NJSO presents summer concerts at venues statewide
June and July in communities across New Jersey
- Free parks programs feature music from blockbuster films like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast and more, alongside classical favorites
- NJSO presents new works by exciting young composers at NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute in Princeton
NEWARK, NJ (May 18, 2016)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform free concerts in parks throughout New Jersey in June and July, bringing a family-friendly program featuring blockbuster film themes and classical favorites to six outdoor venues from Bergen County to West Windsor. The NJSO performs free concerts at Overpeck County Park in Bergen County, Echo Lake Park in Union County, Branch Brook Park in Newark, Flood’s Hill in Meadowland Park in South Orange, Pier A Park in Hoboken and Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
Rounding out its summer schedule, the Orchestra also will appear at the Giralda Farms outdoor festival in Madison and present a program of new music by the composers of the 2016 NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute in Princeton.
FREE SUMMER PARKS PROGRAMS
Relax with friends and family and enjoy an evening under the stars with the NJSO at one of several outdoor settings across the state. The outdoor programs feature music from blockbuster films as Ghostbusters, Star Wars, The Godfather: Part III, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Moulin Rouge, The King’s Speech and more. The concerts also feature classical favorites by Mozart, Beethoven and Rossini, as well as patriotic themes.
NJSO Associate Conductor Gemma New conducts the summer parks concerts, which are an annual tradition that reflects the Orchestra’s commitment to bringing live symphonic music to communities throughout the state.
New says: “The NJSO’s summer concerts are always a highlight of the year for the Orchestra—the energy that comes from seeing big crowds of all ages enjoying great music in these wonderful outdoor settings is amazing. This year’s program has exciting movie themes the whole family will love, and we are looking forward to sharing some fun evenings with audiences across the state!”
Free concerts take place on the following dates:
- Thursday, June 23, at Overpeck County Park in Bergen County (8 pm)
- Friday, June 24, at Echo Lake Park in Union County (7:30 pm)
- Tuesday, June 28, at Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark (7:30 pm)—with fireworks
- Wednesday, June 29, at Flood’s Hill in Meadowland Park in South Orange (7:30 pm)
- Thursday, June 30, at Pier A Park in Hoboken (7:30 pm)
- Saturday, July 2, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor (8 pm)—with fireworks
This year marks the Orchestra’s debut at Flood’s Hill in Meadowland Park and its first appearance at Echo Lake Park since 2008.
GIRALDA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Presented by Morris Arts
The NJSO performs at the Giralda Music and Arts Festival in Madison on Sunday, June 26, at 6 pm. NJSO Associate Conductor Gemma New leads the parks program. Gates open at 4 pm for picnics and activities, including an art show/sale and children’s book readings and signings. Prizes will be awarded for the most inventive picnics; a 50/50 raffle supports Morris Arts’ scholarship program.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate; children’s rates are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.morrisarts.org/events/giralda or call 973.285.5115.
SCORES: NEW ORCHESTRAL WORKS
NJSO EDWARD T. CONE COMPOSITION INSTITUTE
The NJSO presents Scores: New Orchestral Works—the third annual NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute concert—on July 16 at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton. Conductor David Robertson leads a concert of new works by Institute composers James Anderson, Matthew Browne, Will Stackpole and Jung Yoon Wie; the program also includes Institute Director Steven Mackey’s Turn the Key.
The Institute is a multi-faceted program that promotes new music and emerging composers, presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Music and generously funded in part by the Edward T. Cone Foundation and Princeton University. At the six-day Institute, to be held July 11–16 at Princeton University, the composers will participate in masterclasses with Mackey, have their work rehearsed and performed by the NJSO and receive feedback from Robertson and NJSO musicians. The Institute will also provide career-enriching sessions with music-industry leaders, including Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., New Music USA, Subito Music Corporation and WQXR’s online new-music station Q2 Music, as well as executive speech coach, author and Inc.com columnist Sims Wyeth.
General-admission concert tickets for Scores are $15 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org/scores or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
Additional information about the Institute is available at www.njsymphony.org/institute.
Full event details for the NJSO’s slate of summer concerts are available at www.njsymphony.org/summer.
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NJSO SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE
Media Partner: NJ.com affiliated with The Star-Ledger
NJSO AT OVERPECK COUNTY PARK IN BERGEN COUNTY (FREE CONCERT)
Thursday, June 23, at 8 pm
199 Challenger Rd., Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Rain site: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 E Clinton Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
This event is sponsored by Delta Dental and Hackensack Medical Health Network.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-overpeck-county-park-2016
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NJSO AT ECHO LAKE PARK IN UNION COUNTY (FREE CONCERT)
Friday, June 24, at 7:30 pm
Park Dr., Mountainside, NJ 07092
Union County Get Fit Yoga program begins at 6:30 pm. Bring a mat or beach towel and enjoy healthy activities for the entire family.
This event is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-echo-lake-park-in-union-county
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GIRALDA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 26, at 6 pm
Giralda Farms in Madison
Madison Ave. at Dodge Dr., Madison, NJ 07940
Rain site: Mennen Arena, 161 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
This concert is presented by Morris Arts.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/giralda-music-and-arts-festival-in-madison-2016
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NJSO AT ESSEX COUNTY BRANCH BROOK PARK IN NEWARK (FREE CONCERT WITH FIREWORKS)
Tuesday, June 28, at 7:30 pm
Christopher Columbus Dr., Newark, NJ 07102
Fireworks follow the concert.
Rain site: Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St, Newark, NJ 07104—adjacent to Branch Brook Park.
This event is presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the County of Essex and is part of the 2016 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series. This program is proudly part of the Newark Celebration 350. Newark Celebration 350 commemorates Newark’s rich 350-year history by celebrating the talents of its citizenry and its remarkable achievements.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-branch-brook-park-in-newark-2016
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NJSO AT FLOOD’S HILL IN MEADOWLAND PARK IN SOUTH ORANGE (FREE CONCERT)
Wednesday, June 29, at 7:30 pm
70 N. Ridgewood Rd., South Orange, NJ 07079
Rain site: South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079
This event is sponsored by JESPY/Judi House and The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-floods-hill-at-meadowland-park-in-south-orange-2016
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NJSO AT PIER A PARK IN HOBOKEN (FREE CONCERT)
Thursday, June 30, at 7:30 pm
100 Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, NJ 07030
Rain site: Hoboken High School, 800 Clinton St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
This event is presented by Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the City of Hoboken.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-pier-a-park-in-hoboken-2016
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NJSO AT MERCER COUNTY PARK IN WEST WINDSOR (FREE CONCERT WITH FIREWORKS)
Saturday, July 2, at 8 pm
334 S. Post Rd., West Windsor Twp., NJ 08550
Fireworks follow the concert.
Rain site: Mercer County Park Skating Center, located adjacent to the park’s Festival Grounds.
This event is sponsored by Bloomberg.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/njso-at-mercer-county-park-in-west-windsor-2016
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SCORES: NEW ORCHESTRAL WORKS
NJSO EDWARD T. CONE COMPOSITION INSTITUTE CONCERT
Saturday, July 16, at 8 pm
Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
61 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08540
General-admission tickets are $15 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
Major underwriting support for the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute is generously provided by the Edward T. Cone Foundation and Princeton University.
www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/scores-new-orchestral-works
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.
Under the bold leadership of Music Director Jacques Lacombe, the NJSO presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and regularly performs at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and bergenPAC in Englewood. Partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestra’s statewide identity.
In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music. Programs include school-time Concerts for Young People performances and multiple offerings—including the NJSO Youth Orchestras family of student ensembles and El Sistema-inspired NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project)—that provide and promote instrumental instruction as part of the NJSO Academy. The NJSO’s REACH (Resources for Education and Community Harmony) chamber music program annually brings original programs—designed and performed by NJSO musicians—to a variety of settings, reaching as many as 17,000 people in nearly all of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
For more information about the NJSO, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra’s website.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.
PRESS CONTACT
National & NYC Press Representative:
Dan Dutcher, Dan Dutcher Public Relations | 917.566.8413 | dan@dandutcherpr.com
Regional Press Representative:
Victoria McCabe, NJSO Communications and External Affairs | 973.735.1715 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org
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