“Starting next season, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra will be called the New Jersey Festival Orchestra,” writes Ronni Reich in Friday’s (5/31) Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.). “The ensemble will incorporate the New Philharmonic of New Jersey, with which it recently has been performing under the banner of Musica Morristown. ‘The name change is part of a strategy which we have been implementing for a number of years … in response to the economic tsunami which is being visited on our industry,’ says [Music Director David] Wroe.… The new name reflects efforts on the part of the orchestra to collaborate with arts organizations across the state with the goal of making each concert an event.… In addition to its regular venues, the orchestra has also performed in Holmdel and Jersey City and is looking into beginning a residency in Basking Ridge. Wroe was recently named music director of Opera at Florham, and next season’s NJFO season will include a collaboration with that group on a semi-staged production of Aida…. [Wroe says] ‘The partnerships with other organizations have allowed us to achieve our artistic goals which we otherwise could not afford.’ ”
Posted June 3, 2013
