(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents an in-person outdoor chamber music series in The Newark Museum of Art’s Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden this summer. In nine performances from June through August, the NJSO Chamber Players perform a three-concert series curated by Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain, a three-concert series curated by Concertmaster Eric Wyrick and a three-concert family series for music lovers of all ages.
Roumain curates “NJSO & DBR: Now, New and Next,” a series that looks towards a more inclusive and innovative future, with performances on June 9, June 16 and August 11 at 7:00pm. His programs will feature impactful new works from compelling new voices—including Gabriela Lena Frank, Roumain and New Jersey’s Allison Loggins-Hill—alongside underrepresented voices from the past and classics of the chamber music repertoire. These immersive experiences will include special collaborations with dancers, actors and guest artists.
Wyrick leads the Chamber Players for three performances that highlight both unsung composers and classical favorites. The first program (June 23) features Florence Price’s Five Folksongs in Counterpoint and Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E-flat Major. The July 7 program features Coleridge-Taylor’s Clarinet Quartet in F-Sharp Minor and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E-flat Major. On July 21, the Chamber Players perform Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major and a selection of wind serenades. All programs begin at 7:00pm.
The three-concert family series features a musical trip around the world (June 26), Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf (July 31) and a storytelling program (August 14). Concerts for this Saturday series begin at 10:00am.
NJSO President & CEO Gabriel van Aalst says: “I am incredibly excited for this partnership with our friends at The Newark Museum of Art. This is such a joyful moment for our NJSO community—we are thrilled to begin to perform for our audiences in person again, and we are eager to experience Daniel’s first programs in his new role at the NJSO. Daniel and Eric have wonderful, diverse programs in store, and the family concerts will be delightful for all.”
The Newark Museum of Art Director & CEO Linda C. Harrison says: “The sounds of live chamber music in our beautiful Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden will make this an incredibly special series as we welcome audiences back to the museum. We are proud to partner with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for these events.”
Health and safety procedures will include seating with chairs set six feet apart; masking for audiences, staff, volunteers and contractors; and temperature checks. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For more information, visit njsymphony.org/museum.
The PSEG Foundation generously sponsors the performances on June 23, July 7 and July 21. Bank of America is proud to support the NJSO Resident Artistic Catalyst.
Arts in the Garden: With the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, in collaboration with The Newark Museum of Art
Togetherness with DBR Wed, June 9, at 7:00pm
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator
Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain takes audiences on a journey through classical music’s past, present and future, juxtaposing works by Bach, Brahms and Florence Price with compelling new voices including Gabriela Lena Frank, Roumain and NJ’s own Allison Loggins-Hill. Special collaborations with dancers, actors and guest artists are part of these immersive experiences. Join us as we come together in community and imagine a brighter, more inclusive and innovative future.
Hearing and Healing with DBR Wed, June 16, at 7:00pm
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator
Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain takes audiences on a journey through classical music’s past, present and future, juxtaposing works by Bach, Brahms and Florence Price with compelling new voices including Gabriela Lena Frank, Roumain and NJ’s own Allison Loggins-Hill. Special collaborations with dancers, actors and guest artists are part of these immersive experiences. Join us as we come together in community and imagine a brighter, more inclusive and innovative future.
Price & Mendelssohn Wed, June 23, at 7:00pm
ERIC WYRICK violin & curator
PRICE Five Folksongs in Counterpoint
MENDELSSOHN String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
All Around the World – Family Program Sat, June 26, at 10:00am
Take a musical trip across the globe in this family-friendly concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players. Bring your families for this joyous music from across the world!
Mendelssohn & Coleridge-Taylor Wed, July 7, at 7:00pm
ERIC WYRICK violin & curator
MENDELSSOHN String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 12
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Clarinet Quartet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 10
Beethoven & Wind Serenades Wed, July 21, at 7:00pm
ERIC WYRICK violin & curator
BEETHOVEN Septet in E-flat Major
VARIOUS Wind Serenades
Peter and the Wolf – Family Program Sat, July 31, at 10:00am
Experience Prokofiev’s classic tale about an adventurous boy and a hapless wolf. Instruments portray the duck, bird, cat, wolf, hunters, Peter and his Grandfather, making this a wonderful introduction to the orchestra, as well as a charming story.
NJSO Storytime – Family Program Sat, Aug 14, at 10:00am
Bring your family as New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players tell stories through the sound of music.
Who We Are with DBR Wed, Aug 11, at 7:00pm
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator
Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain takes audiences on a journey through classical music’s past, present and future, juxtaposing works by Bach, Brahms and Florence Price with compelling new voices including Gabriela Lena Frank, Roumain and NJ’s own Allison Loggins-Hill. Special collaborations with dancers, actors and guest artists are part of these immersive experiences. Join us as we come together in community and imagine a brighter, more inclusive and innovative future.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra connects with the people and diverse communities of New Jersey through the power of live symphonic music to inspire, entertain and educate. Internationally renowned Music Director Xian Zhang has garnered critical acclaim on the podium and has deepened the NJSO’s commitment to presenting diverse voices that reflect the communities the Orchestra serves.
The NJSO embraces its legacy as a statewide orchestra through mainstage and chamber performances at venues across New Jersey, as well as partnerships with fellow Garden State arts organizations, universities and civic organizations. The Orchestra’s education and community engagement programs promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NJSO has made virtual performances and educational online programs available for free, reaching more than 10 million people across the Orchestra’s digital channels. NJSO Concert Films pair world-class NJSO performances with stunning imagery of the people and cityscapes of New Jersey. The NJSO has presented innovative programs with fellow arts organizations, community ensembles and statewide partners. Musicians perform solo and chamber works from iconic New Jersey locations in NJSO Everywhere. NJSO at Home spotlights intimate at-home performances, instrument demonstrations, educational videos and hours of concert recordings.
The NJSO Youth Orchestras have not only continued virtual instruction but have introduced an entirely new dimension to the program. Students are working together on a yearlong creative composition project—a uniquely engaging opportunity for students to explore their own musical voices and shape new works that draw from all the genres that inspire them.
The Orchestra’s online hub for free musical content is njsymphony.org/virtual.
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.
Founded in 1909, The Newark Museum of Art is the largest art and education institution in New Jersey and one of the most influential museums in the United States. Its renowned global art collections, supported by significant holdings of science, technology and natural history, rank 12th among North America’s art museums. The Museum is dedicated to artistic excellence, education and community engagement with an overarching commitment to broadening and diversifying arts participation. As it has for over a century, the Museum responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse audiences it serves by providing exhibitions, programming and resources designed to improve and enrich people’s lives.
The Museum also encompasses the Victoria Hall of Science, Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, the MakerSPACE, the Billy Johnson Auditorium, the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden, an authentic 1784 Schoolhouse and the Newark Fire Museum.
The Newark Museum of Art, a not-for-profit museum of art and science, receives operating support from the City of Newark, the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State (a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts), the New Jersey Cultural Trust, the Prudential Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, the Estate of Phyllis and Sanford Bolton, the Wallace Foundation and other corporations, foundations and individuals. Funds for acquisitions and activities other than operations are provided by members and other contributors.
Photo by Tristan Cook
