(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Zimmerli Art Museum on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:00pm. The program will honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The program highlights events during Washington's retreat from Fort Lee though New Jersey including a critical defense in New Brunswick not far from the current location of the the Zimmerli Art Museum. Between the music performances, Revolutionary War historian Arthur Lefkowitz will describe the events that took place during this Tring time for Washington's forces.
The musical program features "Six String Quartets" by prominent British composer Willaim Shield, an example of music that would have been admired during the Revolutionary War on both sides of the Atlantic. Other pieces reflect the sounds and traditions of the Revolutionary War period.
A highlight of this Salon is a new work especially commissioned for this Salon in collaboration with the Composers Guild of New Jersey. Written by New Jersey composer, David Rimelis, it is inspired by Thomas Paine's "The Crisis." First read to troops in New Jersey, it served as a major inspiration during the war with its the opening sentence adopted as the watchword of the movement to Trenton ("These are the times that try men's souls.") .
The program also includes "String Quartet No. 1" by Charles Ives, one that weaves hymns in and out of fugues and meditations using the boisterous compositional techniques characteristic of Ives. John Cage's "44 Harmonies from Apartment House 1776 is also based on traditional hymns and psalms that were sung in the colonial apartment during the time of the American Revolution. And "Amazing Grace" as arranged by Grammy Award winning composer, Jennifer Higdon, is particularly moving.
Seating is limited, please RSVP online in advance. The event is free, but there is a small reservation fee to insure a seat at these popular Zimmerli Salons. Zimmerli Art Museum is located at 71 Hamilton Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
This program was funded in part by a special Revolutionary War Grant from Arts Institute of Middlesex County.
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 our 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.
