New Jersey arts and entertainment news, features and event previews.

It was a beautiful summer evening on June 28, 2022, on the Toms River campus of Ocean County College in New Jersey. Music lovers sat on lawn chairs, spread out on blankets and dotted the hillside above a portable stage, as they waited for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s live “Summer Under the Stars” performance featuring music from Mozart, Rossini and Rogers to begin and Hammerstein.

Before the show, we took a moment to chat with several viewers, including a family from Toms River that included three generations of music lovers. Mom Michele revealed, “My daughter Lucia played the cello in elementary school. We got here early and picked a spot next to the cello so she could watch them play.” Lucia said of her choice of instrument: “I loved the sound of it. It was a lot of fun to play.” Michelle recalls, “We took the family to Ocean County College to visit NJSO last year,” marveled grandmother Donna, “They were amazing! To be able to enjoy the scene again The music is so good!”

We also chatted with Don from Barnegat, who told us, “We heard that the New Jersey Symphony was going to be playing at the college tonight, and we had to come and hear them,” explaining, “Since we’ve seen them play the soundtrack, star wars Live – it’s amazing how they were able to sync live music with the movie. “

Ocean County College President Jon Larson welcomes everyone to the Summer Under the Stars program tonight on the OCC campus. After quoting Tolstoy – “music is melody magic” – Larsen announced that tonight’s concert will be led by conductor José Luis Domínguez, NJSO Youth Orchestra Group violinist Timothy Shi will also perform.

The orchestra tunes and the crowd rises to play “The Star-Spangled Banner.” With their hands on their hearts, the audience rose to the majestic sound of the national anthem played by the NJSO.

On Rossini’s “Prelude” Barbers in Seville,” strings play, bows bounce to the call of woodwinds and brass. Woodwinds dance to the plucks of cello and bass and longbows of violins and viola. The artistic expression brings the notes on the page to life with the tap of a toe, as the sound kicks off to the cheers of the crowd.

Host Jose Luis Dominguez welcomed the audience.

He introduced timpani player Gregory LaRosa, who reminded the audience that they “may have heard the first tune in the Bugs Bunny cartoon, Rabbit of Seville,” before introducing tonight’s next choice, “Juba Dance” from Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor.

In this selection, strings, brass, and woodwinds play a light-hearted, dance-like melody, and the percussion section adds a sense of rhythm under Dominguez’s dance stick.

Next is the “Poet and Peasant Overture” by the Austrian composer Franz von Suppe. The rest of the orchestra joins in, and the brass leads the call. The harp and cello duo, sweet and lyrical, before inviting the other parts to dance with them. Moods change as the music ebbs and flows, while the setting sun paints the sky pink, grey and lavender.

Orchestra principal Brennan Sweet told the audience that the NJSO’s next track was written in 1775 when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was 19 years old. Sweet introduces violin soloist Stimothy, winner of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s 2022 Henry Lewis Concerto Competition.

The orchestra plays the familiar “Allegro” tune from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. As they performed, Shi had his violin sing, and his solos showcased his dexterity and skill as well as his musical intelligence.

The band members stomped their feet at the end, and the crowd applauded in thanks.

During halftime, we chatted with several music lovers in the audience who shared their thoughts on tonight’s show. Val from Brick exclaimed: “Oh my god – this concert was amazing!”, adding: “As a kid growing up in the 60’s I listened to a lot of classical music and watched cartoons and now In the evenings, I enjoy playing those familiar music live. Seeing musicians perform in front of me adds another dimension to the listening experience and gives me a new appreciation for music.”

Rocco, from Jupiter, Florida, admitted: “This is the first time I’ve seen the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Ocean County College. It’s such a beautiful setting and the music is so exciting, I hope they do more than once a year Do it.” Rocco’s daughter, Marcy from Bayville, agreed, adding: “It was so exciting to hear Timothy Shi perform tonight. He has such a huge talent!”

Next, we chat with Timothy Shi’s parents, Jin and Eric. Jin revealed, “I’m a little nervous for Timothy – he’s only 15 – but I think it’s great that he’s got a lot of encouragement from all the symphony players. I’m so grateful to NJSO for this amazing opportunity.” Dad Eric agreed, joking: “As his parents, we’re not musicians at all – I’m just a driver – but we’re all very proud of Timothy.”

We ended up chatting with audience member Lee from Brick, who commented, “Timothy Shi is amazing – he has such composure,” before adding, “I love the New Jersey Symphony. We came here for last year’s show. concert, just had to come back again,” noted, “I can’t wait to hear the selections they play the sound of music In the second half as this is something we can all use now! “

The second act ends with “The sound of music: Orchestral selections by Rogers and Hammerstein. Audiences sang and hummed along to The Sound of Music’s opening track, as well as other familiar tunes, including “My Favourite Things,” “Doe a Deer,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Every Mountain.”

The audience cheers at the end as the orchestra stands and bows.

follow Johann Strauss’s Trich-Tudge-Polka, a playful and lively piece full of runs and swells, timpani player Gregory La Rosa introduces the next number, revealing that John Philip Sousa wrote it in 1927 for the “Atlantic City Beauty Pageant,” the Miss America contest ‘s original name. The audience’s toes tapped the infectious beat of Sousa’s “Atlantic City Pageant March.”

A highlight of tonight’s show was the NJSO’s performance of “Danzon №2” by Arturo Marquez. Synopsis dominates this exciting piece, with the violinist playing the violin like a guitar and the cellist playing the instrument to create a unique rhythmic sound. Soon all the string players were playing their instruments on this rhythmically and melodic complex. Music maestro Brennan Sweet played the violin solo, and as the music played, the night sky was filled with the taste of Cuba. The audience cheered for the impressive performance.

Sweet told viewers that it has been the NJSO’s tradition for the past 20 years to end their show on their next pick.He invites all veterans in the audience to stand as their troops are called in ‘Armed Forces Salute’,” Includes songs for the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy. The audience happily clapped along, applauding the men and women who served the country.

Dominguez stepped up to the microphone and asked, “A little more?” The crowd responded happily with whistles and cheers. He and the NJSO ended tonight’s concert with a performance of John Philip Sousa’s “Forever Star-Spangled Banner.” The audience applauded at the conductor’s prompt, then erupted into cheers and whistles, giving the NJSO musicians a well-deserved standing ovation as they bowed.

As the audience walked out of the concert area, we spoke to several members of the crowd who shared their thoughts on tonight’s performance. Bridget, from Iselin, said: “I love it! NJSO always plays all kinds of music.” Her friend Marilyn from Chadwick Beach agreed to joke, “Plus, no ads!”

And Lucia, the elementary cellist we talked to earlier, told us, “My favorite piece tonight is the sound of music,” argues Susan from Lakewood, “I like ‘Danzon’. It’s exciting and unlike most orchestral music I’ve ever heard. It made me want to stand up and dance, so contagious! “

We ended up chatting with Dee from Chadwick, who said, “What a great concert! All the musicians are very talented,” concluding, “What a great way to spend a summer evening! “

Learn more about NJSO’s upcoming concerts and events – including Centennial Celebrations and Concerts With Yo-Yo Ma at NJPAC on November 12 – visit njsymphony.orgTo find out more about upcoming classes at Ocean County College – including the Westminster Concert Bell Choir on December 2nd and the Vienna Boys Choir on December 8th – click here grunincenter.org.