The Empire State Youth Orchestra which consists of a group of high school-aged musicians and artists from the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Young Leader Program have announced that they will be hosting a Soundwalk at Washington Park in Albany. This Soundwalk, which will premiere on May 30, 2021-Memorial Day Weekend, will be available all summer.
A Soundwalk is an immersive audio experience curated to accompany a walker as they stroll along various nature trails. As a walker passes through each section, the music changes to match the particular sections of the trail. Young composers from ESYO and guest artists composed pieces of music for specific parts of the trail, highlighting its features. In addition to the focus on nature, some pieces will center on the significance of Albany’s heritage, both Dutch and Native American.
Pieces are composed by Brett Wery, Aaron Houston, Jason Handron, Mike Blostein, Monica Roach, Clare Criscione, Max Caplan, and youth composers William Lauricella and Matthew Kenyon. Each piece is performed by ESYO musicians and special guest artists from the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, including ESYO Young Leader mentor Ann Marie Schwartz.
This Soundwalk is an important project for so many reasons. I joined ESYO and the Young Leader program because I wanted to make music with other dedicated young musicians like myself, and now, I want to give that opportunity back to the community. A park is a place that brings people together, and I am reaffirming that statement through this music. I hope that the Soundwalk will continue to grow, fueled by the community surrounding it.
Emma Edgar, Founder and Artistic Director of the Soundwalk project and a 12th grader at Bethlehem Central High School
The Albany Soundwalk will be a creative musical event that will bring the community together through the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information about how you can experience the ESYO Soundwalk event, visit esyo.org/soundwalk. To donate and support the artists in the project, click here: esyo.org/soundwalk
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