Water Music New york: More Voices

The expansive three-year Water Music NY: More Voices Festival (WMNY:MV) is a multi-arts creative placemaking initiative to commemorate the Bicentennial of the completion of the Erie Canal, in partnership with New York State Canal Corporation. The project fuses arts, cultural heritage, and contemporary issues to re-envision the past, present, and future of people and communities bordering the historic waterway in collaborations with composers, local artists, cultural and educational institutions, and community members. Through WMNY:MV, the Albany Symphony is creating new artistic, recreational, cultural, and economic opportunities for canal communities with the belief that music and art will spark dialogue and expand perspectives to help reimagine the Erie Canal as it begins its third century.

The project builds upon the success of the Albany Symphony’s original 2017 Water Music NY Festival, and opens up new chapters in canal and New York State history, exploring underrepresented voices, including those of women, immigrants, people of color, indigenous peoples, and the elusive voice of nature itself, to commemorate the bicentennial of the completion of the Erie Canal.

Read more about the canal’s history and bicentennial at New York State Canals.

2026 Water Music New York: More Voices

1. Waterford (July 10) — Celka Ojakangas world premiere at Lock E-2

2. Rome (July 11) — Jack Frerer world premiere at Bellamy Harbor Park

3. The Tonawandas (August 15)​ — Hannah Ishizaki world premiere at Gateway Harbor Park

Please check back for more details to be announced.