New Jersey Festival Orchestra Announces 2026-27 Season Celebrating Americas 250th Anniversary

The New Jersey Festival Orchestra (NJFO) has released the program for its 2026‑27 season, the ensemble’s 44th year of performance. The season will begin on September 26, 2026, and will feature a mix of classical repertoire and popular concerts that the orchestra has built a reputation for.

The opening concert, titled America: Honoring 250 Years, will take place at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield on Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. A second performance will be held Sunday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. The program pairs Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, a work that sets excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches to orchestra, with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World. The Basking Ridge concert will also feature Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365, performed by pianists Kaiden Griggs and Kate Lee. Pre‑concert lectures will be offered for both dates.

The holiday season will include a return of the popular Return of the Holiday Tenors concert on Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Westfield. The program will feature tenors Luke Norvell and Errin Duane Brooks, joined by Alessio Borraggine. The concert will present seasonal favorites and holiday classics.

NJFO’s signature New Year’s celebration, Broadway Through the Ages, will be staged on Thursday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m. in Westfield High School. The concert will bring together the orchestra and a cast of Broadway soloists for a program of songs from the American Great Songbook. A second performance will be held Friday, January 1, 2027 at 2:30 p.m. in the Sieminski Theater.

Operations Director and concert pianist Yifei Xu will conduct pre‑concert lectures for selected performances. For some concerts, she will be joined by NJFO Director of Advancement & Development Matthew Armbruster. Lectures begin one hour before the scheduled performance and are free for ticket holders.

Tickets for the 2026‑27 season are on sale. Interested parties can purchase tickets or obtain additional information by visiting njfestivalorchestra.org/concerts or by calling (908) 232‑9400. The organization encourages advanced ticket purchases.

NJFO was founded in Westfield in 1983. Over the past four decades, the orchestra has grown to become one of New Jersey’s largest professional orchestras. Its programming has traditionally blended standard orchestral repertoire with popular and crossover works, aiming to attract long‑time patrons and new audiences alike. The ensemble has performed in venues throughout New Jersey and has appeared at major national venues, including Carnegie Hall.

In addition to its subscription season, NJFO sponsors educational and music therapy programs across the state. These initiatives aim to extend the orchestra’s reach beyond the concert hall and to bring the benefits of music to diverse communities.

The 2026‑27 season’s focus on America’s 250th anniversary reflects the orchestra’s commitment to celebrating national milestones through music. The program’s selection of works—Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, Dvořák’s New World Symphony, and Mozart’s piano concerto—provides a broad representation of American and European orchestral traditions.

The season’s schedule, venues, and program details are confirmed by the NJFO announcement. No changes have been reported, and the organization has not indicated any additional concerts beyond those listed.

The New Jersey Festival Orchestra’s 2026‑27 season is set to begin in late September and will conclude with the New Year’s Broadway Through the Ages concert on January 1, 2027. Ticket sales remain open, and the orchestra encourages interested listeners to secure seats in advance.