Blab Music
New Jersey Festival Orchestra Unveils 2026-27 Season Celebrating Americas 250th Anniversary
As the United States turns 250 years old, the New Jersey Festival Orchestra (NJFO) opens its 44th season with a sweeping double bill that pays homage to the nation’s musical heritage.
Music Director David Wroe will lead the orchestra into the new era on September 26 with America: Honoring 250 Years, a program that pairs Aaron Copland’s stirring Lincoln Portrait with Antonín Dvořák’s rousing Symphony No. 9, From the New World. A second performance follows the next day, September 27, at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge, where Mozart’s elegant Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365 will shine under the hands of pianists Kaiden Griggs and Kate Lee.
The holiday season returns to the NJFO’s calendar on December 5 with Return of the Holiday Tenors at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. The show brings back tenors Luke Norvell and Errin Duane Brooks, joined by Alessio Borraggine, and is billed as a “symphonic spectacular” that blends seasonal favorites with classic holiday repertoire.
On New Year’s Eve, the orchestra will present Broadway Through the Ages, a concert that unfolds on December 31 at Westfield High School and repeats on January 1, 2027, at the Sieminski Theater. Maestro Wroe will guide the orchestra alongside a cast of Broadway soloists on a musical journey through the Great Songbook.
Select performances will feature pre‑concert lectures. Pianist Yifei Xu will host the talks, and for some dates she will be joined by NJFO Director of Advancement & Development Matthew Armbruster. The lectures begin one hour before the main event and are free for ticket holders.
Tickets for the season are on sale now. Interested patrons can purchase online at njfestivalorchestra.org/concerts or call (908) 232‑9400. The organization encourages advanced ticket purchases.
Founded in Westfield in 1983, the NJFO has grown into one of New Jersey’s largest professional orchestras. The ensemble performs throughout the state’s cultural communities and has appeared at venues as far away as Carnegie Hall. Its programming blends traditional orchestral repertoire with popular and contemporary works, reflecting the diversity of music that the orchestra’s name suggests.
In addition to its subscription season, the NJFO sponsors educational and music‑therapy programs across New Jersey, aiming to bring the transformative power of music to audiences inside and beyond the concert hall.
The 2026‑27 season’s focus on America’s 250th anniversary aligns with the orchestra’s mission to celebrate national heritage while offering accessible, engaging concerts. The America: Honoring 250 Years program, for example, pairs a patriotic work by Copland with a symphony that has become a staple of American orchestral life.
The holiday and New Year’s concerts continue the tradition of popular programming that has drawn large audiences in recent years. The Return of the Holiday Tenors and Broadway Through the Ages are scheduled at venues that have proven popular with the public, and the inclusion of well‑known vocalists and Broadway performers is designed to broaden the orchestra’s appeal.
As the season approaches, ticket sales remain open and the organization is promoting early purchase to secure seats for the high‑profile events. The NJFO’s website lists detailed dates, times, and venue information for each concert, and the organization’s outreach to community groups and schools underscores its commitment to music education.
Overall, the 2026‑27 season positions the New Jersey Festival Orchestra to continue its role as a leading professional ensemble in the state while celebrating a milestone in American history. The season’s mix of classical, popular, and educational programming reflects the orchestra’s long‑standing strategy of blending fine arts with broader cultural interests.
The season’s schedule, ticket availability, and program details are available through the NJFO’s official website and phone line. Patrons are encouraged to plan early to secure seats for the season’s flagship concerts, including the two America: Honoring 250 Years performances, the holiday tenor concert, and the New Year’s Broadway showcase.
Music Director David Wroe will lead the orchestra into the new era on September 26 with America: Honoring 250 Years, a program that pairs Aaron Copland’s stirring Lincoln Portrait with Antonín Dvořák’s rousing Symphony No. 9, From the New World. A second performance follows the next day, September 27, at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge, where Mozart’s elegant Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365 will shine under the hands of pianists Kaiden Griggs and Kate Lee.
The holiday season returns to the NJFO’s calendar on December 5 with Return of the Holiday Tenors at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. The show brings back tenors Luke Norvell and Errin Duane Brooks, joined by Alessio Borraggine, and is billed as a “symphonic spectacular” that blends seasonal favorites with classic holiday repertoire.
On New Year’s Eve, the orchestra will present Broadway Through the Ages, a concert that unfolds on December 31 at Westfield High School and repeats on January 1, 2027, at the Sieminski Theater. Maestro Wroe will guide the orchestra alongside a cast of Broadway soloists on a musical journey through the Great Songbook.
Select performances will feature pre‑concert lectures. Pianist Yifei Xu will host the talks, and for some dates she will be joined by NJFO Director of Advancement & Development Matthew Armbruster. The lectures begin one hour before the main event and are free for ticket holders.
Tickets for the season are on sale now. Interested patrons can purchase online at njfestivalorchestra.org/concerts or call (908) 232‑9400. The organization encourages advanced ticket purchases.
Founded in Westfield in 1983, the NJFO has grown into one of New Jersey’s largest professional orchestras. The ensemble performs throughout the state’s cultural communities and has appeared at venues as far away as Carnegie Hall. Its programming blends traditional orchestral repertoire with popular and contemporary works, reflecting the diversity of music that the orchestra’s name suggests.
In addition to its subscription season, the NJFO sponsors educational and music‑therapy programs across New Jersey, aiming to bring the transformative power of music to audiences inside and beyond the concert hall.
The 2026‑27 season’s focus on America’s 250th anniversary aligns with the orchestra’s mission to celebrate national heritage while offering accessible, engaging concerts. The America: Honoring 250 Years program, for example, pairs a patriotic work by Copland with a symphony that has become a staple of American orchestral life.
The holiday and New Year’s concerts continue the tradition of popular programming that has drawn large audiences in recent years. The Return of the Holiday Tenors and Broadway Through the Ages are scheduled at venues that have proven popular with the public, and the inclusion of well‑known vocalists and Broadway performers is designed to broaden the orchestra’s appeal.
As the season approaches, ticket sales remain open and the organization is promoting early purchase to secure seats for the high‑profile events. The NJFO’s website lists detailed dates, times, and venue information for each concert, and the organization’s outreach to community groups and schools underscores its commitment to music education.
Overall, the 2026‑27 season positions the New Jersey Festival Orchestra to continue its role as a leading professional ensemble in the state while celebrating a milestone in American history. The season’s mix of classical, popular, and educational programming reflects the orchestra’s long‑standing strategy of blending fine arts with broader cultural interests.
The season’s schedule, ticket availability, and program details are available through the NJFO’s official website and phone line. Patrons are encouraged to plan early to secure seats for the season’s flagship concerts, including the two America: Honoring 250 Years performances, the holiday tenor concert, and the New Year’s Broadway showcase.
