News

POTSDAM - Beethoven's ever-popular Symphony No. 4 will be featured in the spring concert by the Orchestra of Northern New York. Performances are 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25 in SUNY Potsdam's Hosmer Hall and 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 26 in the Dulles State Office Building, Watertown.

Described as "a slender Grecian maiden between two Nordic giants," (referring to his Symphonies 3 and 5), Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in Bb Major, Op. 60 will anchor the program. In general the symphony is sunny and cheerful, with light instrumentation in a manner that recalls the symphonies of Joseph Haydn, with whom Beethoven had studied a decade before. The Fourth Symphony  contains many aspects that show his growing strength as a composer.

Also to be performed are the brilliant Dances of Galanta by the magnificent Hungarian composer, Zoltan Kodaly, and the magical Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio by Mozart.

Founding music director Kenneth Andrews will conduct the 52-piece orchestra. The maestro also will host a pre-concert conversation featuring members of the orchestra 45 minutes before each of the concerts.

The orchestra's mission is to enrich the quality of life in Northern New York through live performances of orchestral music by outstanding musicians and to emphasize the engagement of area youth in the appreciation of music.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and free for children, 17 and younger. For tickets, call 315-267-2277 or visit www.onny.org.

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POTSDAM - Have you ever dreamed of conducting a professional symphony orchestra?  This might just be your lucky year! The Orchestra of Northern New York is raffling off the chance for someone to conduct the 60-piece Orchestra in a selection at its summer Pops concert, "ONNY Goes To The Movies," on July 1, 2015 in Hosmer Hall at SUNY Potsdam.

Drawing is Saturday, April 25 during intermission of the spring concert, Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, in Hosmer Hall.

The winner gets two free conducting lessons from Music Director Kenneth Andrews, and the opportunity to conduct a march by John Phillip Sousa at the July 1st concert.

Anyone, 18 or older, may purchase a raffle ticket to win this prize or one of the other prizes in the 7th annual season raffle.  Other prizes include: "Siam Classic Inn & Spa Experience"- two free nights and gourmet breakfasts at the only Thai-style bed & breakfast in the region; "Co-Op Bread Blowout" - one loaf a week of your choice of mouth-watering bread for 12 weeks; "Fun for Foodies" - an evening of delicious food from Chef Wally Siebel, cooked and served in your own home, with waiter Maestro Kenneth Andrews; and "Gift Certificate Delights" - one hour massage from Bliss Massage, a manicure from Inspired Healing Salon and Spa, and a $20 gift certificate to the Carol Lee Shoppe.

Tickets for this popular ONNY fundraiser are $10 each, or five tickets for $40. For more information, or to purchase tickets for this prize, or other prizes, call 267-3251.

On Saturday, January 31, Christopher Spinelli won the 9th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Instrumental Competition was held in Hosmer Hall at the Crane School of Music.  He will perform the Schumann A Minor Concerto with the Orchestra of Northern New York in the upcoming Fantasy, Fables, and Folklore! concert.  Below is a brief biography of this young artist.

Christopher Spinelli is a junior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School in Syracuse.  A three-consecutive year winner of the CNYAMT Piano Competition, he entered and won the senior division at age 14.  At age 12, and again at 16, he was a finalist in the Syracuse Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. He has participated in various piano competitions in Upstate New York, including the Thousand Islands International Piano Festival and Competition for Young People at Cape Vincent.  He also participated in the Civic Morning Musicals Wednesday Recital Series in 2014. Chris enjoys sports from basketball to longboarding, and relaxes by initiating improvisational Jazz sessions with his Dad.  A high honor roll student, he excels in Latin, and enjoys writing.  He has served as accompanist for his high school's Jazz Chorale and as organist for his church. Both Christopher and his parents credit his musical accomplishment to his teacher John Spradling’s expertise, passion, patience and teaching style.

An exciting and fun-filled concert that will have your imagination soaring as we explore how composers create great music based on ideas from Fables, Fantasy and Folklore!  See the full concert listing, and purchase tickets, here.

On Saturday, January 31, the 9th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Instrumental Competition was held in Hosmer Hall at the Crane School of Music. The young musicians performed for a panel of four judges. Congratulations to the winners (from left to right in the first image):

• First place: Christopher Spinelli, age 16 of Manlius, NY
  (Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor, first movement)
• Second place: Ivan Yumagoluv, age 15 of Syracuse
  (Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2, first movement)
• Third place: Mina Fakir, age 15 of Malone
  (Mozart Flute Concerto No. 1, first movement)

As the winner of the Young Artist Instrumental Competition, Christoper will have the opportunity to perform with ONNY during its March concerts.  "It is always a treat every year to hear these wonderful young artists perform a variety of great music," said Music Director Kenneth Andrews. "I look forward to working with Christopher Spinelli, our first-prize winner from Syracuse, on the Schumann A Minor Concerto in our March Concert."

The James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Instrumental Competition was established to inspire the young musicians of northern New York and beyond to reach their highest level of artistry. This competition is one of the few of its kind in the U.S. to offer both cash prizes as well as the opportunity to solo with a professional symphony orchestra.

Enjoy an Italian dinner at Sergi's restaurant following the concert on Sunday, February 8th.  $25 for adults; $15 ages 12 and under.  Reservations are required.  For more details, read the invitation.

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POTSDAM - Reservations are now being accepted for the Orchestra's  annual Holiday Brunch & Silent Auction that will take place Sunday, December 7, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Barben Rooms, Cheel Center at Clarkson University.

The event has become a much anticipated holiday festivity; early reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

Attendees will enjoy live holiday music by friends and musicians of the Orchestra. In addition, there will be a silent auction and raffle featuring beautiful hand-crafted items from local artists, among other items donated by local merchants.

Support the Orchestra of Northern New York at one of its most important fundraisers of the year.

Tickets are $30 for adults (includes a $15 tax-deductible donation) and $17 (includes a $10 tax-deductible donation) for students, 12 and younger. Children under five are free. 

For tickets or more information, call Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice at 315-267-3251 or email onnybusiness@gmail.com.

POTSDAM - High school students in Northern and Central New York are invited to participate in the 9th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Instrumental Competition on January 31, 2015.

Participants will received feedback from a panel of professional musicians. Cash prized will be awarded for the top three students. And the winner will be featured with the Orchestra in the March 14th performance of Fables, Fantasy and Folklore concert program.

A brochure describing the rules and regulations of the competition, the list of approved repertoire, and the application form are available by clicking 'here.'

A non-refundable $50 application fee is required to be filed with a completed application by the January 16, 2015 deadline. For more information, contact Kathy Del Guidice, ONNY Executive Director, at onnybusiness@gmail.com or 315-267-3251.

The Orchestra of Northern New York is pleased to announce the hiring of Kathy Del Guidice as Executive Director. She will oversee all management and operational activities for the orchestra.

Ms. Del Guidice brings a wealth of experience to the position.  Prior to this appointment, she was the Development Associate for the American Stage Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida where she was involved with events planning, fundraising, and grant writing.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with The Orchestra of Northern New York,” says Ms Del Guidice. “In my mind they are one of the finest regional orchestras in the country.”

A longtime resident of northern New York prior to her move to Florida, Del Guidice is well-known in this area for her many years of management as Executive Director of St. Lawrence Foundation for Youth and the highly acclaimed “Music Theatre North”.

Del Guidice has a BA from SUNY Potsdam, and an MBA from Clarkson University. She and her husband, Richard, reside in Colton, New York.

Dear Patrons,

Welcome to The Orchestra of Northern New York’s 27th Season – Keeping the Music…LIVE!  LIVE music is what keeps all types of music fresh, new and exciting.  Our mission has been, and will always be, to bring you LIVE music performed by brilliant soloists and inspired professional musicians from Northern New York and beyond!

Join us in our 2014-2015 season for a wide array of concerts and musical entertainment. Come experience why this Orchestra is considered one of the great artistic gems of our region, and why it was dubbed long ago, “One of the Sweetest Sounds in New York” by the I LOVE NEW YORK campaign.  Whether your ears favor the magic of Mozart, the expansiveness of Brahms, the exhilarating power of Beethoven, the brilliance of music from the Baroque period, Holiday and Summer Pops or other great classics from the orchestral repertoire, we have something for everyone that will surely satisfy the most eclectic and discriminating tastes!

We look forward to seeing you at our concerts during this exciting new season.  THANK YOU for your great support over the years and for your help in Keeping the Music…LIVE!

Sincerely,

Kenneth Andrews
Music Director