History

Overview

The Westfield Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, world-class musical experience that rivals any in the New York metropolitan area. Music lovers are invited to discover critically acclaimed conductor David Wroe’s passionate and innovative approach to orchestral music and be transported by an exhilarating evening in a setting close to home.

The WSO Symphony is viewed as one of the cultural jewels of the metropolitan area. It is recognized by the NJ State Council on the Arts as a “Distinguished Arts Organization” and is the resident orchestra of Union County. The Symphony was founded in1983 by a group of Westfield citizens who believed that the expression of history and culture through the performance of symphonic music adds value to the quality of
community life. Its mission is to promote the world’s legacy of symphonic and operatic music to Westfield,
Union County and New Jersey residents, involving them in a diversity of professional musical experiences
including performance, education and mentoring.

During its history, the Westfield Symphony has appeared at Carnegie Hall on three occasions, accompanied such renowned artists as Leon Fleisher, Earl Wild, Shlomo Mintz, and Eugene Istomin and has presented eighteen premieres of contemporary music as well as performances of pillars of the symphonic and operatic repertoire. 2006 saw the inaugural concerts of SOPAC Viruosi, WSO’s chamber ensemble at the newly constructed South Orange performing Arts Center in N.J. and in 2007 WSO returned to Carnegie Hall in collaboration with the Raul Wallenburg Foundation and United Nations Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor. Critics and audiences have repeatedly hailed the orchestra’s opera-in-concert performances and the WSO’s innovative education programs have become models in the state and have been featured on New Jersey Network’s “State of the Arts” program.

The Westfield Symphony Orchestra has demonstrated a dedication to living composers and
to new music throughout its history. During the twenty-six years of its existence, the Symphony has
presented more than 17 world and United States premieres. Maestro Wroe has heightened this
commitment by emphasizing the importance of involving composers in new music activities.
Last year, the 25th Silver Anniversary season, was a remarkable success, bringing in ever growing
audiences, forging new and exciting artistic relationships and continuing to bring you the highest quality performances of both standard orchestral repertoire and 21st century compositions. Moreover,
the WSO was awarded a Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

In addition to a five-concert subscription season and its popular community concerts for New Year’s
Eve, the WSO sponsors educational programs for school students throughout Union County. Other outreach programs include pre-concert lectures and collaborations with the PNC Arts Center, New Jersey
Music Teachers’ Association, North Jersey Bach Festival, Youth and Family Counseling Service, Umoja Dance Group, Arbor Chamber Music Society, Princeton Pro Musica, Kean University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, Westfield High School, Westfield School of Dance and Westfield Young Artists Cooperative Theatre.