WATER MUSIC NY 2024: RAISING MORE VOICES
The two-time GRAMMY® award-winning Albany Symphony is working in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation to present a deep and thought-provoking commemorative series of concerts titled Water Music NY: More Voices Festival. The three-year project builds on and perfectly bookends the innovative 2017 Water Music NY Festival and opens a new chapter as it commemorates the bicentennial of the completion of the Erie Canal. Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo.
The aim of this project is to allow composers and artists to create new works amplifying voices than have been excluded from the traditional narrative of NYS and canal history, explore themes of environment, social justice, and civil rights, and celebrate the vitality of canals and New York State.
Water Music New York: More Voices Festival will begin with 5 unique “pop-up” concerts across the state and along the Erie Canal.
September 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM - Lockport Flight of Five - Lockport, NY
September 27, 2024 at 4:00 PM - Little Falls, NY
September 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM - Schoharie Crossing Park - Schoharie, NY
November 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM - Waterloo, NY
November 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM - Montezuma Wildlife Preserve - Montezuma, NY
WATER MUSIC NY 2017: A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE 200 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Water Music NY is a cross-regional celebration of the bicentennial of New York’s Erie Canal, developed and presented by the Albany Symphony in close collaboration with the New York State Canal Corporation. The Albany Symphony will embark on a week-long barge journey on the Erie Canal from July 2 to July 8, performing free concerts in seven canal communities along the way. The Symphony will collaborate with local art groups to debut seven original world premieres by emerging composers, as it stops in Albany, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Baldwinsville, Brockport and Lockport.
Each composer has immersed themselves in the culture, history and stories of each canal community as inspiration in composing these works of art that truly celebrate New York, the Erie Canal and all they have to offer.
Each concert experience is being coordinated with the local community, to present a full day of block-parties and activities that draw attention to each community’s cultural highlights and historic character. Each concert will be conducted by Grammy® Award Winning Conductor David Alan Miller.
Water Music NY is possible by NYS funding through Market NY/Empire State Development and New York State Council on the Arts Regional Economic Development Councils.
Project Partners
Learn more about a waterway that shaped our state and nation. Stretching more than 500 miles across upstate New York.
Plan your trip down the Erie Canalor take a virtual tour. The New York State Canal Corporation your trusted resource for information about the Erie Canal.
Premiere Sponsors
Project Partners
Additional support provided by Market NY through I LOVE NY / New York State's Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards.