(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra presents NBCO in Blue - Celebrating 100 Years of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Nicholas Music Center.  In collaboration with the New Brunswick Jazz Project, the NBCO presents a fusion of classical music and jazz.  Showtime is 7:30pm.

This collaboration with the New Brunswick Jazz Project highlights the music of remarkable classically-influenced jazz composers such as Gershwin, Corea, Williams, Ellington, and more. Our chamber orchestra will intertwine with members of the New Brunswick Jazz Project to perform a fabulous night of jazz. Works include: Spain by Chick Corea; Zodiac Suite by May Lou Williams; Fantasy for String Quart. by Ellington; and Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin.

Tickets are $25 for Adults; $20 for Seniors; and $15 for Students. Tickets are available for purchase online. Nicholas Music Center is located at 85 George Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

In order to present classical music in a different and exciting way that expands and explodes the conventions of the genre, The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra offers a new vision. It’s called "Reframing Classical Music." Their goal is to redefine the "norms" of classical chamber music. They begin by programming their concerts around a specific theme or idea.

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra performs music that matters, whether it was written in the Middle Ages or sometime next year, in the heart of Old Europe or the new conservatories of East Asia.

Since its founding a over half century ago, the group has evolved into a professional ensemble of 16 to 26 musicians that tackles some of the biggest assignments possible for chamber orchestras. Its repertoire runs the gamut from Handel’s “Messiah” and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” to John Adams' "Shaker Loops" or Mohammed Fairouz’ “Named Angels”.  Under the direction of their new Artistic Director, Dr. Julia Baumanis, the orchestra’s focus is on balance: presenting the full-spectrum of classical music from timeless masterworks to works by living composers, including commissions. In collaboration with the Composers Guild of New Jersey, they anticipate the world premiere of a major new work every year along with a smaller piece by an emerging composer.

The NBCO likes a challenge. It favors brilliant, exciting music that stretches performers and surprises audiences. In recent seasons the ensemble has tackled Sebastian Currier’s “Next Atlantis” for string orchestra and the recorded sounds of post-Katrina New Orleans, Arvo Pärt’s haunting “Fratres” and Astor Piazzola’s rollicking new classic “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”. Pieces that are vital and relevant that connect with their audience.