The Westfield Symphony Orchestra will soon be known as the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, a name change several years in the making as New Jersey’s second-largest professional orchestra has expanded into a regional one. But Westfield music lovers need fear not, according to Music Director Maestro David Wroe.

 

“We clearly recognize that our home is, and will remain, in Westfield,” said Wroe.

 

In recent years the WSO has expanded its performances, playing not just in Westfield but around New Jersey and as far away as Carnegie Hall. The expansion is “really in response to the economic tsunami that has hit our industry over the last four or five years,” explained Wroe. Though its freelance musicians come from all over, including New York City, “For 30 years, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra has operated almost exclusively in Westfield.”

 

The expansion into other parts of the region is critical if the orchestra is to survive, according to Wroe, who told TAP that each year several symphony orchestras and operas suspend their operations or even close completely.

 

“We have been proactive in designing a response,” said Wroe. The plan underway is two-pronged: Increase the number of performances by traveling to other towns and perform music that attracts a broader audience.

 

 

Continue to read the full story on The Alternative Press.

Jackie Lieberman for The Alternative Press

Thursday, May 23, 2013 • 2:10am

 

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Symphony Orchestra will soon be known as the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, a name change several years in the making as New Jersey’s second-largest professional orchestra has expanded into a regional one. But Westfield music lovers need fear not, according to Music Director Maestro David Wroe.

 

“We clearly recognize that our home is, and will remain, in Westfield,” said Wroe.

 

In recent years the WSO has expanded its performances, playing not just in Westfield but around New Jersey and as far away as Carnegie Hall. The expansion is “really in response to the economic tsunami that has hit our industry over the last four or five years,” explained Wroe. Though its freelance musicians come from all over, including New York City, “For 30 years, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra has operated almost exclusively in Westfield.”

 

The expansion into other parts of the region is critical if the orchestra is to survive, according to Wroe, who told TAP that each year several symphony orchestras and operas suspend their operations or even close completely.

 

“We have been proactive in designing a response,” said Wroe. The plan underway is two-pronged: Increase the number of performances by traveling to other towns and perform music that attracts a broader audience.

 

 

Continue to read the full story.

 

(May 24, 2013) – The Westfield Memorial Library is pleased to present acoustic guitarist Peter Biedermann on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.

 

Mr. Biedermann has been composing music and performing for over 35 years. While his music covers a number of genres in the electronic and acoustic fields, the music on June 11 will be original, acoustic instrumental music performed on six, eight and twelve-string guitars in unique tunings.

 

While he considers such acoustic guitar pioneers such as Michael Hedges, Bert Jansch, Leo Kottke and Ralph Towner to be major influences on his music, Mr. Biedermann acknowledges the influences of many other lesser known originators of finger style acoustic guitar.

 

During the show, the guitarist will interact with the audience as he attempts to demystify the mystery of instrumental music.

 

The program is free and open to Westfield Memorial Library and MURAL cardholders. (MURAL cardholders belong to libraries that are part of the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement Libraries. Check our website to see if your library participates.) As this show is always very popular, you must register for it by visiting the library’s website at www.wmlnj.org, and clicking on the Calendar tab, or by calling 908.789.4090 option 0.

 

Founded in 1879, the Westfield Memorial Library—the community’s destination for discovery and ideas—engages minds, entertains spirits and facilitates lifelong learning for people of all ages. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and closed on Sundays during the summer.

 

For more information call 908.789.4090, visit the library’s website at www.wmlnj.org, and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter “Library Loop,” or stop by the library at 550 East Broad Street for a copy of the award-winning, quarterly newsletter “Take Note.”

 

Evalyn Dunn Gallery is pleased to announce that they will be hosting the 4th Annual Mitzi and Warren Eisenberg Art Show. This art show is a Jewish Family Services event and a portion of the proceeds from the show support their food programs as well as other services at

Jewish Family Services.

 

"We invite everyone to stop by Evalyn Dunn Gallery on Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm to meet the artists and enjoy some refreshments",  says Jaclyn Civins, owner of the gallery.

 

The show will continue on Monday June 10, 2013 through Friday June 14, 2013 from 10:30 am - 5:00 pm.  

 

There will be a large variety of exhibits including pottery, jewelry, photography as well as paintings, etc.  

 

 

Evalyn Dunn Gallery

549 South Ave West

Westfield, NJ  07090

908-232-0412

This year's Grand Marshal will be Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich.

 

By Elizabeth Alterman for the Westfield Patch

Break out your red white and blue! Westfield's annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27, with opening ceremonies taking place at the World War I Veterans Memorial Monument at North Avenue and East Broad Street Plaza.

 

Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky and other local officials are expected to address the crowd. Among those in the line of march are: various veteran organizations, the N.J. National Guard, town officials, police, fire and public works personnel as well as civic and youth organizations.

 

Read the full story on Westfield Patch:

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/annual-westfield-memorial-day-parade-kicks-off-at-9-a-m-monday