Name: 2026 Vernice N. Church Challenge for Young Artists
Start: 2026-05-09T09:00:00
Location: Crane School of Music

The Orchestra of Northern New York

ONNY gets an early start on celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday with this stirring program of music by American composers. There’s a reason John Williams has been called a modern-day John Philip Sousa, as there is no one better at stirring feelings of patriotism through his music. And when it comes to celebrating American heroes through music, Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait continues to be the gold standard. The work combines Copland’s rousing music with Lincoln’s powerful words. The program concludes with Howard Hanson stunningly beautiful Symphony No.2, better known by its subtitle, “Romantic.” It promises to be a thoughtful and inspirational tribute to our nation’s semi quincentennial.

Summon the Heroes

Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall

Trinity Episcopal Church Watertown

Junior High and High School students from Northern and Central New York as well as the Capital Region who are “Pursuing Artistic Growth” will perform a live in-person recital. Participants will be performing a piece from the current NYSSMA Manual, Level 5 or 6.