Welcome to our Magical Musical Sleigh Ride! We are delighted to share a very special holiday treat with you this afternoon, featuring our Symphony and Jazz Orchestra players, Madison VanDenburg and our dear friend, and brilliant Maestra, Helen Cha-Pyo. When David Bebe, our new Education Director, began outlining his vision for the concert, we soon realized that a heart-warming children’s narrative would be a perfect enhancement. Thankfully, we found an outstanding author right here in the Capital Region to create the story! Vicki Dodd dreamt up a magical journey by sleigh across the globe and back home again for the holidays, just in time to enjoy Madison’s new Christmas single “The Light of Christmas.” ESYO’s own resident actor--and Development Director-Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle narrates the tale, which is brought to life by our musicians and actors Annabelle and Elliott Brin. This production simply would not be possible without the combined effort and generosity of so many talented individuals. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Philip Morris and Proctors, and to Schenectady County for their support; to Team Bengraff for never saying no even as our project grew increasingly ambitious; to Team Madison for the confidence they have placed in us and their collaborative spirit, and to our entire production team who has been willing to go above and beyond. A huge thank you to Justin for pulling all the pieces together, to Anne-Marie for coordinating the staging, to Andrea for her librarian wizardry, to David for dreaming all this up and to Helen for sharing her light with us, this one more time, and special thanks to Mr. Jon James for the beautifully hand restored sleigh. I invite you to share our musical joy this afternoon and I hope that you will be filled with laughter and the warmth of the holidays. I am so glad to spend this day with you as we reach the end of 2021, and I look forward to many more magical musical moments in 2022! Rebecca Calos Executive Director
eat ny burg en n cert, en’s ght igh YO’s r-which y for ngly e rie g all ks to SLEIGH RIDE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR ESYO Symphony Orchestra, Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra take a magical musical sleigh ride. Featuring sparkling holiday favorites, story by author Vicki Addesso Dodd, and American Idol finalist Madison VanDenburg SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 3:00 PM MAINSTAGE @ PROCTORS ents SPONSORED BY
SCHENECTADY, NY 12305 | 518.382.7581 | ESYO.ORG 2021 -2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kurt Bratten Co-Chair Patty Michaelson Co-Chair Omar Williams Vice-Chair Caitlin Mochrie Treasurer Mary Clyne Secretary Robert Altman Brian Axford Robert Bengraff Deidre Hill Butler Heather Chan Henk Elzenga James Haertel Stefon Harris Andrew LaCoppola Kara Lais Barry Richman Brian Sacawa Christopher Shiley Elizabeth Silver Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle Director of Development Andrea Restrepo Operations Assistant, Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Manager, & Librarian Zoë Auerbach CHIME & Young Leaders Program Manager Justin Cook Marketing & Publications Manager Sam Herman Administrative Assistant & Brand Manager ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Rebecca Calos Executive Director Lisa Stulmaker Finance Director Sue Lascoe Director of Operations & Repertory Orchestra Manager David Bebe Director of Education CONDUCTING STAFF Helen Cha-Pyo Symphony Orchestra Guest Conductor David Beck Repertory Orchestra Joseph Gumpper String Orchestra Leo Milman Concertino Strings Dr. Robert Hansbrough Wind Orchestra Richard Albagli Youth Percussion Ensemble & Repertory Percussion Ensemble Mark Foster Youth Percussion Ensemble John Antonio Repertory Percussion Ensemble Genoveffa Vitale Chamber Percussion Ensemble Hannah Dick Concertino Percussion Ensemble Dr. Peter Bellino Youth Jazz Orchestra Keith Pray Repertory Jazz Orchestra Julie Taylor Concertino Wind Choir Scott Hopkins Concertino Brass Choir Rae Jean Teeter Concert Chorale CHIME STAFF Lenore Aldi-Snow Teaching Artist Connor Armbruster Teaching Artist Brian Brancato Teaching Artist Jessica Bowen Teaching Artist Cathy Gatta Teaching Artist Cara Miner Site Manager Stefanie Nicou Teaching Artist Teresa Gatta Norton Teaching Artist Richard Jimenez Teaching Artist Matthew Johnson Teaching Artist Lin Polster Site Manager Bridie Schnore Teaching Artist Nicholaus Smith Teaching Artist Susan Wheeler Teaching Artist Monica Wilson-Roach Teaching Artist Justin Relf Site Manager
nt & tra SECTIONAL COACHES Throughout the season, ESYO Symphony and Repertory Orchestra members are coached and mentored by a group of dedicated musicians and teachers from the Capital Region and beyond. We are grateful to our team of coaches for offering their guidance and expertise, inspiring our youth to pursue musical excellence. VIOLIN & VIOLA Matthew Johnson, Viola Leo Milman, Violin Natalya Milman, Violin Jamecyn Morey, Violin Hilary Cumming, Violin CELLOS & BASSES Luke Baker, Bass David Bebe, Cello Andrea Restrepo, Cello & Bass Andre O'Neil, Cello WOODWINDS & BRASS Michael Blostein, Brass Edward Marschilok, Woodwinds Jaqueline Wright, Woodwinds Susan Gierthy, Oboe Julie Taylor, Clarinet Michelle McLoughlin, Bassoon John Fatuzzo, Trumpet Jessica Cunningham, Horn PERCUSSION John Antonio, Percussion STRING CHAMBER MUSIC COACHES David Bebe Jamecyn Morey Jessica Belflower WIND CHAMBER MUSIC COACH Julie Taylor
Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) is continuing to challenge and inspire more than 600 of the most talented youth from the Capital Region of New York, Western New England, and all walks of life to achieve musical excellence through intensive instruction and high-level performance. Through twelve performing ensembles and ESYO CHIME, ESYO is igniting a lifelong love of music in the youngest members of our communities, and breaking boundaries between communities and backgrounds to grow the future of music. ESYO’s progressive program nourishes students in elementary through high school, growing with them as they expand their musical and personal capabilities. But, the ESYO experience is about more than exceptional music. Through the ESYO experience, young people build confidence, practice teamwork, and cultivate personal drive, giving them the skills to achieve success in music, college, and beyond. ESYO alums go on as leaders in fields as diverse as engineering and art. They can also be found in all areas of the music industry – from national orchestras and recording studios to music classrooms. ESYO also seeks to expand its impact beyond its membership, believing music can be a catalyst for social change in the communities in which ESYO musicians live, learn, and play. This belief is why ESYO has helped raise more than $8 million for Albany Medical Center’s pediatric oncology program through the Melodies of Christmas concerts. To further expand its impact, ESYO launched ESYO CHIME in 2015. Through free, daily music instruction and mentorship, ESYO CHIME provides young musicians in Schenectady, Albany, and Troy schools with comprehensive support from elementary school through high school. The CHIME team places children on the path to musical excellence and cultivates skills needed to succeed in all areas of life, including collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Founded by parents and music teachers Barry Richman, Eleanor Barnes, and Lois Lyman in 1979, the ESYO experience now includes everything from concerts at Carnegie Hall to benefit performances, master classes with exceptional musicians like the Shanghai Quartet, DEKA Quartet, and the Musicians of Ma’alwyck to international tours of Europe and Asia. All of this would not be accomplished without the support and the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and foundations whose gifts are an investment in the future of music. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to learn, but not just in a classroom. It has challenged us to rehearse, but not always in a rehearsal room. It has challenged us to perform, both in-person and online. This season, join ESYO as we return to the stage and celebrate the grand opening of our first-ever Virtual Concert Hall. For more about ESYO or to pledge your support go to esyo.org. If you are a young musician interested in joining ESYO, there is a place for you! For information on auditions visit esyo.org/join.
ools hool. n d d in ation, gie ter s like et, Asia. hed osity n in to arsal orm, ason, e f For r a g it HELN CHA-PYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GUEST CONDUCTOR Helen H. Cha-Pyo is currently in her fourth season as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts (WIPA). Under her artistic leadership, WIPA serves over 1,400 students from 13 different counties of New Jersey through a range of classes at Wharton Performing Arts School, 15 performing ensembles at New Jersey Youth Symphony and Paterson Music Project, an El Sistema-inspired program serving over 400 children in the city of Paterson, NJ. As principal conductor of NJYS Youth Symphony, she has led the orchestra in prestigious concert halls including Richardson Auditorium, NJ State Theatre, Union County Performing Arts Center, Kasser Theater and New Jersey Performing Arts Center, including the 40th anniversary performance of Carmina Burana with six local high school choruses. For 16 years as Music Director and Conductor of the Empire State Youth Orchestra, Ms. Cha-Pyo inspired hundreds of young musicians to perform at the highest levels, resulting in Empire State Youth Orchestras being recognized as one of the nation’s premier music organizations for youth. Ms. Cha-Pyo regularly programmed a wide range of music embracing many different cultures. Her vision resulted in three prestigious ASCAP awards and a $100,000 grant to partially fund a music festival that commissioned nine works, one for each ESYO ensemble. She conducted the orchestra in outstanding concert halls including Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Zankel Hall, EMPAC, Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, and Carnegie Hall. She led the orchestra on three international tours: to Europe in 2008, China and South Korea in 2012, and Portugal in 2016. Ms. Cha-Pyo’s vision was instrumental in the founding of ESYO CHIME in 2015, a music education program dedicated to serving youth in Schenectady and Troy, NY. In 2018, ESYO established the Helen Cha-Pyo Golden Baton Award and Scholarships for students who embody her passionate commitment to music as a means to uplift and enrich communities. From 1996 to 2002, Ms. Cha-Pyo served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Riverside Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir and Associate Director of Music at The Riverside Church in New York City. She has released 3 recordings with the Riverside Choir. A committed music educator, she pioneered the Riverside Music Educational Program, which served thousands of New York City public school children. Born in Seoul, Ms. Cha-Pyo immigrated to the US when she was 12. She holds a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Oberlin Conservatory and Masters of Music in conducting and organ performance from the Eastman School of Music. She served as assistant conductor to the Eastman Philharmonia and the Britt Festival Orchestra (OR). She also won conducting fellowships at the Aspen Festival and Yale School of Music. Her conducting mentors include David Effron, Donald Neuen, Murry Sidlin, Benjamin Zander and Kurt Masur. Ms. Cha-Pyo is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for All State and Regional Festival Orchestras throughout the country and conducts at Kinhaven School in the summer. She has appeared as guest conductor and clinician for the ASTA National Orchestra festival, the Newport Youth Orchestra Festival, and Ithaca College Summer Music Academy. She served as Visiting Associate Professor of Conducting at the John J. Cali School of Music from 2017 – 2019. She currently serves as a board member for the Youth Orchestra Division and a committee member of the Conductors Constituency Leadership of the League of American Orchestras.
PROGRAM MainStage at Proctors Sunday, December 19, 2021, 3:00PM SLEIGH RIDE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA HELEN CHA-PYO, GUEST CONDUCTOR DR. PETER BELLINO, YOUTH JAZZ CONDUCTOR DR. DAVID BEBE, CHAMBER ORCHESTRA COACH Based on the Story "A Magical Musical Sleigh Ride" Vicki Adesso Dodd, Author Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle, Narrator Annabelle Brin, Susie Elliott Brin, Billy Mo the Wolfhound, Santa's Reindeer Special Guests Madison VanDenburg and Brian Austin 'Tis The Season To Be Funky, arr. D. Beach & G. Shutack Youth Jazz Orchestra Sleigh Ride from Three German Dances by W.A. Mozart Symphony Orchestra Skater's Waltz, Op. 183 by Emile Waldteufel Symphony Orchestra Fantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams Chamber Orchestra Waltz from Serenade for Strings by Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky Chamber Orchestra Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden Suite by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Symphony Orchestra Main at Pr
PROGRAM MainStage at Proctors Program Continued... SLEIGH RIDE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Noel, Mvt. II, from Symphonic Sketches by George Whitefield Chadwick Symphony Orchestra Bamboula by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Symphony Orchestra Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson Symphony Orchestra (There is no Place Like) Home for the Holidays by Robert Allen, arr. John Wasson Youth Jazz Orchestra The Light of Christmas by Kenny Lamb and Anthony Little Symphony Orchestra and Madison VanDenburg Sing Along with Madison VanDenburg and Symphony Orchestra Winter Wonderland by Felix Bernard. arr. Steven Rosenhaus. Words by Dick Smith Hark the Herald Angel Sing by Felix Mendelssohn. arr. John Ferguson. Words by Charles Wesley We Wish you a Merry Christmas by Rich Woolworth Youth Jazz Orchestra
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