Non-profit organization Alliance for Music Performance in Troy created
TROY, N.Y. >> Leaders of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation and the Empire State Youth Orchestra have announced the creation of a non-profit organization coined AMPT, Alliance for Music Performance in Troy, that will provide exciting new musical arts opportunities for the region.
AMPT was developed to explore the use of the recently acquired vacant floors of the Troy Savings Bank building by the Troy Music Hall Corporation. This new alliance is meant to enable its partners to maximize their impact through shared resources, and to realize a broader vision to offer enhanced music and performance opportunities to the community.
“The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation is thrilled to enter into this new relationship with the Empire State Youth Orchestra. This exciting partnership will result in an everexpanding musical experience for the region. We urge everyone to ‘stay tuned’ as more details are unveiled over the coming months,” Wally Altes, who was recently named to AMPT’s Board of Directors, said in a press release
AMPT will open the Troy Savings Bank doors to engage the community through increased artist interactions, discussions, events, and educational opportunities. The Empire State Youth Orchestra will gain new rehearsal spaces and an education center where students can benefit from acoustically tuned rooms, and exposure to some of the world’s most celebrated artists.
“From the moment the First Niagara Bank Branch closed, we began to think about ways that would allow the Music Hall to fulfill its potential as an asset in serving the community through promoting the arts. The ability to bring touring artists into contact with young musicians on a regular basis is an exciting reason to move forward,” added Jon Elbaum, who serves as executive director of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation. “We are delighted by the creation of AMPT and the opportunities it presents, not only for Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and ESYO, but also for the arts community.”
Elbaum was hired in 2011 to bring more arts programming to the venue, and he did that by adding more comedy, pop, and emerging artists on the stage to complement a long tradition of showcasing the finest world music, jazz and classical programming. As a result, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall ticket sales more than doubled since he accepted the position.
The new alliance will allow ESYO to expand and continue to fulfill its mission. ESYO attracts more than 600 talented young musicians each season from across the Capital Region and beyond to engage in an outstanding performance-based program.
“We are excited to partner with the Music Hall to provide young musicians the opportunity to interact with the professional artists that the Hall attracts,” Rebecca Calos, executive director of ESYO, said in the release.
AMPT’s goal is to strengthen the ability of its partners to provide outstanding musical experiences for youth and the broader community. Additionally, it enables the partners to maximize impact through shared staffing and overhead expenses.
The Alliance will also be used to expand educational outreach by both ESYO and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. In 2015 ESYO partnered with the Schenectady City School District and Proctors to launch CHIME, a free instrumental access program for under resourced youth who wish to pursue musical study. CHIME expanded to Troy last season. ESYO credits Proctors for serving as a role model in how to expand access to arts education in our region, noting that CHIME would not be the success it is in Schenectady without Proctors support. ESYO will continue to operate CHIME in Schenectady and maintain its hub at Proctors. AMPT will allow ESYO to create a similar hub for CHIME in Troy, as well as to enable Troy Music Hall to grow its community-based arts programming.
The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation is a key supporter of the Music Hall Corporation and has made significant contributions over the years to ensure the preservation of the Music Hall itself, which is owned by the Troy Savings Bank Foundation.
Daniel J. Hogarty, Jr. previously served as president of Troy Savings Bank and now serves as board president for the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. “The Troy Savings Bank Building is a national treasure, beloved by audiences and performers alike for its world-class architectural and acoustical brilliance. With the creation of AMPT, we’re exploring new cultural horizons that we believe will benefit the community in myriad ways, and we’re hopeful that the community will recognize the value and support this exciting new venture,” he said in the release.
The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation grants funds to a number of nonprofits throughout the region, in addition to lending its support to the upkeep of the Music Hall through its annual contributions to the Troy Music Hall Foundation.
Abbe Kovacik, who is the executive director of the Capital District Child Care Council, was also recently appointed to the AMPT board of directors. “The Alliance for Music Performance in Troy will enrich the region’s love of music,” she said in the release. “The Alliance has the potential to support great musical performances enjoyed by all and to sharpen the minds of young musicians to focus on their dreams of becoming great performers. Simply, the Alliance is an opportunity for all of the region’s talent to celebrate our rich history in and deep appreciation of excellent music.”
Additional details about AMPT will be revealed in upcoming months after exploration activities take place and a plan is developed.