By Mabel Pais

Virtual, June 13–18

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) celebrates a weeklong Pride Month, June 13–18. The celebration features works by LGBTQ+ composers, an interview with Laura Kaminsky about her chamber opera “As One,” a performance of Rent’s “I’ll Cover You” in collaboration with Paper Mill Playhouse and a free Zoom event presented in partnership with SAGE, a national advocacy and services organization for LGBT elders. Harmonica Sunbeam, renowned for her Hudson County non-profit Drag Queen Story Hour, hosts the celebration.

For more information, visit njsymphony.org/pride

PROGRAM

NJSO PRIDE CELEBRATION

HARMONICA SUNBEAM – host

Sun, June 13, at 5 pm

NJSO Family Members

“What Pride Means to Me”

Mon, June 14, at 5 pm

Composer-in-Conversation

NJSO flutist and piccolo player Kathleen Nester talks with her friend and neighbor, composer Laura Kaminsky, about her pathbreaking opera exploring a gender transition, “As One.”

Tue, June 15, at 5 pm

NJSO Chamber Players Performance

TCHAIKOVSKY Andante cantabile

Bart Feller, flute

James Tsao, violin

David Blinn, viola

Sarah Seiver, cello

Wed, June 16, at 5 pm

NJSO Chamber Players Performance

JENNIFER HIGDON “A Gentle Notion”

Pascal Archer, clarinet

Spencer Meyer, piano

Thu, June 17, at 7 pm

NJSO Pride Celebration: A Conversation

Free Zoom Event

Join NJSO President & CEO Gabriel van Aalst, Edie Windsor SAGE Center Arts & Culture Program Coordinator Christian Appel and NJSO violist David Blinn for a lively conversation and insight into the NJSO’s Pride celebrations, followed by musical performances featuring notable LGBTQ+ composers and artists. Register at njsymphony.org/pride.

Fri, June 18, at 5 pm

Collaboration with Paper Mill Playhouse

LARSON/arr. Robert Wagner “I’ll Cover You” from “Rent”

Kyle Taylor Parker, vocalist

Jay Donnell, vocalist

Héctor Falcón, violin

Ted Ackerman, cello

Alexander Bickard, electric bass

Pascal Archer, clarinet

James Musto, drums

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

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.

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. The Orchestra’s online hub for free musical content is njsymphony.org/virtual.

Connect with NJSO:

Website: njsymphony.org

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NJSymphony

YouTube: @NewJerseySymphony

Email: information@njsymphony.org

SAGE

SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers. Learn more about SAGE advocacy and its affiliates at sageusa.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Managing Director). A beloved NJ arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s “Newsies,” “Les Misérables,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “A Bronx Tale” and “Bandstand.” Learn more at papermill.org.

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NJSO with NEWARK MUSEUM RESTORES IN-PERSON CONCERTS

By Mabel Pais

“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.” – Gabriel van Aalst, NJSO President & CEO

“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.” — Linda C. Harrison, The Newark Museum of Art Director & CEO

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) welcomes in-person outdoor chamber music series in The Newark Museum of Art’s (newarkmuseumart.org) 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 (DBR), a three-concert series curated by Concertmaster Eric Wyrick and a three-concert family series for music lovers of all ages.

DB 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 pm. His programs will feature impactful new works from compelling new voices — including Gabriela Lena Frank, Roumain and New Jersey’s Allison Loggins-Hill — alongside under-represented 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 on June 23, July 7 and July 21.

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 am.

TICKETS, SAFETY

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.

PROGRAM: ARTS IN THE GARDEN

With the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, in collaboration with The Newark Museum of Art

DBR CURATIONS

Togetherness with DBR

Wed, June 9, at 7 pm

DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator

Hearing and Healing with DBR

Wed, June 16, at 7 pm

DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator

Who We Are with DBR

Wed, Aug 11, at 7 pm

DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN curator

In each curation, 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 and imagine a brighter, more inclusive and innovative future.

Program Information on the second three-concert series: June 23, July 7 and July 21 and the third three-concert family series: June 26, July 31 and August 14, will appear in a subsequent issue.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO)

To learn about NJSO, visit njsymphony.org

The Newark Museum of Art

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.  To learn more, visit newarkmuseumart.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)