Empire State Youth Orchestra Playathon raises $160,000

Annual musical marathon at Crossgates Mall surpasses fundraising target

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Empire State Youth Orchestra held its annual Playathon fundraiser at Crossgates Mall in Albany, New York, with student musicians performing in a joyful musical marathon. The event exceeded its $150,000 goal, raising $160,000 to support the organization.

Why it matters

The Empire State Youth Orchestra's Playathon is a critical annual fundraiser that allows the organization to continue providing music education and performance opportunities for young musicians in the Albany region. The event's success demonstrates strong community support for the orchestra's mission.

The details

During the Playathon, Empire State Youth Orchestra students performed continuously throughout the day at Crossgates Mall to raise money for the organization. The targeted fundraising goal for this year's event was $150,000, which the orchestra was able to exceed by raising $160,000.

  • The 2026 Playathon took place on April 2, 2026.

The players

Empire State Youth Orchestra

A non-profit organization that provides music education and performance opportunities for young musicians in the Albany, New York region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The success of the Empire State Youth Orchestra's Playathon fundraiser demonstrates the strong community support for the organization's mission of nurturing the next generation of musicians in the Albany area.