New community orchestra in East Brunswick 'just brings everybody together'

EAST BRUNSWICK – This Fourth of July's municipal fireworks will have a little something extra with every pyrotechnic burst – the East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra (EBSO) will be leading the rockets’ red glare with live music.

The nonprofit EBSO was founded late last year, held its first concert six weeks later to a sold-out audience, and most recently participated in the traveling Vietnam Veterans' Wall visit over Memorial Day weekend, East Brunswick Art Coalition’s Queens Ball and the East Brunswick Spring Market.

Under the direction of Nate White and in partnership with the East Brunswick Recreation and Parks Department, the EBSO hopes the fireworks performance is one of many more to come, said Cheryl Brass, EBSO creator and executive director.

"This is all for the community," Brass said. "At the end of the day, that's all I ever hoped it could be. And it's already surpassed my expectations."

The goal of the EBSO is simple ? continue the township's legacy of music. East Brunswick schools are renowned for its strong music program, Brass said, but realistically, most student musicians do not become professionals. She, like many others, believes the years of daily practices and love for music should continue to have an outlet for their passion.

"And this is the best way to get everybody in the same room, speaking the common language of music and enjoying the experience," she said. "It's so powerful to have that impactful experience of playing with somebody else there. You don't need words, just the music on the page and the feelings that it evokes. You can't find that anywhere else."

A dedication to music does not need to end at graduation

This new recreational music program aims to not only provide "high-quality musical performances," but educational experiences and opportunities as well, including a Community Sinfonia and adult music classes. The EBSO is a professional ensemble, said Brass, while the Community Sinfonia is open to nonprofessional musicians. In the future, Brass envisions chamber ensembles "fun" fundraisers and collaborative efforts with other municipal organizations.

The first adult music class for string players, taught by former East Brunswick schools music teacher Anna Braun, kicked off this spring. More instrumental refresher classes are in development.

"Now, there is no gap from when someone graduates. It’s very special to have a township-based community orchestra program in East Brunswick as there aren’t any recreational music programs and community ensembles like this in Middlesex County," said Brass, who is a former public school music teacher. "I've been playing violin since I was five ? the Suzuki method. I got my master’s from Northwestern University and went to Crane School of Music (Potsdam, New York). I played on the Carnegie Hall stage and played at Disney World, and I've done the traveling orchestras and fell in love with teaching music. I took it as far as I could, in that sense. Now I teach privately."

But Brass realized she was missing "something" ? and that something was playing music for herself. Since raising two musical sons ? Zach, 14, a cellist turned vocalist, and Josh, 11, who plays trombone ? and teaching private violin and viola lessons, Brass had stopped playing. The idea for an orchestra popped into her head after a run, she said.

"I have been wanting to play for a little while," Brass said. "When you're teaching, it's different skills than playing. I think I just needed an outlet to play myself and realized I'm not alone."

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There is so much support ? and rightly so ? for youth in music in the township, Brass said, but once graduated, it's a bit of a desert. And Brass is quick to point out that this occurs everywhere, in every municipality.

"Music is so much a part of the student musicians' lives for so many years," she said. "And there's ample opportunity for youth in this town. Youth orchestras. Traveling orchestras. There's nothing for adults. And I wanted to play with my friends. So if you want it, you have to build it."

Figuring many musicians felt as she did, Brass put out feelers. Would there be interest in musicians getting together to play and foster a love of music ? as adults? Would the township be interested in partnering with such an endeavor?

The answer was a definite "Yes."

Brass, who is a member of the East Brunswick Film Task Force and the East Brunswick Arts Commission, was informed that this project would best fit with the Parks and Recreation Department. They welcomed the music program with open arms, she said.

Providing opportunity to play

The idea was so well received that Brass was asked if she could launch the program with a concert in six weeks’ time. That would take professionals, so Brass reached out to White, who she knew from her tenure as a music teacher.

"It was not really my intention of creating a professional orchestra. It was more music education, adult music performance, but when this opportunity came to put on a concert and to start this organization, he was my first phone call," Brass said. "And thank God he said 'Yes.'"

A conductor, double bass player and music educator, White, who grew up in Piscataway, came on as EBSO's artistic director. As a soloist, White has performed with several orchestras in the tri-state area. In 1999, he won the Grand Prize of the NJ ASTA State Solo Competition and in 2008 he won the Montclair State University Concerto Competition. He is a double bass professor at Montclair State University, co-founder and artistic director of the Freelance Ensemble Artists of NJ, and conductor of the FEA Symphony, among others.

As White has a network of people who answer his call, they soon had more than enough volunteers for an orchestra concert. The EBSO premiere in January, which featured a mix of classical works and pop tunes, was a sold-out success with 65 musicians and 200 people in attendance.

"We did that entire concert with one rehearsal ? the second one was snowed out ? it was really remarkable," said Brass, who added her former high school music teacher also played in the premier concert. "There were a lot of full circle moments."

Like future performances, Brass said the music choices reflected a mix of styles and genres.

"We want it to be where all walks of life will find something that they enjoy," she said. "Nate is a wonderful storyteller, and a very, very talented musician and he knows how to speak to the audience and curate his performances so that they people feel they're fully part of the concert even as a listener. He makes it fun and accessible."

Brass had emcee duties and did not perform musically in the EBSO debut, but she played at the Market event in June. That was "amazing," she said.

Music fosters the opportunity to bring people together

The String Refresher class for violin, viola, cello and bass was aimed at musicians who may have last played their instrument in high school. Brass said the response was inspiring.

"Some of these people hadn't played in 20 years," she said. "And I witnessed as the muscle memory just came right back. People were beaming. They are thanking us for the opportunity. That's been the one of the unintended surprising things that makes me feel so grateful ? having the opportunity to foster music and bring it back to people."

This fall, Brass intends to launch the Community Sinfonia, an orchestra for musicians of all skill levels, 18 and up. Auditions will be announced soon, she added. Three concerts between September and June are planned.

"Because of the talent we have in East Brunswick, it's going to be a very high class," Brass said. "It's not necessarily going to be professionals, but there will be professionals in it who want to hang, who want to play. This is for anyone who wants to play. I fully intend on playing in the Community Sinfonia."

EBSO works collaboratively with the East Brunswick Arts Commission, East Brunswick Arts Coalition, Playhouse 22, EBTV, and is a member of the East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"I really enjoy being part of this town, part of the arts culture, and working towards the expansion of the community art center, which already has Playhouse 22," Brass said. "And the board members of the East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra happen to be very involved volunteers themselves ? it's all people that are invested in East Brunswick. I was happy they accepted to be on our board because of their passion for this town and for the arts. And I think that's why we've been so successful so quickly. And it's going to grow. We are hoping to make East Brunswick a destination for the arts. I think going forward, people should know to expect fun programs, excellent festivals and opportunities for commerce, as well as opportunities to play, get involved and have fun."

The project is as inclusive as possible, Brass said. It's all about providing opportunity.

"That's what music can do," she said. "It just brings everybody together."

The East Brunswick Fireworks Spectacular will take place on July 4 beginning at 6 p.m. with fireworks commencing after dark. The free event will feature the EBSO performing patriotic and classic favorites before and during the fireworks as well as food trucks, DJ Nick Devine, children's entertainers and family-friendly activities.

The EBSO welcomes donations and patrons to help support its many projects. Sponsorship opportunities also are available.

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Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra playing July 4 fireworks