Albany Symphony to present Water Music NY: More Voices

September 13, 2024

Susan Bardack, Buzz Media Solutions

(518) 867-7940 · susan@buzzmediasolutions.com

 Jim Kelly, Marketing Manager - Albany Symphony

(518) 465-4755 x 110

Project Details: www.albanysymphony.com/watermusicny

 Albany Symphony to Present Water Music NY: More Voices Festival, a Project 200 Years in the Making, Highlighting the Past, Present, and Future of the Erie Canal

State-Wide Creative Endeavor Commemorates the Bicentennial of the Completion of the Original Erie Canal.

 ALBANY, NY — The two-time GRAMMY® award-winning Albany Symphony, in partnership with the New York Power Authority and the New York State Canal Corporation, presents a powerful commemorative and celebratory series of livestreamed pop-up concerts taking place along the Erie Canal, Water Music NY: More Voices. The 2024 concert series will span the state, with livestreamed concerts in unique venues in Lockport, Little Falls, Fort Hunter, Waterloo, and Savannah, NY between September 26 and November 2.

 The new three-year Water Music NY project takes inspiration from the orchestra’s original 2017 Water Music NY Festival, and opens a new chapter, exploring underrepresented voices, including those of women, immigrants, people of color, and indigenous peoples, to commemorate 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.

 “As the Erie Canal nears its third century of operation, we are excited to embark on a grand new adventure with our wonderful partners at the New York State Canal Corporation,” said Albany Symphony Music Director David Alan Miller. “We believe that by commissioning brilliant new works by some of the most compelling composers working today, and challenging them to look at the Canal through fresh eyes, the music they create will spark dialogue, expand perspectives, and energize canalside communities on what the Canal represents, and what it can become.”

 The Albany Symphony launched Water Music NY: More Voices in June at the 2024 American Music Festival. In Fall 2024, the project includes five free pop-up concerts, featuring small ensembles of Albany Symphony musicians and vocalists in unique Canal-adjacent spaces, highlighting unexplored stories of the 524-mile New York State Canal system’s past, present, and future. These free concerts will be viewable to all via online video livestream and used to promote the larger Bicentennial Commemoration events in 2025 and 2026. Through these events, Water Music NY: More Voices will shine a bright light on New York as the “State of the Arts.”

 The five pop-up concerts will take place at the Lock Tenders Tribute Monument in Lockport, Old Lock 36 (near Lock 17) in Little Falls, Schoharie Crossing State Historic

Site in Fort Hunter, Waterloo (livestream only), and the Montezuma Audubon Center at Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Featured composers Daniel Bernard Roumain, Clarice Assad, Francisco del Pino, Dai Wei, and Juhi Bansal will have their new works premiered at unique venues along the Canal.

 Daniel Bernard Roumain’s piece, Agrarian and Liquid, to be performed in Lockport, was created in partnership with librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph. The piece centers on abolitionist and freedom fighter Harriet Tubman and her relationship to the Erie Canal. (September 26)

 Francisco del Pino created Orenda, which is inspired by concepts of place and interconnectedness with nature. According to del Pino, this piece behaves like running water: a continuous stream of motion underneath which things change only imperceptibly over time. Floating above that tapestry, a singer chants words from the Oneida Nation’s motto: good mind, good heart, strong fire. (September 27)

 Clarice Assad’s world premiere, Earth and Water, will be performed overlooking the Schoharie Crossing Aqueduct, a New York State Historic Site. This coincides with another anniversary – the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation celebrates its centennial in 2024. This musical dialogue between earth and water explores themes of environmental change, human progress, and the relationship between nature and civilization, all centered around the construction of the Erie Canal. (September 28)

“I am deeply honored to be part of this meaningful program. The concept for this composition emerged from a conversation with Kay Olan, a celebrated Mohawk storyteller, teacher, and writer. During our discussion, Olan shared insights from the world's creation story, emphasizing the people's gratitude for the bounty of Earth and Water. She beautifully described Earth as our mother and Water as its lifeblood - an image that profoundly inspired this composition,” said Assad.

 A livestream of a no-audience performance in Waterloo features composer Dai Wei, whose piece explores the journey of Oong Ar Showe, a Chinese merchant who adeptly navigated the economic and social landscape of 19th-century America, emphasizing the crucial role of the Erie Canal in facilitating interregional trade. (November 1 via livestream)

 The mini-concert series concludes at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex where Juhi Bansal’s piece Refuge will be performed. A thriving expanse of marshes, the Montezuma Wetlands Complex has been a rich wildlife habitat for centuries, supporting many species, notably a wide variety of migratory birds. It was also a home to hunting and fishing grounds for the Haudenosaunee people. (November 2)

 Water Music NY: More Voices brings people together to explore new musical works that amplify voices that have been underrepresented. This project strives to elevate more aspects of local culture to weave an inclusive history and future of the Erie Canal.

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Albany Symphony and ESYO present: Symphony Side By Side

Albany Symphony 

19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207 

Jim Kelly, Marketing Manager 

(518) 465-4755 

jimk@albanysymphony.com 

September 4, 2024 

Albany Symphony and ESYO Present a Family-Friendly Afternoon of Music and Mentorship for all ages and abilities at the MVP Arena in Downtown Albany Monday, Oct. 14th   

ALBANY, NY – Following the success of last year’s “Movie Music Play-In,” which engaged more than 1,500 people, the Albany Symphony and the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) are thrilled to announce an exciting afternoon of collaborative music, generously supported by the Innovation Partnership between Albany County and MVP Health Care. This special free family-friendly event, entitled “Symphony Side-by-Side,” is designed to engage and entertain audiences of all ages and will take place at the MVP Arena on October 14 at 3:00pm.   

In this unique opportunity, members of ESYO and high school and college students across the Capital Region will join forces with the Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony. Together, they will rehearse and perform, gaining invaluable experience in the professional symphonic performance process. An orchestra of Albany Symphony and ESYO students sitting literally side-by-side will perform a dynamic selection of music, ranging from blockbuster hits in film, television, and video games to beloved symphonic classics.   

The event will culminate in a grand finale featuring participation from community musicians of all ages, celebrating the uniting power of music. For the program finale, all participating audience members are invited to the stage with their own instruments in hand to add their voices to an uproarious performance of John Williams’ iconic “Imperial March,” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”   

Adding to the day’s festivities, families are invited to enjoy a variety of activities, including an “instrument petting zoo” where children can discover and try out different musical instruments. This event promises to be a fun and enriching experience for the entire family.   

Students and community musicians can find more information, music to download and a sign-up form here: https://www.albanysymphony.com/upcomingconcerts/symphony-side-by-side. Sign up to participate by September 19!   

“The investment the Innovation Partnership made last year demonstrated that there was an interest and a need for us to make this happen again,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “When Albany County and MVP Health Care made a commitment to open the arena for events that would encourage the community to join us for new engaging and educational experiences, we knew that by reaching out to other organizations to help us in this endeavor, we would attract new audiences. This Symphony Side-by-Side is an example of that.”   

“We are excited to open our doors for an event that brings together young musicians with the professionals in the industry.  It gives such an amazing opportunity to everyone involved, from the talented musicians who are a part of ESYO, to the seasoned professionals of the Albany Symphony,” said MVP Arena General Manager Bob Belber.  “With the generosity of the Innovation Partnership, MVP Healthcare and Albany County we are able to host this event and allow the general public to come in for free to witness all of this talent the capital region has to offer, and then to be able to let the people in attendance join in and play with them is really something to see.  We are honored to be able to be a part of this for a second year.”  

“MVP Health Care is passionate about leveraging the power of collaboration and innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities,” emphasized Chris Del Vecchio, President and CEO of MVP Health Care. “To bring this vision to life, we are dedicated to forging impactful regional community coalitions that share our commitment to supporting whole-person health and well-being. Our partnership with Albany County exemplifies this commitment, and we take great pride in joining forces with the county in celebration of the extraordinary musical talent showcased by The Albany Symphony and the Empire State Youth Orchestra. This free concert will captivate people of all ages, serving as a gateway to celebrate the vibrancy and richness of our community.”  

“This event is especially meaningful in these times,” said ESYO Music Director Etienne Abelin. “In a world that can often feel divided, coming together—young and old, professional musicians, students, and music lovers—to create something beautiful is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.”   

“The Albany Symphony and I are so excited to once again join our amazing ESYO friends, student musicians from public schools across our region, and amateur musicians from throughout our community in this thrilling celebration of the incredible power of great symphonic music,” said Albany Symphony Music Director, David Alan Miller.  “The highlight of last year’s concert was the final piece, in which more than 150 musicians from our community joined more than 150 musicians from our two orchestras in an unforgettable performance of John Williams’ “Imperial March” from Star Wars. So, dust off your violin, saxophone, trumpet, or whatever, and come on down!  We’ll also be playing lots of your favorite music from film, TV, and video games, along with some classical hits.  We want to give a big “thank you” to Albany County Executive, Dan McCoy, and all of our friends at MVP Healthcare and MVP Arena for making this incredible musical event possible again this year.”     

“It was so much fun last year,” said ESYO and Guilderland High School student musician Daniel Byon. “Playing with professional musicians, hearing the sound of this huge orchestra, performing all this great music, and making new friends was really cool. I can’t wait for this year’s concert!”   

About Empire State Youth Orchestra: Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) engages, inspires and empowers youth through music in a progressive learning environment leading to high-level performance opportunities. More than 500 youth from New York’s Capital Region and western New England are selected by audition each year to perform in ESYO. With 14 performing ensembles and orchestras suiting a range of playing levels, members receive training from outstanding conductors and coaches, and tutelage from extraordinary guest artists. In 2015, ESYO launched CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) in Schenectady to address fundamental inequities preventing universal access to high level music opportunities for young people. Today, this free music program serves more than 150 Schenectady students. Founded in 1979, ESYO is a not-for-profit organization that has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards. For more information, visit esyo.org.   

Albany Symphony appoints Emily Fritz-Endres as Executive Director

Emily Fritz-Endres Brings More Than a Decade of Orchestra Management Experience to the Symphony

ALBANY, NY – The two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Albany Symphony is proud to announce the appointment of Emily Fritz-Endres as executive director. Emily has more than a decade of experience within the music industry, having worked for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

“We are thrilled that after a national search led by vice-chair of the board Daniel Kredentser and a dedicated search committee, Emily Fritz-Endres has been chosen as our new executive director. We were impressed by her proven leadership successes in financial management and strategic planning, and are excited to welcome her,” said Faith Ann Takes, chair of the board for the Albany Symphony. “Emily will be an excellent leader for the Symphony and together, we will ensure that the Albany Symphony will flourish even more throughout our region.”

“Emily’s creative and enterprising mind and her positive and collaborative approach to addressing challenges and opportunities stood out to our search committee. She has an engaging personality that energizes those around her; we knew she would be a great fit for the Albany Symphony,” said Daniel Kredentser. “She has proven leadership successes and we are excited to watch the organization grow toward our centennial year with Emily as our dynamic leader.”

During her time with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Emily focused on financial and facilities planning, bringing the organization into alignment with the diverse Atlanta community, artistic ambition, venue solutions, audience development, and an endowment campaign. At the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Emily served as director of board administration cultivating relationships with the orchestra’s 250 trustees and advisors. She organized projects including the opening of the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood, two fundraising campaigns, and a governance restructure.

"We are so excited to welcome Emily Fritz-Endres to our Albany Symphony family," said Music Director David Alan Miller. “Emily is a rising star in the orchestral world, and we are very lucky to have her join us. Her great intelligence and broad experience will benefit our orchestra in countless ways in the years to come. She is such a dynamic, creative thinker, and an extraordinarily kind, thoughtful individual. I know that our brilliant Albany Symphony musicians and I will have a wonderful time working with her to chart the future of our great organization, especially as we head toward our 100th anniversary in 2030. It is a great tribute to our community, board of directors and musicians that we are able to attract an executive director of Emily's quality."

“We are thrilled and excited to welcome Emily Fritz-Endres to the Albany Symphony family and look forward to working with her to further our mission of artistic excellence, new music, diversity initiatives, and educational outreach and to reinforce our stature as a cultural gem of the Capital Region. We are confident that, through her leadership, the Albany Symphony will remain at the forefront of the national artistic landscape to enrich our cherished arts community in New York State and beyond,” said Paula Oakes, a violinist and chair of the orchestra committee.

Emily will take the helm as executive director beginning in August 2024 and continue the work that David Hyslop, Albany Symphony’s interim executive director, began in January 2024. The board of directors is deeply thankful to Hyslop for his invaluable service.

“I am honored to lead the Albany Symphony, an adventurous, future-looking orchestra devoted to championing the music of our time. I am grateful to my predecessor, Anna Kuwabara, a leader I admire for her talents in building enduring community partnerships and her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the organization nears its centennial, I am thrilled to work with the wildly creative David Alan Miller, and the talented orchestra, board, and staff as we expand how our music celebrates, educates, and transforms the people of the Capital Region and beyond,” said Emily Fritz-Endres

Emily earned her MBA from Columbia Business School in New York and her BA from Carleton College in Minnesota. When not in music venues, she loves playing clarinet, being in nature, and mentoring queer youth.

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