Bethlehem Senior Eamonn O’Neill said he was excited to share the “global language of music” as he and other students in the Empire State Youth Orchestra prepare to travel to Asia this summer to perform.
The ESYO was invited to perform at the 2012 International Exposition in South Korea, the group announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Bethlehem Central High School. The trip will last two weeks and includes seven performances in total — two of which are in China.
“The orchestra will reach a world-wide audience and (the students will) be able to share their accomplishments and be ambassadors for the American culture,” said Executive Director Susan Brome.
At the end of June, the full 96-piece ensemble consisting of music students from throughout the Capital District will head to Beijing to share patriotic favorites during an American Independence day event. Next they will travel to Shanghai where a mix of European and American symphonies will be played.
The students will spend the most time in South Korea.
Along with performing at the International Exposition in the City of Yeosu, they will also perform at the U.S. Army’s 8th Battalion Base in Seoul, at a local hospital, and on South Korea’s Sorok Island.
Helen Ch-Pyo, ESYO’s Music Director and Conductor, said the island was once used to isolate citizens afflicted with Hansen’s disease, better known as leprosy, in the early 20th century. Some elderly patients still reside there and ESYO students were specifically asked to come perform.
“I want to go there and just for that moment let them forget what they’ve been through,” said Bethlehem sophomore Aria Shi. “I want to give them a moment to live in the present.”
Ch-Pyo said the first time the people of the island had heard western music was in 2010 when members of the London Philharmonic performed for them is what was described as a “transformative experience.” Only half of the orchestra will be able to perform since the Island’s hall isn’t large enough for the full ensemble.
Proceeds from the ESYO concert in Seoul will benefit a history museum to be built on Sorok Island.
“Through our performance we will together hold hands to share their story with the rest of the world.” said Ch-Pyo.
ESYO is now raising money for the trip, which isn’t cheap.
Without donations and sponsors, each student will need to pay $4,000 to make the trip. In addition to the 96 students, nearly two dozen chaperones are expected to attend as well. Brome said fundraising has already begun and several corporate sponsors have been found, but they are still no where close to their goal.
The majority of the needed funds will be put towards transportation, accommodations, and tour guides to interpret for the group in both countries. The ESYO also has to rent instruments while in each country and pay for its own venue space at most locations.
Besides its annual gala and concert on March 10, the group has started an online fundraiser on the site kickstarter.com.
Brome said the site allows charitable groups to set a date by which to earn a certain amount of donations. If the group does not receive enough pledges to meet its goal by the deadline, those who pledge money are not charged. The youth orchestra set a goal of $6,000 by Feb. 13 and currently half has been raised.
All of the students are thrilled about the trip. Many have never left the country, let alone traveled to Asia.
Shi said she still has family in China, who may be able to attend the group’s performances there.
“I’m excited to travel there, so they can see what I’ve been learning here,” said the violinist.
O’Neill said he’s a little scared because none of them know the language, but he’s relying on music to help break the communication barrier.
“We will still be able to talk, just not with out voice but with our music,” he said.
To learn more visit www.esyo.org.
