- By Mabel Pais
Lend an ear to New Jersey Symphony’s performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Music Director Xian Zhang conducting. There are four performances in New Jersey locations, April 3-6, 2025 (see program below).
PROGRAM
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Xian Zhang
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Steven Banks saxophone
Felicia Moore soprano
Kelley O’Connor mezzo-soprano
Issachah Savage tenor
Reginald Smith Jr. baritone
Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
Newark – Thursday, April 3, 1:30 pm, NJPAC
Newark – Friday, April 4, 8 pm, NJPAC
Newark – Saturday, April 5, 8 pm, NJPAC
New Brunswick – Sunday, April 6, 3 pm, State Theatre New Jersey
Vocalists Felicia Moore, soprano; Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano; Issachah Savage, tenor; and Reginald Smith Jr., baritone; are set to join the Symphony stage for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 ‘Choral’ along with Montclair State University Chorale under the leadership of Director Heather J. Buchanan. Saxophonist Steven Banks will appear as a soloist in Billy Childs’ ‘Diaspora.’
Watch Heather J. Buchanan speak of Beethoven with her choir humming in the background – youtu.be/oAwSjM07tLg
Starting off the program is Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from ‘Eugene Onegin,’ the opener to the third act of his most famous opera and a concert hall staple. The first half closes with Billy Childs’ ‘Diaspora,’ where he relays the experience of Black America using three poems by Black poets as guideposts.
The second half features Beethoven’s Ninth, which changed symphonic music when it first premiered. In the Ninth Symphony’s finale, Beethoven used selections from Friedrich von Schiller’s poem ‘Ode to Joy’ (‘An die Freude’) and was the first composer to incorporate vocal soloists and a chorus into a symphony.
Pre-concert Classical Conversation – Thursday, April 3
A pre-concert Classical Conversation will take place on Thursday, April 3, at 12:30 pm at NJPAC in Newark. Concertgoers will be able to learn more about the music from Symphony musicians, guest artists, and other engaging insiders.
Next Gen Happy Hour – Saturday, April 5
Saturday, April 5, at 6 pm at Newark Local Beer in Newark
Join your fellow Next Gen members for a fun happy hour before the performance at Newark Local Beer, including free appetizers and a meet-and-greet with New Jersey Symphony musicians.
You can learn more about the New Jersey Symphony Next Gen program at njsymphony.org/nextgen.
RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/nj-symphony-next-gen-happy-hour-tickets-1284911287249
Pre-concert Performance – Sunday, April 6
A pre-concert performance by the Lieberson Quartet (part of the Symphony’s Youth Orchestra) will take place on Sunday, April 6, at 2 pm, at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.
TICKETS
For more information on concerts and tickets, visit njsymphony.org/events.
Xian Zhang
Learn more at xianzhangconductor.com.
Steven Banks
Learn more at steven-banks.com.
Felicia Moore
Learn more at feliciamoore.com.
Kelley O’Connor
Learn more at kelleyoconnor.com.
Issachah Savage
Learn more at issachahsavage.com.
Reginald Smith Jr.
Learn more at reginaldsmithjr.com.
Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, director
Learn more at montclair.edu/john-j-cali-school-of-music/msu-choral-program
and linkedin.com/in/heather-j-buchanan
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, Business and Cuisine)
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NJ SYMPHONY PERFORMS LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT – ‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’
- By Mabel Pais
New Jersey Symphony will present ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert’ brought to life by composer John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos, April 9, 10, 12, and 13 at New Jersey locations (see program below).
PROGRAM
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
Red Bank – Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts
Morristown – Thursday, April 10, 7:30 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center
Newark – Saturday, April 12, 8 pm, NJPAC
New Brunswick – Sunday, April 13, 3 pm, State Theatre New Jersey
For more information on concerts and tickets, visit njsymphony.org/events.
STORY
In ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert,’ the GRAMMY®-winning soundtrack by legendary composer John Williams will be performed along with the Oscar-nominated film to thrilling effect in a live concert experience.
Thirty years after the destruction of the second Death Star, the sinister First Order, commanded by the mysterious Snoke and apprentice Kylo Ren, rises from the ashes of the Empire. The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, attempts to thwart the First Order’s threat, but they’re desperate for help. Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, find themselves joining forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca in a perilous mission to return a BB-unit droid back to the Resistance with a map to Luke Skywalker.
Since the release of the first ‘Star Wars’ movie over 45 years ago, the ‘Star Wars’ saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.
Constantine Kitsopoulos
Learn more at maestrock.com.
New Jersey Symphony
New Jersey Symphony is a GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning orchestra. Under the direction of the Music Director Xian Zhang, the Symphony performs more than 55 concerts at mainstage venues across the state, including Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Morristown as well as schools and public spaces statewide.
Programming at the Symphony reflects an unwavering commitment to diverse communities throughout the state, while providing students unparalleled opportunities to achieve musical excellence through its Youth Orchestra and other education programs. Learn more at njsymphony.org.
Connect with NJ Symphony
Follow NJ Symphony on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, Business and Cuisine)