(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
Under the musical direction of Conductor Nate White, Essex County Summer Players Orchestra members are experiencing the communal joy of creating live music in preparation for their 25th annual concert. This free concert, scheduled Sunday, August 2, 2026 in the Livingston High School auditorium, includes John Williams’ magical and moving “Theme from Jurassic Park,” and Ferde Grofe’s “Mississippi Suite,” a musical boat journey from the quiet streams of Minnesota to the Mardis Gras atmosphere of New Orleans. Also featured is what is considered the most popular American Symphony of all times, William Grant Still’s blues infused “Afro-American Symphony,” and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s orchestral suite “Symphonic Dances,” his poignant final major work written during his decades long American residency. Showtime is 3:00pm.
The orchestra looks forward to sharing an engaging afternoon full of rich melodies, unique instrumental colors and deep emotion on the first Sunday afternoon in August for “Made in America” in the Livingston High School Auditorium (30 Robert Harp Drive) in Livingston, New Jersey.
When most orchestras are taking a summer break, the Essex County Summer Players Orchestra fills the gap for both players and audience. Founded in 2001, they are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing opportunities for substantive music making during the summer months. Participants include a wide range of ages and abilities. Averaging 60 volunteer members, the orchestra rehearses from late June through July at Livingston High School. A concert, free of charge to the public, follows at the end of season, generally on a Sunday afternoon in early August.
