March 26, 2014, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Jim Wise Theater, NJIT Main Campus
The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey (BONJ) returns to NJIT as part of the Technology and Society Forum’s exploration of creativity in all of its forms. The first half of the concert will focus on the 18th century, on three composers whose work deserves to be much better known today — Baldassare Galuppi, Josef Myzlivecek, and Johann Neruda.
Trumpeter Jonah Kappraff will highlight the first part of the program with a concerto by Neruda. A recitalist and music educator, Kappraff will play Concerto in E-flatfor Trumpet and Strings.
The program will also feature the premiere of two new compositions. The chamber opera The Cask of Amontillado by Dr. Robert Butts, BONJ founder and artistic director, is based on the story by Edgar Allan Poe. The other premiere, in observance of Women’s History Month in March, will be Suite for Small Orchestra by Amy Reich.
Founded in 1996, the BONJ mission has been to present a wide variety of classical music and new work by contemporary composers at affordable prices to the residents of New Jersey. The orchestra’s goal also is to open doors to future audiences and performers by sponsoring free family concerts and competitions for young musicians.
To encourage the development and recognition of classical music students, the BONJ sponsors the Pearl and Julius Young Music Competition. Winners of the competition, and other young musicians, have the opportunity to play with the orchestra.
Initially performing at the Darress Theatre in Boonton, the orchestra became the ensemble in residence at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison. In 2008, the BONJ moved to Dolan Hall at the College of Saint Elizabeth for its larger concerts.