This announcement follows Assemblyman Santabarbara’s presentation of a ceremonial check during ESYO’s season-opening concert this past weekend. Today’s groundbreaking event marks the official launch of construction on the eight-acre campus – the first facility of its kind in New York State dedicated solely to youth music education.

WHEN:

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

45 Mac Arthur Drive, Schenectady, NY 12302

WHO:

• Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
• Rebecca Calos, Executive Director, Empire State Youth Orchestra
• Etienne Abelin, Music Director, Empire State Youth Orchestra
• Congressman Paul Tonko, NY-20
• Katie Steger, Director of Capital Projects, New York State Council on the Arts
• Gary Hughes, Chair, Schenectady County Legislature
• Mia Montross, Student Musician & Young Leader, ESYO

Assemblyman Santabarbara’s $3 million allocation – secured in the FY2025–26 New York State Budget – provides critical funding for the new Youth Music Center, including a state-of-the-art, acoustically sensitive, energy-efficient HVAC system that will create a healthy, sound-optimized environment for young musicians.

This investment is a major milestone in realizing ESYO’s vision:

• A 20,000-square-foot acoustically designed Youth Music Center
• An eight-acre campus dedicated to music learning, performance, and community connection
• A permanent home for ESYO after 45 years without one
• Expanded access for youth across the Capital Region, including historically marginalized urban neighborhoods and under-resourced rural communities

The new campus will allow ESYO to:

• Double enrollment in its tuition-free CHIME after-school program (currently 170 students, 200+ on the waiting list)
• Increase rehearsal and recording capacity
• Expand inclusive, affordable music education opportunities for thousands of young people

Nearly $10 million has already been secured through public and private support – including the State of New York, NYSCA, ArPA (Schenectady County), LoCap, and private donors. An additional $2 million is still needed to complete the project.

Following remarks, tours of the construction site and architectural renderings will be available.

Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) engages more than 600 young musicians from across the Capital Region and western New England each year through 14 performing ensembles, world-class instruction, and community programs. ESYO’s nationally recognized CHIME program provides daily, tuition-free music education for Schenectady youth, fostering creativity, confidence, collaboration, and resilience. ESYO musicians perform over 30 concerts annually in local venues and nationally renowned halls including Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.