Blab Music
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra Announces 107th Season Gala Honoring Community Leaders
When the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra turns 107, it will raise the curtain on a gala that honors local champions of service and culture. The event, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7 p.m., will take place inside the historic Plainfield Country Club on 1591 Woodland Avenue in Edison, New Jersey.
The evening’s focus is a tribute to four pillars of Plainfield’s civic life: Mrs. Pat Van Slyke, the late Lt. Tony Contreras, Dr. Patricia Campos‑Medina, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Each has devoted decades to public service, community enrichment, or advocacy that has left a lasting imprint on the city and the wider region.
Beyond the celebration, the gala serves a vital fundraising role. Proceeds will be directed toward the orchestra’s annual concert season, a free family concert each year, scholarship awards for local student musicians, and outreach programs that bring orchestral music to schools and community groups. “For more than a century, the Plainfield Symphony has enriched our community through the power of music,” said Board President Mark Miller, underscoring the organization’s mission to keep classical and popular works accessible to all.
Founded in 1919 by a cadre of amateur musicians, the Plainfield Symphony is New Jersey’s oldest community symphony and the second‑oldest continuously operating community symphony in the United States. Its entire operation depends on volunteers—from board members to concert staff—who collaborate to deliver a season that blends classical masterworks, pops performances, family programming, and guest‑artist collaborations.
The honorees each embody a distinct facet of civic engagement. Mrs. Van Slyke and Lt. Contreras are celebrated for their long‑standing community outreach and steadfast support of the arts. Dr. Campos‑Medina is recognized for her national advocacy work, educational initiatives, and efforts to empower workers and immigrant communities. Congresswoman Coleman, representing the state’s 12th district since 2015, is honored for her public service and advocacy on behalf of Plainfield residents.
Tickets are priced at $225 per person, with sponsorship opportunities and group packages available for those who wish to support the orchestra’s mission. Attendees are encouraged to dress semi‑formal, with black‑tie optional. The program will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of the orchestra’s volunteer‑driven culture.
The 107th season will continue the tradition of free family concerts, ensuring that cost never stands in the way of experiencing live orchestral music. The orchestra’s scholarship program annually awards local student musicians, while its educational outreach extends to schools throughout the region, providing lessons, workshops, and performance opportunities.
By gathering community leaders, elected officials, business owners, arts supporters, and residents, the gala will underscore the Plainfield Symphony’s role as a cultural anchor in the city and highlight the broader impact of volunteer‑based arts organizations across New Jersey. The event will not only celebrate the past 107 years of musical excellence but also secure the resources needed to sustain the orchestra’s programs for future generations.
For more information, tickets, or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.plainfieldsymphony.org.
The evening’s focus is a tribute to four pillars of Plainfield’s civic life: Mrs. Pat Van Slyke, the late Lt. Tony Contreras, Dr. Patricia Campos‑Medina, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Each has devoted decades to public service, community enrichment, or advocacy that has left a lasting imprint on the city and the wider region.
Beyond the celebration, the gala serves a vital fundraising role. Proceeds will be directed toward the orchestra’s annual concert season, a free family concert each year, scholarship awards for local student musicians, and outreach programs that bring orchestral music to schools and community groups. “For more than a century, the Plainfield Symphony has enriched our community through the power of music,” said Board President Mark Miller, underscoring the organization’s mission to keep classical and popular works accessible to all.
Founded in 1919 by a cadre of amateur musicians, the Plainfield Symphony is New Jersey’s oldest community symphony and the second‑oldest continuously operating community symphony in the United States. Its entire operation depends on volunteers—from board members to concert staff—who collaborate to deliver a season that blends classical masterworks, pops performances, family programming, and guest‑artist collaborations.
The honorees each embody a distinct facet of civic engagement. Mrs. Van Slyke and Lt. Contreras are celebrated for their long‑standing community outreach and steadfast support of the arts. Dr. Campos‑Medina is recognized for her national advocacy work, educational initiatives, and efforts to empower workers and immigrant communities. Congresswoman Coleman, representing the state’s 12th district since 2015, is honored for her public service and advocacy on behalf of Plainfield residents.
Tickets are priced at $225 per person, with sponsorship opportunities and group packages available for those who wish to support the orchestra’s mission. Attendees are encouraged to dress semi‑formal, with black‑tie optional. The program will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of the orchestra’s volunteer‑driven culture.
The 107th season will continue the tradition of free family concerts, ensuring that cost never stands in the way of experiencing live orchestral music. The orchestra’s scholarship program annually awards local student musicians, while its educational outreach extends to schools throughout the region, providing lessons, workshops, and performance opportunities.
By gathering community leaders, elected officials, business owners, arts supporters, and residents, the gala will underscore the Plainfield Symphony’s role as a cultural anchor in the city and highlight the broader impact of volunteer‑based arts organizations across New Jersey. The event will not only celebrate the past 107 years of musical excellence but also secure the resources needed to sustain the orchestra’s programs for future generations.
For more information, tickets, or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.plainfieldsymphony.org.
