Classical and Remarkable

The Society of Musical Arts presents it season-opening concert on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield. Maestro Stephen Culbertson of West Orange leads the 60 piece orchestra. Included on the program: Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 the “Classical;” Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto with the orchestra’s concert master Susan Heerema of Wayne the featured soloist; and the program concludes with Swedish composer Franz Berwald’s Symphony No. 3 the “Singulière,” The Society of Musical Arts was founded in 1981 by Samuel Applebaum of Maplewood, NJ, one of the most prominent violin pedagogues to hail from New Jersey. The orchestra has grown from a chamber group who performed once a year to a full 60-piece orchestra presenting three concerts a year at beautiful venues across Essex and Union Counties. Over the decades it has maintained and expanded on its mission of providing opportunities for both amateur and professional musicians to present concerts of orchestral music free to the public, with multi-generational appeal to the residents of Essex and surrounding counties. Maestro Stephen Culbertson celebrates twelve years as conductor and musical director and is largely credited with the orchestra’s expansion over the years. Concert master Susan Heerema (first chair violin, whose responsibilities include “leading the charge” under the Maestro’s baton) is a more recent welcome addition to the orchestra and has won the confidence and admiration of her musical colleagues as well as our audiences. Audience reception has always been warm and enthusiastic (and often on their feet!) We look forward to seeing you there. Stop by and say hello! It’s a free concert; donations are welcome and encouraged. Future concerts in 2023, same time same place: Sundays March 5 and June 4.