In the medical field, nurses are carefully trained to take a variety of vital measurements to ascertain the health of a patient. Have you ever considered the vital signs of a society? Many societies can trace their demise to the point when the people left moral and vitreous entertainment for that of a baser sort. 

I was reminded of that principle I learned from the history of Rome, as I listened to the speeches during the opening gala. They spoke about the great work the NJ Symphony is doing to bring musical training, experiences, and understanding throughout the state and particularly to those in circumstances less likely to receive such training. Some members of the orchestra even spend their intermission during certain events at the edge of the stage answering questions and interacting with the audience. 

During the first performance of the NJ Symphony’s 101st season, the Emmy Awards announced that the NJ Symphony’s PBS broadcast  “Art is Essential” won one of their coveted awards. There is a lot of good coming from this organization. 

We owe much in our popular music to the arts, symphonies, and composers of the past and present. Nowadays, four-chord formulaic pop songs are as common as sunburns in July on the Jersey shore, but quality concerts for a fair price are uncommon. 

This is what separates the NJ Symphony from many of the other orchestras in the area. For $25, you can  experience professionals playing concert music. This season’s line-up has something for everyone, from soundtracks to symphonies, jazz to new age, and a variety of commissioned pieces. 

This evening’s lineup came out strong for opening night. Robert Spano conducted four works around the theme of the new world. 

I appreciated the orchestra immediately playing the national anthem at the beginning of the season and respecting the country which provides them the freedom to perform without fear.

Valerie Coleman’s tone poem “Umoja” began quite beautifully with creative percussion and strings introducing soothing harmonic progressions aimed to share a positive message of unity. I enjoyed it more than expected, as I tend to be highly critical of modern composers’ lack of depth and weak cerebral engagement among the audience. The piece built nicely and the orchestra honored its message. This piece delivered on its promised optimism. 

The second piece, William Grant Still’s “Out of the Silence,” lacked the beauty, creativity, wit, and engagement of the other pieces of the evening, yet it was performed well. 

Things picked back up as the orchestra leaned into Duke Ellington “New World A-Comin’” with far more soul than most orchestras bring to large scale jazz pieces. I would imagine that Aaron Diehl and his trio who performed with the orchestra had something to do with that positive outcome. 

The final piece on the program, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, “From the New World” is one of the most known and performed concert works today. The orchestra did it justice, with the strings and woodwind sections standing out for their tonal quality and balance. 

There are many good causes to contribute to at this time, and the arts are one of those in need. The best way to help? Come and enjoy! Or you can join us and make a contribution to the arts directly. To learn more about the upcoming season and purchase your own tickets, visit them online.

_{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are of the writer*}