2020-2021
Zooming, hybrid, click-tracks, PPE, social distancing, MERV 13 filtration, “quilted” performances - all words that have come to define our 2020-2021 season. Making music under masks and at a distance has made us painfully aware of how much we took for granted: the ability to sit side-by-side, to create harmony through shared vibrations, and to sound together as one ensemble. It was genuinely exhilarating then, when our musicians were at last able to gather for a public performance at the Troy Waterfront to launch our SpringUP Festival. The joy of sharing our music with a live audience on that day was tempered by a sad farewell to Music Director Carlos Ágreda who, amidst great excitement, spontaneously joined our Jazz players on the piano at the close of the concert. Only weeks afterward, we cheered him on from across the ocean as he was named one of six designated winners of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam. We are thrilled to have been part of Carlos’ meteoric rise, and we are delighted that he plans to return to conduct our youth at Melodies of Christmas this December. 2 | 2020-2021 Year in Review This was a season made possible only through the dogged determination and creativity of our faculty & staff, the unwavering commitment of our Board of Directors, the outpouring of generosity from our supporters, and the leadership of our youth. This was a season that tested us daily, but helped us discover new ways of connecting. This was a season that made us crave a return to normalcy, but prepared us for whatever challenges lie ahead. This was a season that underscored the power and ability of our
over the past year they have forged our path forward, adapting to the constraints of a pandemic world through innovation and perseverance. Looking ahead to what the future might hold, we are confident that our musical youth will be our most remarkable trailblazers. Thank you for being with us these past months, online and in person. Thank you for your support and for believing, with us, that musicians must continue to play through the pause. Rebecca Calos Executive Director and the ESYO Team Anne-Marie Gorman Doyle Development Director Carlos Ágreda, ESYO Music Director 2018-2021, with Symphony Musicians esyo.org | 3
ACHIEVING EXCELLING Each year, ESYO inspires hundreds of youth musicians to learn, grow, and lead. The global pandemic challenged our ability to make music together, but after a summer of intense planning, we returned to in person rehearsals in September. All live streamed so that musicians who had to stay home, or remain overseas, were able to keep making music with their peers. 4 | 2020-2021 Year in Review SYMPHONY STRING REPERTORY Instrument PPE Splitting ensembles into smaller groups ONS ATI PT A AD Moving into Proctors
and social-distancing E Live-streamed rehearsals Many new 'duties as assigned'! Virtual concert hall More coaching and weekly sectionals esyo.org | 5
CONNECTIONS MUSICAL MAGIC September also saw the launch of our new, Virtual Concert Hall. Audiences across the globe, from Colombia to Ireland to Germany to Japan, and many places in between, tuned in to enjoy the performances of our talented youth. By December our Virtual Concert Hall had 12,000 views. Today, it has more than 22,000! “My favorite part of [the Virtual Concert Hall] was being able to see my grandmother watch the concert...she was never able to make it to a concert before – this was the first one she was able to see.” -CASEY C. 6 | 2020-2021 Year in Review
Orchestra Musicians attended rehearsals from home, in Asia CHIME Our CHIME program remained virtual for most of the season, with lessons taking place on Google Classroom. Our teaching artists embraced the challenge, engaging with each student multiple times per week, continuing to support their musical growth. Learning Opportunities Teaching artists Connor Armbruster, Michael Dee, and Jessica Bowen created 8 online learning modules to supplement rehearsals - topics included Popular Orchestral Works, Exploring The Written Origins of Music, and An Intro To Classical. Guest Teaching ESYO concerts streamed live to anywhere in the world! Alumna percussionist and Brown School Music Teacher, Hannah Dick, offered a virtual series of improvisation and composition workshops. esyo.org | 7
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES As the season progressed, we found our rhythm and discovered a few silver linings along the way. 8 | 2020-2021 Year in Review Mentors for our Young Leader program could, and did, live as far away as Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania - and were able to be actively involved in the program. Young Leaders were able to connect more frequently; this allowed them to plan, create, and produce ambitious community initiatives. CHIME students received more individualized attention, with teaching artists able to offer more one-on-one instruction.
ensembles meant more musical selections from a greater variety of composers. Of course we played Stravinsky, Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, but we also explored voices in American music like George Walker, Erich Korngold, Charlie Parker, Clarice Assad and ESYO's own Carlos Ágreda! Virtual guest panels were hosted with artists such as ESYO alums Ken Olsen (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and Ian Antonio (Yarn/ Wire) as well as CHIME Teaching Artist Connor Armbruster. The first-ever National Instrument “hangs,” with members from youth orchestras across the country, allowed ESYO musicians to connect with peers from as far away as Colorado. Stonybrook University’s Pelia Quartet joined us for a month-long residency, offering online coaching, demonstrations, and a workshop for all string players. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion discussions, guided by consultant YK Hong, shifted online, allowing more constituents to participate. Olsen Instrument Hangs Walker Korngold Antonio Pelia Quartet Parker Assad Armbruster esyo.org | 9
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