Performing Arts
Capital Philharmonic Concert In Trenton’s Cadwalader Park
MUSIC AT MORVEN: The lush grounds behind Morven will serve as host to chamber musicians from the Princeton Symphony Orchestra this fall, starting September 24.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra 497-0020 or check the PSO and we’re grateful for their event calendar at prince- tremendous commitment to Has Chamber Series for Fall
The Princeton Symphony Orchestra ( PSO ) has announced a new chamber music series for fall with live performances held outside on the grounds of Morven Museum and Garden. The three-concert series showcases the talents of the orchestra’s individual instrument sections and features principal musicians. Concerts take place on select Thursday evenings in September and October. All that is needed to make the setting complete are lawn chairs or a blanket. Seating consists of marked-off, socially distanced “pods” for up to two people, and are available for $35/pod. The series opens Thursday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m. with the PSO Brass Quintet performing music of the Renaissance period, selections from Bernstein’s West Side Story, and more. The ensemble consists of J e r r y B r y a n t, t r u m p e t ; Tom Cook, trumpet; Jonat h a n Clark, h or n ; L ar s Wendt, trombone; and Jonathan Fowler, tuba. On Thursday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m., the PSO Woodwinds perform Samuel Barber’s Summer Music, Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, and other selections. Musicians are Yevgeny Faniuk, flute; Lillian Copeland, oboe; Pascal Archer, clarinet; Charlie Bailey, bassoon; and Jonathan Clark, horn. Plans are still underway for the third concert in the series, scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street. For tickets and information, call (609)
tonsymphony.org. Dates, the arts and culture nationtimes, artists, and programs wide,” said Jeremy Grunin, are subject to change. president of the Gr unin Foundation and co-chair of Arts and Culture Fund NJACRF. “A fund like this gets off the ground because Raises Over $2 Million More than $2 million has a diverse group of funders been raised by the New Jer- comes together and accepts sey Arts and Culture Recov- the challenge. We simply ery Fund to help ensure the cannot do the work we need survival of the state’s eco- to do on our own.” nomically devastated arts In their latest show of supand cultural sector. Arts and port for their home state, culture are big business in Colbert and Stewart have New Jersey, and central to stepped up to help the inthe success of communities dustry which is reeling from statewide. From economic closures, cancellations, and revitalization and jobs, to layoffs caused by the panfostering dialogue and unity demic. in the face of social and ra“ We’r e w atch i n g hu n cial injustice, the arts and dreds of organizations and culture are critical tools for thousands of artists suffer, action and change. while many of them are still I n r e c o g n it i on of t h e creating content for free Fund’s commitment to an to help us get through this equitable recovery, the An- strange time of isolation drew W. Mellon Foundation and uncertainty,” said Colhas made a $500,000 grant bert. His wife, Evelyn Mcto help bolster the Fund and Gee Colbert, who serves on ensure broad access. To Governor Murphy’s Restart help incentivize more giving, and Recovery Commission, $150,000 is designated as added, “Stephen and I know a challenge grant, meaning the value of a creative outdonors who give toward the let – for ourselves, for our match can double the impact families, and for our comof their dollars. munity – and we can’t take “We’re firmly committed for granted that this industo supporting New Jersey’s try will survive without our ar tistic com munit y, and help. Ever y contribution to alleviating the financial makes a difference.” devastation experienced by Together, the Colber ts too many of the state’s arts and Stewarts have pledged and culture organizations,” a combined gift of $100,000 said Foundation President that will go toward meeting Elizabeth Alexander. “We’re the $1 million challenge proud to join in partnership posed by the NJ Pandemic with the Colberts and Stew- Relief Fund last month, esarts in leading the effort to sentially doubling the value expand this critical Fund,” of their gift. she said, referring to the late NJAC R F is hos te d by night stars, Stephen Colbert the Princeton Area Comand Jon Stewart, both of munit y Foundation, and whom have offered support. co-chaired by Grunin and “The support of the Mellon Shar nita C. Johnson of Foundation is remarkable, the G eraldine R. Dodge
On Saturday, September 26 at 4 p.m., the wind and percussion sections of the Capital Philhar monic of New Jersey will perform a concert at the pavilion in Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, located on Parkside Avenue. Daniel Spalding, music director, will conduct the concert, titled “Our American Heritage.” The event is free and open to all. Masks and social distancing are required. The rain date is Sunday, September 27 at the same time. For information, call (609) 989-3369 or email mjack@ trentonnj.org.
Free “Watch Party” With Takacs String Quartet
The Takács String Quartet will make their 21st appearance on the Princeton University Concerts series on Thursday, October 15, at 8 p.m. as part of a free “Watch Party” streamed live from Colorado. The appearance launches the Watch Party Series. Violist Richard O’Neill will join the in works by Mozart, Bartók, Debussy, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The streaming festivities will conclude with a Live Q&A in which listeners are invited to speak directly with members of the quartet. To enhance the experience, Olsson’s Fine Foods is curating a special cheese platter “Sound Board” to complement the music, available for purchase and home delivery. The concert stream will remain available for on-demand viewing until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. While this free virtual event is non-ticketed, attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at princetonuniversityconcerts.org for access to special related content leading up to the stream, including a brief video introduction to the evening’s program given by Princeton University Professor Emeritus Scott Burnham, who will include the history of Coleridge-Taylor’s background as a 20th-century English composer and
activist of European and African descent. “This will be a season opening unlike any other in the series’ 127-year-history,” said Princeton University Concerts Director Marna Seltzer. “While it is certainly disappointing to not be able to gather in person to hear the Takács Quartet perform, we are excited by the possibilities that a virtual concert can offer — especially the intimacy of experiencing the quartet in their hometown and the ability to interact with them directly through a Live Q&A. By conceiving this as a free Watch Party open to all, we hope that the community can come together once again in a festive, virtual way and celebrate the enduring power of music, especially during these difficult times.” The series will continue in November with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and his sister, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. Other planned virtual activity includes the continuation of the Collective Listening Project featuring weekly curated playlists, and the launch of a virtual Live Music Meditation series. More information is available at princetonuniversityconcerts.org. The Takács Quartet, now entering its 46th season, is based in Boulder at the University of Colorado. Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola), and András Fejér (cello) perform 80 concerts a year worldwide.
Tang Yuk Steps Down From Princeton Festival
great experiences I enjoyed at the Festival, which is so dear to my heart. They would not have been possible without the support and commitment of our board of trustees.” Gregor y Jon G eeher n, the Festival’s associate conductor and assistant to the artistic director, has been appointed acting ar tistic director. Geehern, a conductor, pianist, singer, and scholar, prepared and led many Festival choruses. “Everyone associated with the Princeton Festival is sorry to see Richard leave,” said Benedikt von Schröder, chair of the board of trustees. “He was instrumental in building the Festival into a major presence in the cultural life of our community and our region. We hope to honor him with a special celebration in the near future. Part of Richard’s legacy is an outstanding staff, including Gregory Geehern. We are confident that they will maintain the Festival’s high artistic standards and provide the basis for future growth.” Under Tang Yuk’s leadership, the Princeton Festival grew from two events and four performances in 2004 to 22 performances of 8 events plus 20 free lectures and workshops in 2019. Its offerings include opera, musicals, Baroque music, jazz, dance, and multi-media. This past June, when the pandemic made live performance impossible, it launched “Virtually Yours,” a successful online season with 50 separate events. The next event in the Princeton Festival’s 2020 calendar is the finals of its annual piano competition, which this year will be presented online on September 23 at 6 p.m. It features performances from competition finalists from around the world. Tickets and information are available at theprincetonfestival.secure. force.com/ticket#.
17 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEdNESday, SEPTEmbER 23, 2020
Fou ndat ion. In addit ion to Grunin and Dodge, the NJACRF’s Steering Committee includes representatives from the Prudential Foundation, Stone Foundation of NJ, and E.J. Grassmann Trust, all contributors to the Fund, as well as the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and New Jersey Historical Commission. The fund is also supported by the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and a growing list of donors. For more information visit NJArtsCulture.org.
The Princeton Festival, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ser v ing its communities with an annual summer festival of the performing arts, has announced that Richard Tang Yuk, executive and artistic director and one of the organization’s founders, has Voices Chorale NJ Launches decided to leave the Festival. Fall Online Singer Program During the current pandemic when singing together is not an option, Voices Chorale NJ is holding a fall program on online education. Participants will meet online through a web application on Monday nights from 7:30-9 p.m., September 28 through December 14. Artistic Director David A. McConnell and guest musical educators will lead sessions designed around vocal development, ear training, Richard Tang Yuk sight singing, study of cho“After 16 wonderful years ral literature, and more. with the Princeton Festival, All members of the singing I am excited to pass the community are welcome. reins to its next leaders and The cost of the program watch the Festival continue to thrive and move to the is $115. Email info@voicenext level,” said Tang Yuk. schoralenj.org for additional “I will forever cherish the information and instructions.
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