History of The New Philharmonic of New Jersey

The New Philharmonic of New Jersey was created thirty-three years ago for the purpose of enhancing the cultural life of our community through the performance of classical music by professional musicians. The co-founders of the organization are Leon Hyman, Music Director/Conductor, and Karen Pinoci, Associate Music Director/Conductor, who also directs the orchestra’s music education program, Sounds Like Fun! The New Philharmonic offers an annual series of four concert performances of classical music featuring a broad repertory that has included both familiar and unusual works, including compositions that feature voice actors, choruses, and collaborations with such exceptional arts organizations as New Jersey Ballet, Newark Boys Chorus, Princeton Ballet, Pro Arte Chorale, The Garden State Ballet, and others. Each concert includes a pre-performance lecture by Composer-in-Residence John Sichel, and Conductor Leon Hyman creates “classical music with a personal touch” by sharing his insights before each concert selection. In addition, The New Philharmonic performs a series of smaller chamber musicales in a variety of venues throughout northern and central New Jersey.

The music education program, Sounds Like Fun!, is a unique and comprehensive program designed to acquaint children with the enduring masterpieces of our culture and educate them to the enjoyment and understanding of fine music. Through a series of ensemble presentations, children learn about the instrument families and the “quartet of music making” — composer, musician, conductor, and audience.

Several years ago, The New Philharmonic of New Jersey created a program that takes concerts to nursing and assisted living facilities, so that people who cannot attend the concert series still have the opportunity to enjoy live performances of fine music.

The New Philharmonic enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of our musical performances, and we are proud to present award-winning soloists who have performed all over the world. Guest artists who have appeared with The New Philharmonic include Andre Watts, Peter Serkin, Leon Fleisher, Shlomo Mintz, Ani Kavafian, Joseph Kalichstein, Lillian Kallir, Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach), Pamela Frank, Gil Shaham, Awadagin Pratt, and many others.

During the 2009–2010 season, besides our four concerts at Dolan Performance Hall, The New Philharmonic once again performed at First Night Morris, Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, and at other smaller venues throughout the area. Our music education program is serving our area’s children, and our Music for All Audiences program will take small concerts to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to entertain those too frail to travel to the theater. This program also underwrites the costs of tickets to performances and dress rehearsals for middle and lower income elderly and disabled people. In addition, we have held musicales in the intimacy of smaller venues and private homes.