Education & Outreach
Studies show that there are demonstrable intellectual, social and emotional benefits from exposure to the wonders and enchantment of classical music. NJFO has developed, and continues to refine, exciting and interactive programs to take the joy of music to underserved populations, present music education programs for children, and bring music therapy programs to hospitals and hospices.
These educational, healing and community initiatives foster a love of music and a lifetime of involvement with the musical arts.
NJFO education and outreach programs are made possible through the support of many generous individual, foundation, corporate, and governmental funding partners.
To participate in or learn more about NJFO outreach activities or to support NJFO outreach programs please call 908-232-9400.
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NJFO Music Caravan
This highly interactive program takes orchestral or operatic repertoire out of the concert hall and directly into open educational environments, libraries, nursing homes and other off-site locations.
This adventure in music is personally led by the orchestra's internationally acclaimed Music Director, David Wroe. The musical presentation is customized according to age level and attention span. NJFO musicians present short, suitable examples of the orchestral repertoire and/or pieces specifically designed for educational outreach and motivation.
NJFO violinist Evelyn Esteva coaches the sounds of strings to Newark elementary school students.
The mission of John F. Kennedy School is to provide special education for children with autism, multiple disabilities, and cognitive impairment. NJFO performances here include student involvement through singing, clapping, and personal interaction with the artists.
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Elementary school children are given an up close and personal view of Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel, together with a question and answer and meet and greet with performers.
Maestro Wroe narrates Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.
From early childhood through the teen years, NJFO concerts for young people nurture a lifelong love of music and concert going. Students are invited to see and hear all of the instrument families (strings, winds, brass, and percussion) together at exciting, live orchestral performances. These interactive concerts for young people are regularly acclaimed by educators for their ability to inspire students and motivate learning.
Concerts for Young People
NJFO Mentoring Program
NJFO musicians teach, coach and mentor orchestra students through a series of individual and group classes over a period of months. The interaction of our musicians with the students in the privacy of the classroom setting is the highlight of our program. The experience gives young musicians the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform with their NJFO counterparts.
Students from Newark Arts High School regularly participate in Master Classes led by David Wroe and NJFO musicians culminating in a “side-by-side” performance at school spring and winter concerts.
Listening is Healing
Coordinated with the music therapy programs of hospitals, NJFO’s Listening is Healing uses music as part of the rehabilitative and palliative care process. NJFO ensembles perform specifically selected music for patients in oncology wards, at private visitor congregating areas associated with the cancer wards and in general hospital gathering areas. The performance methods used are based on research developed to increase both qualitative healing as well as positive patient experience.
Listening is Healing is supported, in part, by a generous gift of the Head Family Foundation.
NJFO musicians work in Morristown Hospital throughout the year playing music for patients, their families, and hospital staff members. The program began in the oncology wards, and has now expanded to also include other areas of the hospital per the requests of patients and administrators there.
To participate in or learn more about NJFO outreach activities or to support NJFO outreach programs please call 908-232-9400.