New Jersey Symphony
The state orchestra of New Jersey, presenting classical, popular, family and educational programs across the state.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The New Jersey Symphony is an American symphony orchestra based in New Jersey and recognized as the state's orchestra. Founded in 1922 by Philip James as the Montclair Art Association Orchestra, it gave its first concert on November 27 of that year and developed into a major regional ensemble serving audiences in northern, central and southern parts of the state. The organization was formerly known as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, commonly abbreviated as NJSO, before adopting the shorter New Jersey Symphony name in 2021. The orchestra's principal resident venue is the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Its regular activities extend across a statewide network of venues, including the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University and Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood. Its programming includes classical subscription concerts, special presentations, pops programs, family concerts, summer outdoor performances and an annual presentation of Handel's Messiah in Princeton and Newark. It has also performed at venues such as Newark Symphony Hall, the War Memorial in Trenton and Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. The orchestra's history includes a notable contribution to American musical leadership. In 1968, Henry Lewis became its music director after Kenneth Schermerhorn's departure. Lewis was the first African-American music director of a major orchestra in the United States. Later music directors included Hugh Wolff, Zdeněk Mácal, Neeme Järvi, Jacques Lacombe and Xian Zhang. Zhang, appointed in 2015 and beginning her tenure in 2016, became the first woman to serve as the orchestra's music director. Her contract was subsequently extended through the 2027–2028 season. The New Jersey Symphony attracted substantial attention in the 2000s through its purchase and subsequent sale of the so-called Golden Age string collection. Acquired from Herbert R. Axelrod in 2003, the collection included approximately 30 instruments, among them instruments attributed to Stradivari. Questions later arose concerning valuation and the authenticity of some instruments, while Axelrod separately pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud connected with the transaction. Facing significant debt and budget pressure, the orchestra sold the collection in 2007 to investors including Seth and Brook Taube. The sale was intended to reduce debt and replenish the endowment, while allowing the orchestra to retain playing rights to many of the instruments for a limited period. The organization has also adapted its delivery methods and public identity. During the COVID-19 pandemic it launched New Jersey Symphony Virtual, offering concert films, chamber performances and online educational programming. In December 2021, it consolidated its public identity under the New Jersey Symphony name. The orchestra has recorded repertoire for the Delos label, including works by Berlioz, Dvořák, Glière and Mussorgsky, and made a commercial recording of Carmina Burana with Lacombe. In 2024 it announced plans for Symphony Center, a permanent principal venue in Jersey City expected to be completed in 2026, as well as the appointment of Joshua Bell as principal guest conductor beginning in the 2025–2026 season. Terry D. Loftis was announced as the next president and chief executive officer, effective March 2025.
History
The New Jersey Symphony began in 1922 when Philip James founded an ensemble under the name Montclair Art Association Orchestra. Its first concert took place on November 27, 1922. During the 1940s the orchestra performed at Newark Symphony Hall, helping establish a durable institutional presence in the state's largest city. The orchestra's music-director history reflects both continuity and change in American orchestral life. Philip James led the early ensemble, followed by Rene Pollain, Frieder Weissmann, Samuel Antek, Matyas Abas and Kenneth Schermerhorn. After Schermerhorn's departure in 1968, Henry Lewis became music director. His appointment was historically significant: Lewis was the first African-American music director of a major orchestra in the United States. Later leadership included Thomas Michalak, Hugh Wolff and Zdeněk Mácal. Under Mácal, the orchestra recorded repertoire for the Delos label, including works by Berlioz, Dvořák, Reinhold Glière and Mussorgsky. The organization entered a difficult period in the 2000s. In 2003 it purchased approximately 30 string instruments from the collection of Herbert R. Axelrod, including instruments attributed to Stradivari. The acquisition was promoted as a prestige-enhancing investment and was called the Golden Age string collection. Subsequent investigations questioned the collection's valuation and the authenticity of several instruments. Axelrod had represented the collection as worth substantially more than the orchestra's purchase price and later pleaded guilty to an unrelated federal tax-fraud charge connected with the transaction. The orchestra initially planned to retain the instruments, but mounting financial pressure led it to seek a sale. In 2007 the collection was sold to investors including twin brothers Seth Taube and Brook Taube. The orchestra said the proceeds would be used to retire debt and restore money taken from its endowment to fund the acquisition. The transaction also allowed the orchestra to retain playing rights to 28 instruments for at least five years. During this period the organization reduced staff and cut the planned number of subscription concerts. Neeme Järvi, music director from 2005 to 2009, was widely credited with improving the ensemble artistically despite the institution's financial and administrative difficulties. After his formal tenure ended, he continued in advisory and conductor-laureate capacities. Jacques Lacombe became music director designate in 2009 and began his formal tenure in the 2010–2011 season. He later recorded Carmina Burana with the orchestra. Xian Zhang, who had first appeared as a guest conductor in 2010, was appointed music director in 2015 and began leading the orchestra in 2016. Her appointment made her the first woman to serve as the ensemble's music director, and her contract was later extended through the 2027–2028 season. The organization has maintained a broad statewide operating model. Its programs combine classical subscription series with pops, special, family and educational concerts. Regular venues have included the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University and Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood. It has also staged summer concerts in parks and outdoor spaces throughout New Jersey and presents Handel's Messiah during the Advent season. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of New Jersey Symphony Virtual in 2020, with filmed concerts, chamber-music performances and virtual education. In December 2021 the orchestra formally changed its name from New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to New Jersey Symphony, aligning its official identity with the shorter name already used in public marketing. In 2024 it announced development plans for Symphony Center in Jersey City, a permanent principal venue targeted for completion in 2026. It also announced Joshua Bell as principal guest conductor from the 2025–2026 season and Terry D. Loftis as president and chief executive officer from March 2025.
- 2024
Symphony Center announced
[1]The orchestra announced plans for a permanent principal venue in Jersey City.
- 2021
Name changed to New Jersey Symphony
[1]The organization adopted its current name in a rebranding effort.
- 2020
New Jersey Symphony Virtual launched
[1]The orchestra introduced digital concerts, chamber programs and online education during the pandemic.
- 2015
Xian Zhang appointed music director
[1]Zhang was named the orchestra's 14th music director, becoming its first female music director.
- 2007
Golden Age collection sold
[1]The instruments were sold to investors to help address debt and rebuild the endowment.
- 2003
Golden Age collection acquired
[1]The orchestra purchased approximately 30 string instruments from Herbert R. Axelrod's collection.
- 1968
Henry Lewis becomes music director
[1]Henry Lewis assumed the music directorship and became the first African-American music director of a major orchestra in the United States.
- 1922
Orchestra founded
[1]Philip James founded the ensemble as the Montclair Art Association Orchestra, which performed its first concert on November 27.
Products and positioning
A statewide professional orchestra combining traditional symphonic repertoire with accessible pops, family, educational and community programming. Its positioning emphasizes broad geographic access, artistic quality and service as New Jersey's resident state orchestra.
Live performance
Classical subscription concerts
The orchestra's core offering is a series of subscription-based orchestral concerts presenting standard and modern symphonic repertoire. These performances form the backbone of its seasonal activity and are presented at major arts venues in Newark and other New Jersey cities.
Live performance
Pops, special and family concerts
Alongside classical programming, the New Jersey Symphony presents popular-music programs, special events and family concerts. These formats broaden the orchestra's audience and make orchestral music accessible to listeners who may not regularly attend subscription concerts.
Digital programming · 2020
New Jersey Symphony Virtual
Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey Symphony Virtual consists of concert films, chamber performances by orchestra musicians and virtual education programs. It extended the ensemble's reach beyond physical venues and supplemented in-person activity.
Recorded music
Concert recordings
The orchestra has issued commercial recordings, including Delos releases conducted by Zdeněk Mácal featuring music by Berlioz, Dvořák, Glière and Mussorgsky. It also recorded Carmina Burana with Jacques Lacombe from performances associated with his debut appearances.
Controversies
2013
Richard Dare resignation
Richard Dare resigned as president shortly after taking office following reports about a prior accusation of sexual misconduct and questions regarding claims about his business achievements. The incident led to scrutiny of the organization's executive search and vetting process.
2007
Golden Age instrument collection controversy
The orchestra's purchase of instruments from Herbert R. Axelrod generated controversy over valuation and the authenticity of some instruments. Financial pressures later led to the collection's sale to investors, with proceeds intended for debt reduction and endowment restoration.
Brand decisions
2024
Develop Symphony Center in Jersey CityStrategyBackground
The orchestra announced plans to establish a permanent principal venue in Jersey City.
Action taken
It announced Symphony Center, with completion targeted for 2026.
Aftermath
The project is intended to provide a permanent principal home for the orchestra, subject to completion of construction.
2021
Rebrand as New Jersey SymphonyStrategyBackground
The organization sought to consolidate the longer New Jersey Symphony Orchestra name and the NJSO acronym into a simpler public identity.
Action taken
It changed its official name to New Jersey Symphony.
Aftermath
The shorter name became the organization's primary brand.
2020
Introduce virtual performance and educationStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted conventional concert operations and audience access.
Action taken
The orchestra launched New Jersey Symphony Virtual with filmed concerts, chamber music and online educational programs.
Aftermath
The initiative provided a digital channel for performances and education during the disruption.
2007
Sell the Golden Age string collectionStrategyBackground
The orchestra faced substantial debt and budget pressure after acquiring the instrument collection and concluded that retaining it was financially difficult.
Action taken
It arranged a sale to investors while seeking to preserve playing rights to most of the instruments for a defined period.
Aftermath
The orchestra stated that the proceeds would retire debt and restore funds used from its endowment.
Reported purchase and sale values. $17 million purchase price → $20 million sale price (2003–2007)
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/new-jersey-symphony · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled