon and Chemical Warfare Brigade. This latest one was originally conceptualized by guitarist Jon Gutwillig and collaborator Joey Friedman in 2021 before they brought Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner in to help write the following year. The songs, which tell the tale of an alien interstellar journey, have all made their way into the band’s live repertoire one by one upon completion and are now ready for their official release in album form.

    “With a large part of the space opera taking place in New York City, we thought it was only appropriate to play a show there on the day of its release,” noted Magner. “After our late-night rager at the Palladium over our New Year’s run in 2023, we can’t wait to get back to NYC and tell this story from start to finish.”

    The Album Release Show at Webster Hall will go on sale to the public on Friday, January 26 at noon E.T. An Artist Presale will begin on Wednesday, January 24 at noon E.T. with the password: RevolutionInMotion. Visit www.discobiscuits.com for more information.

  • Nick Waterhouse to Rock Bearsville Theater This April

    Radio Woodstock, WDST 100.1 has announced singer-songwriter and record producer Nick Waterhouse will be performing live at the Bearsville Theater this April.

    Bearsville Theater, located in Woodstock, will present this musical journey of shifting genres to captivate diverse audiences.

    Nick Waterhouse is known for his multi-genre music, his distinctive sound, and his dynamic stage presence. His music can be described as having elements of R&B, vintage pop, garage rock, doo-wop, and other genres. With a sound so dynamic and unique, the show at Bearsville Theater is sure to be nothing short of enchanting.

    The show is set for April 19 at 8 PM, with doors officially opening at 7 PM.

    Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST is an extraordinarily influential rock station, a stellar outlet for an artist to be involved with in any capacity. The New York Times has tagged them as their “favorite thing about around the Hudson Valley.” Radio Woodstock curates music and informational programming, advertising campaigns, digital marketing solutions, and virtual and live music experiences. Nick Waterhouse is a live music experience that one would seriously not want to miss.

    Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, January 26 at 10 AM. To purchase tickets, visit RadioWoodstock.com.

  • JazzBuffalo Announces “Art Meets Jazz” Series

    JazzBuffalo has announced the brand new “Art Meets Jazz,” series, a four-part event taking place at Beebe’s at the Gallery and the C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery with the first installment on Jan. 24 from 6-8:30 p.m.

    JazzBuffalo is the d.b.a. and brand name for the Greater Buffalo Jazz Society, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to building jazz awareness and jazz appreciation in the WNY area. The organization promotes jazz and builds audience appreciation for jazz through jazz news, live performances, concerts, festivals, jazz series, event calendaring, ticketing, hosting internationally recognized jazz musicians, and jazz education.

    Experience the harmonious blending of ‘Art Meets Jazz’ at Beebe’s at the Gallery and the C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery — an exceptional and one-of-a-kind event. With a uniquely captivating art gallery encounter and entertaining sounds of live jazz music, it is a perfect place to relax and enjoy some quality art. This event is set to provide a unique New York City-style gallery experience, brought to audiences through the collaborative efforts of Tony Zambito, producer of the renowned Art of Jazz Series, and Peter Hunt, esteemed sponsor of the Art of Jazz Series.

    “This unique collaboration represents a fusion of art and jazz, a joint effort between Peter Hunt and myself,” said Tony Zambito, founder and Executive Director of JazzBuffalo, for Buffalo Rising. “Our goal is to expand the artistic synergy between art and jazz, continuing our mission to enrich Buffalo’s cultural landscape, akin to our successful Art of Jazz Series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.”

    Beebe’s at the Gallery.

    Beebe’s at the Gallery is billed as “An art-forward events venue,” featuring a dining room that seats up to 50 people. The new venue is named after the architect of the Brisbane Building, Milton E. Beebe. For the first installment, artist Andy Russell will open exhibit 111 Alignment with artist XIII at the Hunt Gallery. 

    For the splendid jazz performance, JazzBuffalo brings DeeAnn DiMeo, affectionately known as DeeAnn, who has been entertaining Western New Yorkers for over 20 years. She has graced small clubs to large venues with everything from solo to big bands. Her versatility reaches jazz fans, pop fans, blues, and country audiences, and even church worship services. She’ll be joined by some of Buffalo’s best next-generation rising stars in the jazz scene with Harry Graser on Keyboard, Ed Croft on bass, and John Troy on saxophone/flute.

    A $30 ticket provides you admission to the gallery, live music, and a delightful selection of light hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar offering beer and wine will be available throughout the event. To ensure a comfortable atmosphere for listening to music, socializing, and viewing the art, attendance will be limited to 70 guests.

  • Madonna in Trouble, Fans Sue over Late Start at Brooklyn “Celebration Tour” Dates

    Pop icon Madonna has run into some trouble as two fans who attended the December 13 date of her Brooklyn “Celebration Tour,” have decided to sue the musician for starting her show over two hours late, causing it to end at around 1 a.m.

    Madonna performing during “The Celebration Tour” at Barclays Center on December 14, 2023, photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation/Getty Images.

    As reported in the BBC, the case, brought by Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, states that “many ticketholders who attended concerts on a weeknight had to get up early to go to work and/or take care of their family responsibilities the next day.” Due to the start time changing from the previously scheduled 8:30 p.m. to a near 10:30, making the pair leave the show at around 1 a.m. they were “left stranded in the middle of the night” and “confronted with limited public transportation, limited ride-sharing, and/or increased public and private transportation costs.”

    The defendants only attended the December 13 concert, but the suit claims that the December 14 and 16 concerts also had a delayed start time. Fellows and Hadden are accusing Madonna, Barclays Center, and tour promoter Live Nation of “unconscionable, unfair, and/or deceptive trade practices” for the delayed start time, citing it as an exercise of false advertising. Had they known this would have occurred, they said they would have not purchased tickets.

    The court papers also say Madonna “has a long history of arriving and starting her concerts late, sometimes several hours late.” In 2019, during her “Madame X” theater tour, Madonna was similarly sued for starting her show at 10:30 p.m. and was also called out at her 2016 Rebel Heart Tour for being late.

    Madonna’s “Celebration Tour” was a greatest hits show including more than 40 songs from her career. The Barclays Center shows were originally supposed to happen in July 2023 but were rescheduled following her hospitalization in June for a serious bacterial infection. The tour continues until its last stop in Mexico in April.

    https://youtu.be/lsvv6JoJ358?si=AwLYQ0CSqegaa-Ii

  • Kaufman Music Center Launches All-New Performing Arts Initiatives

    Kaufman Music Center has announced two new initiatives in performing-arts education. Kaufman Music Camp & Retreat in Warwick, NY will offer engaging new performing-arts education and activities along a beautiful lakefront setting.

    Participants of all ages will be immersed in a multitude of activities across Mountain Lake Park. Activities included but not limited to, instrument workshops, dance and theater lessons, sing-alongs and more. The camp will officially be in session starting July 29 and wrapping up on August 17.

    “We are thrilled that some of our signature performing arts programs, plus exciting new camps not offered anywhere else, can now be enjoyed by kids, adults and whole families together in a beautiful setting outside the city.”

    Kate Sheeran, Kaufman Executive Director

    Kaufman Music Center also plans to introduce “The Pathways” as a new program, aiming to supply students with tuition-free weekly private instrumental lessons and group classes, as well as access to masterclasses, workshops and performances. The music center will be partnering with public schools and communities across NYC to recruit ambitious students of elementary and middle-school age for the program.

    For any additional information on Kaufman Music Center’s up and coming programs, click here.

  • Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees

    The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the list of 2024 inductees, with a special awards ceremony taking place on Thursday, June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

    Timothy Mosley p/k/a Timbaland will be inducted this year.

    Musical icons Hillary Lindsey, Timothy Mosley p/k/a Timbaland, Dean Pitchford, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe p/k/a R.E.M., and Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who was born in Queens and will posthumously be inducted, p/k/a Steely Dan will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 2024 Induction and Awards Gala. These legendary songwriters are credited with mega-hits such as “Jesus Take The Wheel,” “Big Pimpin’,” “Footloose,” “Losing My Religion,” and “Reelin’ in the Years.”

    Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and future. Musical pioneers are enshrined and celebrated in the Hall, while the organization’s outreach to the music community finds the next generation. To qualify for induction, a songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. 

    Out of the tens of thousands of songwriters of our era, there are approximately 400 inductees who make up the impressive roster enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Some past inductees include Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, and Phil Collins, among many others. 

    I’ve said it before, but the music industry does not exist without songwriters delivering great songs first. Without them there is no recorded music, no concert business, no merch . . . nothing, it all starts with the song and the songwriter. We are therefore very proud that we are continually recognizing some of the culturally most important songwriters of all time and that the 2024 slate represents not just iconic songs but also diversity and unity across genres, ethnicity and gender, songwriters who have enriched our lives and literally enriched music and the lives of billions of listeners all over the world.

    SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers.

    Other key songs from the inductees include “Million Reasons,” “SexyBack,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” and “Black Friday,” among others.

    For more information about the Songwriters Hall of Fame, visit here.  

  • Hubbard Hall Begins Search For New Executive Director

    The Hubbard Hall board of directors has announced they are beginning a search for a new executive director, replacing David Andrew Sinder, who will be leaving for a new opportunity.

    The Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education is a thriving arts center dedicated to developing, promoting, and sustaining the cultural life of Cambridge, Washington County, the New York Capital Region, Southern Vermont, and the Berkshires. Since 1878 Hubbard Hall has developed, produced, and presented theater, music, opera, dance, and the visual arts and in recent years has become a world-class development center for new work. Since 1977, its current nonprofit has engaged thousands of artists, students, and audience members.

    David has led Hubbard Hall for 10 years and has managed its development as a thriving regional arts and community center, as well as navigated the organization through the challenging time of COVID lockdowns and restrictions. In a statement, he said, “As the Executive & Artistic Director of Hubbard Hall, I’m so proud of all the work we’ve done together over the past decade, especially our support of students, artists, and community members throughout the global pandemic, as well as all of the programming and progress we’ve made together since 2014.”

    He went on to say “I’m heartened by the fact that Hubbard Hall is physically and financially in much better shape than when I arrived. I’m thrilled that the past ten years have included so many triumphs with programming, including our seven-year streak with the CCS Drama Club, dozens of artist residencies, hundreds of presentations and productions of theater, opera, dance, and music, and thousands of hours of classes provided to our community.” He will be leaving Hubbard Hall on January 30, as he accepted a new offer at another arts institution.

    The recruitment of a new director provides us with a great opportunity to fine-tune the vision of Hubbard Hall in this post-pandemic era. We will focus on strengthening not only the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality performance and arts experiences, but also on reaffirming our role as an important cultural citizen and leader of the arts communities of Cambridge, Washington County, the New York Capital Region, Southern Vermont and the Berkshires.

    Margaret Surowka, Chair of the Board.

    The board went on to explain that during the initial transition phase, the day-to-day activities of Hubbard Hall will be handled by the board and current staff, with the job description and other details of the executive search being released shortly.

    For more information about Hubbard Hall, visit here.

  • Governors Ball 2024 Lineup Announced – Featuring Post Malone, The Killers and SZA

    The Governors Ball returns in 2024 for their 14th year, settling into its home at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for an exciting weekend filled with music and festivities.

    The upcoming festival promises a stellar lineup, with headline performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA.

    From June 7-9, This iconic NYC music festival will have music enthusiasts gather in one of the city’s most iconic spaces to witness equally iconic performances.

    governors ball 2024 lineup
    2024 Gov Ball Lineup

    The 2024 lineup for Governors Ball showcases a diverse range of musical genres, also featuring an expanded presence of Latin music, with artists like Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, and Farruko, among others. The weekend kicks off and concludes with powerhouse performances by Post Malone and Rauw Alejandro.

    Friday and Sunday also feature special performances by the School of Rock Queens and Brooklyn, highlighting the talent of these performance-based music schools that cater to individuals of all ages. The house bands of these schools will deliver two exceptional performances during the festival. Among the lineup, New York natives such as Arcy Drive, Beach Fossils, and Quarters of Change add a local flair to the event.

    Lizzo, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    For eager fans looking to secure their spots, can  sign up for a presale passcode now for the SMS Presale happening THIS Thursday, 1/18 from 11am – 1pm ET.

    All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 1pm ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Ticket prices are all-inclusive with no fees on top.  

    For 2024, Gov Ball is pleased to announce two new ticket types – 2-Day bundles and Ultimate Tickets. The 2-Day bundle allows fans to customize their festival experience over the weekend and attend any two days of their choosing at any ticket type. 

    Stay tuned to NYS Music for the latest updates on Governors Ball 2024, including lineup updates, and the eagerly awaited general sale dates, yet to be announced.

    In the meantime, relive the excitement of the 2023 edition by checking out our recaps for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    Kendrick Lamar at Gov Ball 2023 – photo by Lucas Kurzweil