CLEVELAND, Ohio -- To mark the holiday season and raise funds for the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Cleveland rock legend Michael Stanley has teamed up with the group for a new recording of his song “Another New Year’s Eve.”
The song appeared on Stanley’s 2012 solo album “The Hang,” and it was cowritten with Stanley’s bandmate Bob Pelander. Now, the track will get a new, orchestral treatment with 70 orchestra members recording individually from home, combined in one video presentation with Stanley, according to a press release.
The song performance will premiere at 8 p.m. on Dec. 11, on CYO’s YouTube page, with a donation link to support the organization.
“CYO is an amazing organization, providing a unique opportunity for students in [Northeast Ohio] to perform at a very high-level, often with other professional musicians,” Stanley said in a press release. “Since the COVID situation made it impossible for us to even consider a collaborative performance together as part of their annual fundraising concert, I was delighted to work with the students on this socially-distanced recording of one of my favorite songs written with my longtime friend and bandmate Bob Pelander.”
Funds raised from viewer donations will directly go to CYO, a Cleveland-based performing arts and education group that has served students from Northeast Ohio schools since 1995.
According to CYO Executive Director Kimberly Deichler, CYO offers scholarships to assist students who need help with orchestra fees, and no students who pass the CYO audition stage are turned away if they’re unable to pay.
In past years, musicians like Jason Mraz, STYX’s Tommy Shaw and Melissa Etheridge all participated as fundraising guest stars for CYO. This is the first time the celebrity collaboration will be presented purely virtually -- and just in time for the festive season.
“‘Another New Year’s Eve,’ from the album ‘The Hang,’ is the perfect choice for the 2020 holiday season,” said Barry Gabel, CYO Board Member and Live Nation Cleveland executive, in a press release. “It expresses hope and new beginnings at a time when we all need a reminder that we’ll get through this difficult time by focusing on the good we can do by simply caring for each other.”
You can find more information about CYO and how to donate at cyorchestra.org.