Experience ONNY's new family-centered outreach program, ONNY Pops Up! The program focuses on increasing public engagement—especially among youth and families—by offering performances outside traditional concert halls.

ONNY Pops Up @ North Country Children's Museum

North Country Children's Museum

Enjoy scrumptious desserts while listening to eight fabulous singers as they perform hits from Broadway and beyond!  Performers include: Jim Fryer, Kyle Flint, Meaghan Janovsky, Jennifer Blewett, Hailey Hodge, Andrea Ellison, Laura Gilbert, and Kimberly Busch, with Josh Barkley on piano.

Cabaret Show with Desserts in Canton

Eben Holden Conference Center

Gifted young artists compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to solo with the Orchestra at a future concert.  Judges from ONNY provide written feedback to all participants and select prizewinners from the talented youth of our region who are "Striving For Excellence."

19th Annual James & Katherine Andrews Young Artist Competition

Sara Snell Music Theater

ONNY promises to get you in the holiday spirit with a wonderful mix of music for the season! Whether you love classical favorites by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, and Rimsky-Korsakov, crooner tunes like White Christmas or Mel Tormé's The Christmas Song, or holiday music from around the world, this program has something bound to put you in the mood for mixing up your eggnog and wrapping your presents. And remember—you’re always welcome at ONNY’s home for the holidays!

Home for the Holidays

First Presbyterian Church of Watertown

Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall

Among the words and phrases coined by William Shakespeare, the use of “star-crossed” to describe lovers whose relationship is destined to fail because of forces beyond their control may be the most poignant. The term first appears in Romeo and Juliet, a play that inspired composers ranging from Tchaikovsky to Bernstein to create music that captures the beauty and tragedy of that timeless tale. In Bizet’s Carmen, celebrating its 150th birthday this year, although the circumstances preventing a relationship between Carmen and Don José are quite different than Romeo and Juliet’s or Tony and Maria’s, it is no less tragic or moving. We hope that you’ll join us for a program of stunning music inspired by the passion, joy, and sadness of these star-crossed lovers.

Star-Crossed

Trinity Episcopal Church Watertown

Cabaret Show with Desserts

Italian American Civic Association

The audience is in for an evening of fun and surprises when NCPR on-air personality Barb Heller (guitar and vocals) and ONNY concertmaster Liesl Doty (violin) join forces. From original music to a round of Texas stomp fiddlin', the program is described as east meets west, and ranges from folk to Scottish tunes. You won't want to miss this one!

Barb Heller & Liesl Doty

Adirondack Presbyterian Church

Wanakena Presbyterian Church

Accompanied on piano by Crane School of Music colleague, Risa Okina, ONNY's principal cellist Marie-Elaine Gagnon presents "Echoes of the Forest: Cello, Fauna, and Flora." Works by Gabriel Faure', Alberto Ginastera, Camille Saint-Saens, and Heitor Villa-Lobos will be performed, with a few more surprises! Think of the Swan, Papillon, Silent Woods, etc.

Marie-Élaine Gagnon

Childwold Memorial Presbyterian Church

Join ONNY as it presents the husband and wife team of Liesl and Karl Doty performing traditional and original tunes from a variety of folk and classical styles. They were wildly popular when they performed a few years ago and we are delighted to have them entertain Adirondack audiences once again. Liesl is ONNY's new Concertmaster.

The Dotys

ONNY celebrates the 249th birthday of our country with a program of patriotic and popular music that will surely get your toes tapping and your flags waving! Whether you’re into the rousing marches of Sousa, the majestic fanfares of John Williams, or the Broadway sounds of Chicago — which turns 50 this year! — this program has something for everyone.

Under the Stars — and Stripes

Thompson Park

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

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.

The Orchestra of Northern New York

25 - 26 Apr, 2026

Summon the Heroes

May 9, 2026

2026 Vernice N. Church Challenge for Young Artists

Apr 11, 2026

ONNY Pops Up @ North Country Children's Museum

Feb 13, 2026

Cabaret Show with Desserts in Canton

The Orchestra of Northern New York