On Sunday, June 1, a joyful convergence of performers, audience, and resident flora & fauna took place at River Hook Preserve in Upper Nyack, NY--centering the wisdom we humans can learn from the preserve's notable trees through live music performance.  The performers offered sublime sounds, eliciting feedback from attendees and participants including:

“Transcendent." 

“The whole thing really blew me away...integrated in a way I have not experienced before." 

"EcoTones brought the whole community together through music and art. A truly memorable and inspiring afternoon!"

"The most beautiful event imaginable....I had no idea when I chose my house I could walk to the equivalent of Tanglewood!" 

"What a beautiful event in our community...fed the soul, it brought tears.”

Highlights from EcoTones Concerts: The Wise Trees of River Hook included

• Gino Sitson, Kevin Farrell, Mayra Casales, Glenn Schloss, Alan Ferber, and Jon Roth bringing a serious party to the Flora & Fauna Percussion Jam at River Hook's naturescape playground; across from the preserve's largest "Hub" or "Mother" maple tree

• Collective Accord's sublime vocal harmonies and Zaneta Sykes' fierce rhythmic groove at Mother Maple Stage converged for the premieres of new songs by poet/lyricist Lily Greenberg & cellist/composer Jody Redhage-Ferber

• The transcendent tones of soprano Ilana Davidson and vibraphonist Chris Dingman rang at Oracle Grove (including another Greenberg/Redhage-Ferber premiere

• Breath-meditation inspired performances by multi-instrumentalist Ben Kono and Jody Redhage-Ferber centered attendees at the Breath Exchange. 

• Strawtown Studio elevated the audiences' connection to the inner workings of trees through nature artmaking

• The Nyack High School Art Department, led by artist/teacher Danielle McDonald and NHS seniors Sam Kono and Kett Rosstier, read & responded to Greenberg's original poetry about the trees and carved gorgeous original woodblock print signs and banners which were displayed at each stage. 

• The Nyack High School Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Tanya Chanphanitpornkit joined the professional EcoTones Ensemble for performances during the large ensemble set, impressing everyone with their poise, preparation, and professionalism. 

We couldn't have done this without a great coming together of community supporters and partners including an ArtsAlive grant from ArtsWestchester, the Village of Upper Nyack, Mayor Karen Tarapata and UN Trustees, ArtsRock, Greenbush Construction, Long Path Outfitters, the Bakehouse at the Tarrytown Train Station, and the Friends of River Hook nonprofit

This project is made possible with funds from Arts Alive, a regrant program of ArtsWestchester with support from the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Council on the Arts.