The 2015-2016 season will feature a mix of classics and innovative programs Watch video
TRENTON -- The sounds of strings, winds, brass and percussion will once again fill the War Memorial's Patriots Theater this weekend as the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra opens its second season.
The 2015-2016 season will feature a mix of classics and innovative programs. The season opens Saturday with Philip Glass' Concerto for Two Timpanists and Orchestra, featuring Jonathan Haas and William Trigg, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.
"I like to give people music they never heard before," music director Daniel Spalding said of the Glass piece. "It's unique and it's very exciting."
A free open rehearsal will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Mayor Eric Jackson praised the caliber of the musicians and encouraged everyone from students to seniors to support the orchestra.
He said arts and culture continues to play an important role in the city's ongoing revitalization.
"The arts is critically important for driving what I think is the whole spirit of our city and the direction that we want it to go," the mayor said. "When people want to move, live in a city, they want to make sure that it has outstanding arts and arts performances and great culture and this philharmonic, they're on the scale where they can perform with anyone."
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Principal oboist Melissa Bohl, who was part of the defunct Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra and is now a trustee of the new orchestra, said the theater's performance space begs to have a great orchestra.
"I think a great city and a city on the rise needs a great orchestra," she said. "It's a good fit."
The group's prime focus now is building its audience, she said.
"That process takes a long time," she said. "It takes a certain wonderful madness to try to do something so difficult to go from zero to 60 in one season, but we pretty much did. We're here for the second season and it looks good."
Following Saturday's opener, the season will continue with a New Year's Eve concert, a more intimate performance on April 2 with the NJCPO Chamber Players and pianist Gabriela Imreh and "Cinematic Classics" on May 14.
Tickets range from $30 to $75 and can be purchased at TicketPhiladelphia.org or 215-893-1999.
For more information, visit capitalphilharmonic.org.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.