Joshua Gersen to Lead the Adelphi Orchestra in NYC Benefit Concert 6/11

Joshua Gersen, New York Philharmonic Assistant Conductor will guest conduct the Adelphi Orchestra in a sumptuous concert of French masterworks on June 11th at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City. Adelphi Orchestra's benefit concert for the orchestra's Young Artist Program "Une Fête en France" will showcase a former Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition winner as guest soloist and will recognize the former winners and current finalists of the Adelphi Orchestra's Young Artist Program. The concert's goal is to generate funds to support future outstanding young musicians through the Young Artist Program's endeavors.

Featured as guest soloist, the 2015--16 Adelphi Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner, sixteen year old Nathan Meltzer will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring Chausson's Poème for Violin and Orchestra in E flat major, Op. 25, Waxman's Carmen Fantasie and Poulenc's Sinfonietta. Laureate at the 2017 Windsor Festival International String Competition, Nathan has played solo violin with the Berliner Symphoniker, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony performing in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Israel, the U.K., and across the U.S.

As music director of the New York Youth Symphony Joshua Gersen shares a great affinity with the Adelphi Orchestra and it's Young Artist Program's mission. Mr. Gersen made his conducting debut at age 11 with the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra and his professional conducting debut five years later when he led the Greater Bridgeport Symphony in a performance of his own composition, A Symphonic Movement. Mr. Gersen is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied conducting with the esteemed Otto Werner Mueller and the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Michael Gandolfi.

Mr. Gersen's recent "surprise" NYC performance with the New York Philharmonic won both praise and critical attention. As Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic Mr. Gersen was called upon on hours' notice to fill in for Semyon Bychkov who had fallen ill. The concert was highlighted in the New York Times.

Mr. Gersen has held the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Conducting Fellow of the New World Symphony, where he served as the assistant conductor to the symphony's Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas, and led the orchestra in various subscription, education, and family concerts, including the orchestra's renowned PULSE concert series. He made his conducting debut with the San Francisco Symphony in the fall of 2013 and has been invited back numerous times, including this past year where led a program in the brand new SoundBox Theater and even filled in for Michael Tilson Thomas on part of a subscription series. Mr. Gersen was the winner of the Aspen Music Festival's prestigious 2011 Aspen Conducting Prize and the 2010 Robert J. Harth Conducting Prize, and served as the festival's assistant conductor for the 2012 summer season under Robert Spano. He served as the principal conductor of the renowned Ojai Music Festival in 2013, and also has conducted the Indianapolis Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony. He was also a recipient of a 2015 and 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award.

Beyond his conducting interests, Mr. Gersen is also an avid composer. Both his String Quartet #1 and Fantasy for Chamber Orchestra have been premiered in New England Conservatory's celebrated Jordan Hall. He has had works performed by the New Mexico Symphony, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, and frequently with the GBYO. His work as a composer has also led to an interest in conducting contemporary music. He has conducted several world premieres of new works with the both the New World Symphony and New York Youth Symphony, and has collaborated with many prominent contemporary composers including John Adams, Christopher Rouse, Steven Mackey, Mason Bates, and Michael Gandolfi.

Now in its 14th year, the Adelphi Young Artist Program has contributed to the development of over 1,000 young musicians. Competition finalists selected from each year's field of contestants in string, woodwinds and piano competition categories are invited to perform before a public audience. First place winners are afforded the opportunity to perform in concert with the Adelphi Orchestra. For the past half-decade competition finals have been held in New York City. Recently Adelphi Orchestra's Young Artist Showcase Concerts have gained even greater prestige as featured events in "Discover Jersey Arts Month" during the month of October .

"Une fête en France" will honor the 2016-2017 Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition finalists and past winners in a brief ceremony. Distinguished Adelphi Orchestra Young Artists include First Place winners Nathan Meltzer (2015) Ari Boutris, Violin, Ming Nga Cheung, Piano (2014); Dylan Wu, Cello (2013); Anton Rist, Clarinet, Brieuc Vourch, Violin (2012); Jennifer Choi, Cello 2010; Lindy Tsai, Cello 2009: Ethan Siegel, Violin 2008; Philo Lee, Cello (2007); Christina Hughes, Flute (2006); Daniel Baer, Piano (2005)

Celebrating its 64th Season, the Adelphi Orchestra is a professional, non-profit orchestra presenting classical concerts celebrating symphonic, chamber, operatic and dance composers throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. For over a decade the Adelphi Orchestra has proudly sponsored an annual Young Artist Program and Young Artist Concert Series. The Adelphi Orchestra's concerts feature accomplished national and international guest soloists and distinguished conductors.

Nominated by its peers for the 2016 Jersey Arts People's Choice Award in the Favorite Orchestra/Symphony Division, the Adelphi Orchestra is a member of the League of Orchestras. It is northern New Jersey's longest continuously performing orchestra and a member of the New Jersey cultural community for 63 years. The mission of the Adelphi Orchestra is to serve the musical and educational needs of the citizens of New Jersey, with special emphasis given to families with young children, seniors and those with limited financial means. To further this end, numerous concerts are offered free of admission charges. The Adelphi Orchestra strives to advance the orchestral arts through education, commissions, community partnerships and its robust young artist programing. Within the orchestra, the company fosters a challenging and enjoyable environment where artistic excellence can flourish. Richard Owen serves as the Principal Conductor and Jason Tramm is the Artistic Advisor of the orchestra.

The Adelphi Orchestra presents

"Une Fete en France"

June 11, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center

Tickets: Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/une-fete-en-france-benefit-concert-for-the-young-artist-program-tickets-31140673593

Young Artist Program Donors ($50+) receive VIP Seats and an invitation to the Reception.

Click here for reception and Donor

Sponsorship Packages

Click here for Premium-Regular from the Merkin Hall Box office

Premium Tickets: $40

General Admission: $35

Student/Senior may be purchased at the Merkin Hall Box office

Purchase Premium/Regular on Merkin Hall Website

Senior*: $25

Students: $20