Special Presentations Events
Ben Folds with New Jersey Symphony
Ben Folds Performs His Greatest Hits
Ben Folds guest artist
Edwin Outwater conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer Ben Folds joins the New Jersey Symphony for a unique and unforgettable performance of music from across his career. Widely regarded as one of the major musical influences of our generation, Folds’ enormous body of genre-bending music includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. His latest album, 2023’s What Matters Most, is a blend of piano-driven pop rock songs, while his 2015 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra soared to #1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts. He released his first Christmas album in 2024 and last Fall recorded a live album slated for release in 2025 with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where he served for eight years as the first artistic advisor to the NSO.
Rick Steves’ Europe:
A Symphonic Journey
A Musical Journey of Rick Steves’ Travels Through Europe and its History
Rick Steves host
New Jersey Symphony
Usually you’ll find Rick Steves touring the great destinations of Europe. Now you can join him on a different journey: A Symphonic Journey. In this unique concert, Rick Steves teams up with the New Jersey Symphony for a performance that combines Europe’s most stirring romantic-era anthems with beautiful high-definition cinematography and Rick’s insights into European history.
Handel’s Messiah
New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition
Kedrick Armstrong conductor
Jessica Rivera soprano
Kelley O’Connor mezzo-soprano
Martin Bakari tenor
Kevin Short bass-baritone
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
“For unto us a Child is born.” Our glorious holiday tradition returns with this iconic masterpiece, a classical rendition of the greatest story ever told. The majestic music—including the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus”—rekindles the spirit of the holidays for first-time listeners and those who return each season.
2027 Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebration of the Year of the Goat
Naomi Woo conductor
Sophia Liu piano
New Jersey Symphony
Naomi Woo, Assistant Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, leads a festive evening that unites symphonic works, choral music, and dance. Experience amazing talent, vibrant energy, and a grand spectacle designed to delight audiences of all ages—a joyous celebration of renewal and community.