Hudson Festival Orchestra

"I've known Gwen Gould (founder of HFO) since living in Hudson for the past 10-12 years. The July concert is such an opportunity for the people of Hudson to be exposed to so much that is new and different." - Tony Kieraldo, pianist/arranger/composer

We realize that the Hudson River is a part of our community and want to highlight it with each event. Our free July concert took advantage of this landmark by being oriented towards the Catskills in the West with the majestic river in the foreground. We promote all the river activities and consider them an extension of our mission. From Hudson Ferry Co. to the lighthouse and the many sloops being refurbished, we are eager to enhance this community attribute.

"It couldn't have been more perfect. The sunset was gorgeous. The boats sailing on the river. I loved the kids taking their places in the orchestra. All of it was good. Very diverse." Words from "Hudson in Concert" attendee, Kim Bach. The Hudson Festival Orchestra strives for diversity and excellence - AND the ability to bring people together through music. Please donate.

IN CASE YOU MISSED US!

HFO will be joining TONIGHT at 7pm along with Nea McKinney (6:30pm) and (7:30pm) to share a selection of recordings from our July 13th concert.

Come say hi, grab one of our beautiful shirts designed by local artist .kabalan, and sign up to receive access to the full video from July’s concert!

OOPS! Start time for Sister Redhawk, drumming and singing, is now 6:30PM tonight at Waterfront Wednesday. Stay to watch a video showing portions of “Hudson in Concert” featuring more than 12 acts, 70 musicians (many of them local) – from this past July. 800 people attended. If you weren’t among them, you’re in for a treat. Come early, bring a blanket and picnic on dinner from one of several food trucks.

- Join us this coming Wednesday evening, August 28th at the river. We will be showcasing a portion of our July concert via video as part of Waterfront Wednesday. It begins with a live performance of indigenous dancing and drumming by Sister Redhawk at 7PM. Then, “Hudson in Concert” on digital. We’re eager to share this wonderful musical event with those who may have missed it. To say nothing of celebrating the great Hudson River. Hope you’ll head down to the river and enjoy the entertainment. FREE.

Believing that music and culture can build community, our goal is to bring diverse area residents together through live musical celebrations. Our shared American and diverse cultural heritages can be celebrated through music. Please help us extend our reach.

We feature local artists, community organizations and even Hudson City public school students, among others, in our annual community concert. For 2024 we included a new composition by regional resident Sheila Silver, Music for full orchestra with poetry from Hudson Valley musician Adriana Tampasis, and "Fanfare for the Family Farm" by Vermonter Gwyneth Walker, including the 'music' of tin pails, milk cans and a cowbell. From Hudson and beyond, we have plenty to offer.

"To call it a concert does not do it justice. With dancers, singers, instrumentalists and even theater groups from many diverse ethnic traditions interlaced with the Western orchestra -- the result was a great concert and a great concept." - Sheila Silver, composer
Photo by Steven Taylor

The premiere of Phillip Roebuck’s piece, “Tatah Kim” was a standout crowd favorite. It was performed by Bhanaka Sangha, an American world-music choir-band of “scripture singers.” What a unique arrangement and performance of “verse stacking” using texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Greek, Latin and Arabic. The audience gave them a standing O.

Help us maintain this high level of diversity. Please donate.

A Chance to see “One of Our Own”!
Remember the dazzling performance of contralto Vira Slywotzky during “Hudson in Concert”? This Saturday, Aug.3rd, she will be performing a program of opera arias, show tunes, classical and popular songs at The Local, 16 John St., Saugerties. (917) 292-6812 Appearing with pianist David Sytkowski, Vira will be singing in English, French and Ukrainian - love songs, dance tunes, ballads – composers and writers past and present. It’s called “Serenading of the Summer Moon.” We think she’s terrific! Enjoy!

It's always a special moment in the program when Operation Unite and Kuumba Dance and Drum Academy pull the community together to dance. Pete from the Powerboat Association joined in after hosting the musicians' meals on Friday and Saturday.

Thank you, Hudson.
Please donate.

The opening acts of Hudson in Concert really set the tone for the evening, transporting us to different times and places as we faced the streaming sun over the water and the beautiful Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, which is celebrating 150 years as our river beacon. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society was on site with the Hudson Festival Orchestra to share a video and volunteer during the evening.

Thanks to all!

Our volunteers from Perfect Ten did a beautiful job running concessions and doling out classic treats as the audience arrived and into the evening. It was so nice to see young people getting involved with the concert and we thank them for their leadership. And thanks to all our youth volunteers.

Thank you, Hudson!
Support the Hudson Festival Orchestra.

Thank you, Hudson! More than 800 people joined conductor Gwen Gould, founder of the Hudson Festival orchestra at last night's "Hudson in Concert". No rain and the sunset was superb. So was the concert! Like Gwen says, "Music and culture can bridge divides and build community." Special thanks to our supporters, the crew and GREAT musicians!

Our food vendors are as diverse as our musicians! While listening to the sounds of world music with Sanskrit text, American Jazz, the Ukrainian tango and a composition inspired by a Native American legend, consider the assortment of foods at your disposal. Kurb Dog, Hamrahs Lebanese, Ukrainian specialties from the cooks from St. Michaels Church, Middle Eastern selections from the Schwarma Cart, Jerk chicken, rice & beans from Bags and Barbecue and Culture Cream ice cream. Also on site: cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones. TONIGHT is Hudson in Concert beginning at 5PM. On the Hudson Riverfront.

Join us!

Ragas and Talas! - featuring Eric Fraser, our good friend who led the Indian music last year. He'll be leading an uplifting and rhythmically energized set of Indian Classical music with a flare. The ragas (melodies) meet the talas (rhythms) bringing the soil of Indian music to the riverfront. Eric (bansuri flute), Abhik Mukherjee (sitar), Naren Budhaker (tabla), Tripp Dudley (tabla and drums) and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton (mbira). In the Gazebo beginning at 5PM TONIGHT!
Come to Hudson Festival Orchestra's FREE evening of cultural diversity - a celebration of Community!

The Dust Bowl Faeries will be participating in our Hudson River celebration. They're dark cabaret, post punk. The describe themselves as being inspired by circus songs, murder ballads and Eastern European folk music. See them perform in the Gazebo at the riverfront beginning at 5PM. The orchestra convenes in the main tent at 7PM.

It's all happening tomorrow in Hudson at the riverfront.

For the first time since we’ve been presenting the riverfront concerts, we’re offering T-shirts. Of course, your purchase will help us defray costs, but they also act as a reminder of a great day at the waterfront!. Hope to see these around town during the remainder of the summer! Shout out to our designer, Sophia Kabalan!! www.sophiakabalan.com
See you tomorrow at Hudson in Concert.

Our Musician Meal for a Break during rehearsal.
Thanks from an anonymous local farmer for providing salads to complement our delicious, Baba Louie’s pizza.

The big riverfront concert is tomorrow, Saturday, with gazebo acts beginning at 5. And it's all FREE!

With gratitude…
We thank our wonderful performers Layale Chaker, Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne for their superb performance last night. We thank Assemblymember Didi Barret for speaking and advocating on our behalf and most-of-all, we thank the audience who bought tickets and supported the Hudson Festival Orchestra.
In two days, this Saturday, we will be at Hudson’s riverfront, presenting more than 70 musicians as well as our 55-piece orchestra in a FREE concert for the community. We hope to see you then!

With thanks to Steven Taylor for his superb photographs.

What could be more refreshing than a cup of ice cream while enjoying a concert? We invite you to come early to "Hudson in Concert" on Saturday, July 13th. Bring a picnic, or take advantage of the food trucks we've booked. And, of course, threat yourself to Culture Cream - delicious ice cream. Perfect for the evening. Also available: barbecue, hot dogs and Ukrainian foods from our friends at St. Michael's Church.

Free Riverfront Concert - 5PM - Sat. July 13th

Please support our efforts.

Make sure to encourage our young participants when the orchestra allows them to "Take a Seat..." alongside their mentors. We are extremely proud of these young people and their achievements. Participating in this concert on Saturday at the riverfront gives them experience in playing, listening and working with a large orchestra. It's one of the HFO's favorite programs.

FREE Riverfront Concert this Saturday beginning at 5.

Please donate to support us.

Today is our Benefit concert featuring three exceptional musicians. It takes place at the historic First Presbyterian Church and will bring together challical, jazz and culturally diverse musical styles (Sri Lankan, Lebanese, Syrian). We are extremely lucky to be able to present these artists. Not only can you hear exceptional music, but ticket sales help the HFO defray costs for our upcoming "Hudson in Concert" this Saturday. We hope you will support our efforts.

Benefit Concert - Jul 10th - 5PM - limited seating
Riverfront Concert - FREE - Saturday, Jul 13th

We want our community to have a wonderful evening on the riverfront July 13th. One way to make it even better is to share a meal. We’ve arranged for several food trucks to be on hand (and food tables, too.) Consider a dog – from Kurb Dog. Add mustard, relish and FUN! Hudson in Concert will be a great evening. It starts at 5.

Benefit Concert - Wed. July 10th - limited seating
Riverfront Concert - Sat. July 13th - FREE

Please DONATE to support our concerts.

Join us for an extraordinary evening with Grammy award winner Kinan Azmeh (clarinet), Dinuk Wijeratne (piano) and Layale Chaker (violin) as the three performers present original compositions inspired by a multitude of musical traditions. Azmeh played in Hudson last July at the riverfront and received a standing ovation for his remarkable performance. This promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the synergy of this cross-cultural ensemble. Go to our website for a teaser.

Wed. Jul. 10th - Benefit Concert - One night only. Seating is limited.
Sat. Jul 13th - Riverfront Concert

DONATE and lend your support.

Hudson's School system has a first-hand relationship with Syrian refugee children. And two of our three performers scheduled to participate in our July 10th benefit concert have a similar attachment. Help Syria's Kids, founded in Hudson, organized an extensive pen pal program with the refugees. (See what we mean by 'first-hand'?) And Layale Chaker and Kinan Azmeh, our musicians, have both played often for these same refugees. Join us at our Benefit and hear the international sounds - from Sri Lanka to Lebanese to Jazz - of these brilliant players.

Benefit Concert - July 10th - limited seating and one night only
Riverfront Concert - July 13th

Please support our events.

We encourage you to bring a picnic to "Hudson in concert". but we're not above arranging for a few food vendors if you don't want to lug anything down to the waterfront. Try a smoothie from the crew at Kite's Nest - powered by bike energy. Or a delicious slice from Mama Jean's. There will be Lebanese food, too - from Hamrah's. Popcorn? Snow cones? What could taste better while you're admiring the view?

Benefit Concert - one night only - Wed. July 1oth.
Riverfront Concert - Saturday, July 13th

Please donate if you can.

We are fortunate to live on the banks of the great Hudson River and Tristan Geary agrees. He will be performing "Questaterra" with his jazz trio - conducted by David Banoczi-Ruof, in a dedication to the river view. He says, "It is performed equally to the audience gathered at the riverfront, as it is to the river itself." It's an offering to a new-found home by the composer.

July 10th - Benefit Concert - one performance only
July 13th - Riverfront Concert

Please DONATE

There is a kind of music created by rubbing crystal bowls until they vibrate and create sound. In some cultures, these bowls are believed to promote a calm mind, their rich harmonics used to support healing of physical ailments and energetic imbalances. Hear Nea'/Sister RedHawk, an indigenous medicine woman of the Narragansett, Wampanoag and Shinnecock tribes as she brings these Crystal Singing Bowls to Hudson.

Benefit Concert on July 10th

Riverfront Concert on July 13th.

Help support these up-coming events.