Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
The Albany Symphony in partnership with the NYS Canal Corp. is commemorating the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal through music and stories, raising more voices to tell untold stories about the past, present, and future of the Erie Canal. The three-year Water Music NY project, spanning 2024-2026, began with a series of pop-up concerts with new works by guest composers. This video was recorded at the Schoharie Crossing pop up concert in 2024.
The project takes inspiration from the 2017 Water Music NY Festival, and opens a new chapter, exploring underrepresented voices, including those of women, immigrants, people of color, and Indigenous peoples, to commemorate the bicentennial of the completion of the Erie Canal.
The 2025 American Music Festival Water Music NY: More Voices is taking place June 4 through 8, 2025 in the Capital Region.
The Erie Canal Bicentennial Water Music festival is taking place July 2-6, 2025 at locations throughout New York State.
Chapters:
Water Music 2017 0:00-1:08
Water Music More Voices 1:08-2:01
Schoharie Crossing Pop-Up 2:01-3:21
Clarice Assad 3:21-5:30
Work of the Albany Symphony 5:30-6:12
Image Credits:
Albany Symphony
Erie Canal Museum
New York State Library
Performance Credits:
Earth and Water
Music and words by Clarice Assad
With partnership from Haudenosaunee storytellers Kay Olan, Tonia Loran Galban, and Perry Ground
Mezzo-Soprano Devony Smith
Soprano Britt Hewitt
Violin I Elizabeth Silver
Violin II Paula Oakes
Viola JJ Johnson
Cello Erica Pickhardt
Heinrich Medicus Music Director David Alan Miller
Audio by Live Sound Inc
Recording Engineer Mike Seddon
Mixing Engineer Sean Wendell
Director of Photography Wei Wang
Camera Op. Dylan Louie
Camera Op. Kim Johnson
Drone Op. Wei Wang
Editor | Colorist Wei Wang
Executive Director Emily Fritz-Endres
General Manager Derek Smith
Programs Manager Lily Whiteman
Performance filmed on location at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in cooperation with the New York State Canal Corporation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation
Want more info on this topic? Check out the resources below:
Albany Symphony - Water Music More Voices
albanysymphony.com/2025-wmny
New York State Canal Corporation
canals.ny.gov/About/History/More-Voices
Learn more about Reflections on the Erie Canal at https//wmht.org/ErieCanal
The Albany Symphony in partnership with the NYS Canal Corp. is commemorating the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal through music and stories, raising more voices to tell untold stories about the past, present, and future of the Erie Canal. The three-year Water Music NY project, spanning 2024-2026, began with a series of pop-up concerts with new works by guest composers. This video was recorded at the Schoharie Crossing pop up concert in 2024.
The project takes inspiration from the 2017 Water Music NY Festival, and opens a new chapter, exploring underrepresented voices, including those of women, immigrants, people of color, and Indigenous peoples, to commemorate the bicentennial of the completion of the Erie Canal.
The 2025 American Music Festival Water Music NY: More Voices is taking place June 4 through 8, 2025 in the Capital Region.
The Erie Canal Bicentennial Water Music festival is taking place July 2-6, 2025 at locations throughout New York State.
Chapters:
Water Music 2017 0:00-1:08
Water Music More Voices 1:08-2:01
Schoharie Crossing Pop-Up 2:01-3:21
Clarice Assad 3:21-5:30
Work of the Albany Symphony 5:30-6:12
Image Credits:
Albany Symphony
Erie Canal Museum
New York State Library
Performance Credits:
Earth and Water
Music and words by Clarice Assad
With partnership from Haudenosaunee storytellers Kay Olan, Tonia Loran Galban, and Perry Ground
Mezzo-Soprano Devony Smith
Soprano Britt Hewitt
Violin I Elizabeth Silver
Violin II Paula Oakes
Viola JJ Johnson
Cello Erica Pickhardt
Heinrich Medicus Music Director David Alan Miller
Audio by Live Sound Inc
Recording Engineer Mike Seddon
Mixing Engineer Sean Wendell
Director of Photography Wei Wang
Camera Op. Dylan Louie
Camera Op. Kim Johnson
Drone Op. Wei Wang
Editor | Colorist Wei Wang
Executive Director Emily Fritz-Endres
General Manager Derek Smith
Programs Manager Lily Whiteman
Performance filmed on location at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in cooperation with the New York State Canal Corporation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation
Want more info on this topic? Check out the resources below:
Albany Symphony - Water Music More Voices
albanysymphony.com/2025-wmny
New York State Canal Corporation
canals.ny.gov/About/History/More-Voices
Learn more about Reflections on the Erie Canal at https//wmht.org/ErieCanal
