LIYONSCRYPT is a musical cryptogram written as a signature work for the Long Island Youth Orchestra. The youth orchestra suspended its pre-60th anniversary season due to COVID19 shutdowns. It was the first major ensemble I had devoted my arts administration career to that was shuttered by the virus. Nassau & Suffolk Counties were the hardest hit in New York City early on during the spread of the novel coronavirus; as such, many arts organizations ceased operations due to restrictions on large gatherings.

Using video conferencing technologies, LIYO's young artists were able to continue meeting to produce a music video to end its season. They brought me to tears with this rendition of Lean On Mahler, a commission of "Lean on Me" interspersed with variations on symphonies by renown composer/conductor Gustav Mahler.

Please support them by watching their "Lean on Mahler" video linked below and making a 60th anniversary donation at liyo.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EsG-vW4Gj4

About the title: LIYONSCRYPT is a play on the phrase "Lion's Crypt" (as in a crypt of the dead), an acronym for Long Island Youth Orchestra of Nassau Suffolk Counties neologized with "Cryptogram"; better phrased "Cryptogram for the Long Island Youth Orchestra of Nassau-Suffolk Counties."