Concerts
Thank you for your support of the SUNY Schenectady School of Music.
Unless otherwise noted, all performances are free and take place in Carl B. Taylor Auditorium.
October 2025
October 1
Troubleshooting, 7:00 p.m.
A micro-opera by John Carroll '16, for two voices and piano, Troubleshooting depicts a phone call between a lonely, socially dysfunctional young adult (Sam) and a volunteer social worker with similar issues (Rory). The show portrays the struggle neurodivergent people often face when they desire connection and closeness but feel thwarted when having to navigate social settings which do not adequately accommodate their issues.
October 3
Jazz clinic/masterclass, 3:30 p.m.
A Place for Jazz: Sarah Hanahan Quartet, 7:30 p.m.
$25 general admission; SUNY Schenectady students free with ID; $10 other students with ID. Cash or checks, no credit cards.
Sarah Hanahan is an up-and-coming jazz saxophonist in New York City. Sarah is a graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music where she received her bachelor’s degree in 2019, as well as The Juilliard School where she received her master’s degree in 2022. She has had the privilege of studying with some of the greats of our time including Abraham Burton, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Billy Drummond, and Marc Cary.
Recently, Sarah has been working with many renowned musicians including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary and many others. Sarah plays regularly with her own band in venues around NYC such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Birdland, The Django, and more. She also recently had the opportunity to play for the 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert at the Kennedy Center honoring Sue Mingus with the Mingus Dynasty Band. Sarah tours both nationwide and internationally with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Orchestra, Joe Farnsworth, and the Grammy award-winning Mingus Big Band.
Joining Sarah will be Caelan Cardello on piano, Matt Dwonszyk on bass, and Sam Bolduc on drums.
October 8
Music Business Lecture Series: Bruce Pilato, Owner/operator, Pilato Entertainment, Marketing & Media, LLC, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Bruce Pilato is a music industry veteran who began his journey in 1976. He spent nearly 40 years as an acclaimed music journalist for the likes of Variety, USA TODAY, AP, MIX, and Gannett News Service. He has interviewed and written about 1,100 music celebrities including three of The Beatles; The Rolling Stones; Led Zeppelin; to Stevie Wonder; Adele; and Drake. His management company has guided the careers of Emerson Lake & Palmer, ASIA, and The Tubes, and he has worked on PR projects for Foreigner, Sex Pistols member Glen Matlock, Meat Loaf, Little River Band, YES, and Whitesnake. In 2001, Pilato was invited to work on ex-Beatle Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band tour. He is a 25-year voting member of The Recording Academy and The Grammy Awards.
This series is supported by KeyBank, the President’s Workforce Innovation Fund, and Mona J. Golub.
October 8
Music Business Lecture Series Reception with Bruce Pilato, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Following the Music Business Lecture with Bruce Pilato, please join us in the Lally Mohawk Room for refreshments as he talks about how community and business leaders can nurture a vibrant music scene.
Please RSVP for the Bruce Pilato Reception
October 11
Brass Day, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
October 12
Friends of Chamber Music present: Verona Quartet and Steven Banks, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Join us as our region's young musicians engage in a dynamic, real-time chamber music masterclass with Verona Quartet and saxophonist, Steven Banks. No ticket required.
October 17
A Place for Jazz: Leo Russo Sextet, 7:30 p.m.
$25 general admission; SUNY Schenectady students free with ID; $10 other students with ID. Cash or checks, no credit cards.
Leo Russo Sextet, with Lee Russo, Michael Novakowski, Larry Ham, Pete Toigo, and Cliff Brucker.
October 18
Percussion Day, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
October 22
Musicians of Ma’alwyck preview The Merry Musical Family, A Celebration of Dutch Composers, 12 p.m.
Musicians of Ma’alwyck presents a captivating concert series of exquisite chamber works by 17th and 18th century Dutch composers.
Featuring masterworks by Pieter Hellendaal, Josef Schmitt (the “Dutch Haydn”), and Christian Graf, this program celebrates the deep cultural ties between the Netherlands and the Capital Region. Learn more about the Musicians of Ma'alwyck.
October 24
High School Choral Workshop, 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
High school choirs are invited to join the School of Music for a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of choral singing under the guidance of renowned professionals. Led by our distinguished faculty and featuring internationally acclaimed conductor and clinician Bruce Rogers, this workshop promises to be an exceptional learning and performing experience. Learn more about the Choral Workshop.
October 25
Conducting Workshop, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
All choral conductors in the Capital Region are welcome to come and explore various aspects of choral conducting techniques under the guidance of internationally acclaimed conductor and clinician, Mr. Bruce Rogers. Learn more about the Conducting Workshop
October 27
Music Business Lecture Series: Gail Wein, President, Classical Music Communications, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Gail Wein has a unique perspective in the music industry: A view from the other side. A classical music critic for The Washington Post, radio host and producer for NPR national programs, and writer of liner notes for a triple-Grammy winning CD, Ms. Wein thoroughly understands the inner workings of media and the personalities who make editorial decisions. As producer of Performance Today, a nationally-broadcast public radio program heard by 1.5 million listeners each week, Ms. Wein worked with individuals in every arm of the business, including performers, composers, venues, festivals, recording engineers, artist managers and record labels.
This series is supported by KeyBank, the President’s Workforce Innovation Fund, and Mona J. Golub.
October 28
Chamber Music Series: Iida Nyman Piano Recital, 7:00 p.m.
November 2025
November 5
Music Business Lecture Series: Jon Elbaum, Executive Director, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Jon Elbaum has served as Executive Director of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall since
2011. He has a lifelong passion for music and is grateful to have been able to translate
that passion into a career. The Music Hall is currently in the midst of a $17.5M renovation
and expansion project which is scheduled for completion in
early 2026.
This series is supported by KeyBank, the President’s Workforce Innovation Fund, and Mona J. Golub.
November 7
A Place for Jazz: Tyreek McDole, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
$25 general admission; SUNY Schenectady students free with ID; $10 other students with ID. Cash or checks, no credit cards.
Tyreek McDole, a 25-year-old Haitian-American vocalist from Florida, is making waves in the New York and international music scene. His journey began with a standout debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2018 Essentially Ellington Competition, where he won the Outstanding Vocalist Award, presented by Wynton Marsalis.
Since then, he has shared the stage with artists like Rodney Whitaker, Theo Croker, Gary Bartz, Maurice Brown, and Joey Alexander. In November 2023, he won 1st place in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition becoming only the second male to do so in its 12-year history. Noted as one of the most anticipated events in jazz, McDole’s accolade now ranks him among the competition’s previous winners including the standout artists Samara Joy (2019 winner).
Tyreek is also earned a degree in jazz performance from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, under the guidance of esteemed instructors LaTanya Hall, Gary Bartz, Gerald Cannon, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Dan Wall, Sullivan Fortner, and Weedie Braimah.
Accompanying Tyreek: Gary Jones III on drums, Caelan Cardello on piano and Daniel Finn on bass.
November 9
Capital Region Wind Ensemble presents Aegean Festival, 3 p.m.
Exploring the music of Greece, Turkey, and the Aegean islands.
Anthony O'Toole, Phalanx for Brass Ensemble; Andreas Makris, Aegean Festival Overture; Paul Creston, Anatolia; Adam Gorb, Dances from Crete
$10 for adults, $8 for students, $5 for children under 10
More information: 518-381-1231 ext. 2 or CapitalRegionWindEnsemble@gmail.com
November 15
Friends of Chamber Music presents: Quatuor Agate Masterclass, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Join us as our region's young musicians engage in a dynamic, real-time chamber music masterclass. Quatuor Agate were prizewinners at the prestigious Bordeaux International String Competition. No ticket required. Held in the School of Music, Room 131.
November 20
Musicians of Ma'alwyck: David Amram Open Rehearsal, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
November 21
Musicians of Ma'alwyck: David Amram Open Dress Rehearsal and Q&A, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Musicians of Ma’alwyck: David Amram, 7:00 p.m.
Concert tickets: $40; Reception tickets: $10; Reserve a combo ticket for $50.
Free for SUNY Schenectady students
Get tickets for Musicians of Ma'alwyck: David Amram
Join Musicians of Ma’alwyck in honoring the 95th birthday of legendary American composer David Amram, a genre-defying icon whose seven-decade career has earned him "rockstar" status in the classical music world.
We celebrate this milestone with a beatnik-inspired concert featuring a special performance by the composer himself.
November 24
Music Business Lecture Series: Michael Kirsty, Executive Director, Friends of Chamber Music of Troy, New York, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Michael Kirsty is an active cellist, arts administrator, and educator with a deep commitment to community engagement and music accessibility. Prior to his role at Friends of Chamber Music of Troy, New York (FoCM), he was the Box Office Manager of Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival. Michael remains active as a performer, recording artist, and teacher with a studio in Albany, New York. His performances, ranging from concert halls, schools, and libraries, underscore his belief in the power of music to connect and uplift communities. Michael is a graduate of SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, where he earned a degree in cello performance under the mentorship of renowned cellist and chamber musician Julia Lichten.
This series is supported by KeyBank, the President’s Workforce Innovation Fund, and Mona J. Golub.
November 24
Guitar & Bass Recital, 12:00 p.m.
Guitar Ensemble Concert & Audio Listening Recital, 7:00 p.m.
November 25
Brass Recital & Brass Ensemble Concert, 12:30 p.m.
Chamber Ensemble & Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:00 p.m.
November 26
Percussion Recital, 12:00 p.m.
December 2025
December 1
Woodwinds & Strings Recital, 12:00 p.m.
Digital Music & Beat Production Listening Recital, 1:00 p.m.
Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m.
December 2
Piano Recital, 12:30 p.m.
Vocal Chamber Ensemble Concert, 7:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
603 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
December 3
Voice Recital, 12 p.m.
Wind Ensemble Concert, 7:00 p.m.
December 4
Applied Lesson Recital, 12:30 p.m.
December 5
Jazz Combo & Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:00 p.m.