FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2025
EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO HOLD ANNUAL
“PLAYATHON” AT CROSSGATES
– Saturday, March 15, 2025-
GUILDERLAND, NEW YORK – Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) announces its annual Playathon. This signature fundraiser will take place on Saturday, March 15 from 10:30 am to 5:15 pm at Crossgates.
This musical marathon is presented free to the public to celebrate the talent and hard work of ESYO’s student musicians, and the important role that music plays in the community. The event will include performances by 11 ensembles, including CHIME, ESYO’s free after school program in conjunction with Schenectady City Schools, and will feature a wide array of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and percussion. Audiences will have the opportunity to win a chance to lead the ensembles throughout the day.
Playathon is for audiences of all ages. John Keal Music will be hosting an instrument “petting zoo” where everyone can have a hands-on experience with various instruments, and they will be guided by members of ESYO’s Young Leaders program.
“The ESYO family looks forward to Playathon every year,” says Becky Calos, ESYO Executive Director. “It’s the one day each year when all ESYO ensembles come together to play at the same venue and to celebrate all the hard work they’ve done so far this year, and will continue to do throughout the rest of the season.”
Playathon is made possible by the generous support of event sponsors Summit Senior Living, CDPHP, Graypoint, and LeChase Construction Services, and season sponsors Times Union, Wilson Elser Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP, Capital Bank, and Couch White LLP.
Event Details Playathon
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Venue: Crossgates
More information: www.esyo.org/playathon
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About Crossgates:
Crossgates is the Capital Region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination offering an impressive selection of national brands and the newest retail concepts. The center is anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Primark and Best Buy, while offering more than 180 retail shops, including Apple. Crossgates offers 10 entertainment venues and over 20 on-site eateries, such as Dave & Buster’s, Get Air, Billy Beez, Apex Entertainment, Maggie McFly’s and Regal Cinemas with IMAX. Or simply relax at our award-winning day spa, Spa Mirbeau. Located adjacent to a dual-branded 192-room Homewood Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel, Crossgates is your destination to EAT. SHOP. PLAY. STAY. Additional information regarding Crossgates can be found at shopcrossgates.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Pyramid Management Group, LLC:
Pyramid Management Group, owner of Crossgates, is one of the largest, most innovative, privately-held real estate developers in the northeast. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, Pyramid’s portfolio of dynamic shopping, dining and entertainment destinations dominate the northeast with 9 properties located throughout New York and Massachusetts. For nearly 50 years, Pyramid has built its reputation on being first, fast, ahead of the curve and always what’s next, leading the industry in combining the best elements of traditional retail with world-class dining and entertainment, all under one roof. For more information, visit www.pyramidmg.com
About 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 students 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 and performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards. ESYO’s ensembles, led by the flagship ESYO Symphony Orchestra, perform more than 30 public concerts each year at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Massry Center, Zankel Music Center, Proctors, and the annual CBS6 Christmas show, Melodies of Christmas. https://esyo.org/