• By Mabel Pais

Wharton Arts, New Jersey’s largest not-for-profit community performing arts education organization, will present several free concerts during the 2024-25 season at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 587 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey.

Wharton Arts Artistic Director, Helen Cha-Pyo said, “We are excited to partner with Saint John’s Lutheran Church and music director Christopher Harlow-Jennings for our ‘Wharton Arts in the Community’ series. From the fun, interactive Halloween Hoopla to uplifting Jazz Vespers and world-class performances, this series offers something for everyone. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the Summit community and make music accessible to all.”

“I am thrilled to partner with Artistic Director Helen Cha-Pyo and her team at Wharton Arts this season to bring exciting new musical offerings to the greater Summit community,” said Saint John’s Lutheran Church Director of Music Christopher Harlow-Jennings. “This unique collaboration builds on our respective institutions’ strong musical foundations and opens the door for creative, diverse programming to engage listeners of all ages.”

Halloween Hoopla & Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

This spooktacular family-friendly event will include fun and interactive Halloween sing-along songs and stories led by members of the New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) followed by a Trunk-or-Treat. Be sure to wear your costume, bring your trunk-or-treating bag, and join in having a haunting good time!

Wharton Arts Chamber Music Concert

Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy a showcase of talented young chamber musicians from Wharton Arts.

Piano & Cello Faculty Recital

Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Lucas Button, cello Leah Frank, piano

Allow yourself to be transported by the sound and expression of this inspiring duo praised for their musical sensitivity and passionate artistry.

Jazz Vespers

March 23, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Lance Bryant Trio and the Saint John’s Choir

An inclusive experience of Lenten words and music, both modern and ancient, featuring the Lance Bryant Jazz Trio.

For more information, call (908) 790-0700 or visit WhartonArts.org

Wharton Arts Programs

Alongside these engaging events, Wharton Arts aims to create meaningful connections and foster creativity in young people, as well as across generations, ensuring that everyone has access to an outstanding music and theater arts education. The depth and breadth of offerings, unmatched in the Garden State, transcends backgrounds and beliefs. Wharton Arts encompasses four distinct programs, each founded to advance music and performing arts education and engagement: the New Jersey Youth Chorus, New Jersey Youth Symphony, Paterson Music Project, and Performing Arts School. Join Wharton Arts this Season of Joy for life-changing performing arts experiences.

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NJYS CONCERT HONORS AMERICA’S VETERANS

• By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Youth Symphony’s (NJYS) 200 youth will present a concert ‘Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue!’ to honor America’s veterans and armed forces on Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial (1 Memorial Drive Trenton, NJ 08608. Phone: 609-984-8484) in Trenton.

Audiences are invited to enjoy a heartfelt homage to the brave men and women who have served our country featuring the New Jersey premiere of Peter Boyer’s ‘Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue’ with acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Biegel commissioned Boyer to compose the piece to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the premiere of George Gershwin’s iconic ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and gave its first performance in June 2023 with the Utah Symphony. Biegel later recorded the work for the Naxos (naxos.com) label with the London Symphony Orchestra and Boyer conducting. To support American orchestras post-pandemic, Biegel developed the Rhapsody National Initiative, which entails performances of ‘Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue’ with at least one orchestra in all 50 states over the course of three years at no cost to the orchestras that participate. NJYS is honored to be one of three youth orchestras participating in the initiative and presenting the New Jersey premiere of this historic work.

Said Biegel, “I created the 50 states Rhapsody National Initiative as the first commissioning project not requiring orchestras to pay toward the composer’s fee, and to bring orchestras in all 50 states to the initiative celebrating orchestras and music in America. Peter Boyer’s ‘Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue’ is a fabulous work reflecting the American flag, and music since the time of George Gershwin’s 1924 ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ for whose centennial the new Rhapsody celebrates. The New Jersey Youth Symphony represents the state of New Jersey and the vibrant young musicians taking part in this unprecedented national endeavor.”

“At this Veterans Day concert, we proudly continue our tradition of performing works by American composers to honor those who have served. It is both exciting and historic for our young musicians to present the New Jersey premiere of Peter Boyer’s ‘Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue’ with Jeffrey Biegel,” said Helen Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. “Projects like this bring generations together, uniting people through the creation of new works that celebrate the present and inspire the future of America.” 

Two ensembles from the New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) will also take the stage at the Patriots Theater in a stirring selection of patriotic music celebrating the spirit of freedom. In addition to the New Jersey premiere of Boyer’s work, the concert will feature American favorites, including ‘Candide Overture’ and music from ‘West Side Story’ by Leonard Bernstein as well as ‘Three Spirituals’ by the prolific African American composer, Adolphus Hailstork. Not-to-be-missed are performances of ‘America the Beautiful,’ ‘Armed Forces Salute,’ and more!

TICKETS

Veterans are invited to attend the concert for FREE by using discount code VETERAN. For Tickets and more information visit NJYS.org

Wharton Arts

Learn more at WhartonArts.org

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