Xian Zhang Conducts Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Kate Whitley's Speak Out For NJSO Opening Weekend

Music Director Xian Zhang leads Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the US premiere of Kate Whitley's Speak Out for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's 2018-19 opening weekend, October 5-7 in Newark and New Brunswick.

Performances take place on October 5 at 7:30 pm and October 7 at 3 pm at NJPAC in Newark and October 6 at 8 pm at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

The pairing of Beethoven's masterwork with Whitley's setting of Malala Yousafzai's speech to the United Nations advocating every girl's right to an education encapsulates many of the season's major themes, including diverse musical voices bridging cultures and traditions. The NJSO celebrates the voices of its own communities, through Newark Voices-a community choir based in Newark that will the Montclair State University Chorale, all under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan, for Beethoven's masterwork with Zhang. Vocal soloists include soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Bishop, tenor Lorenzo Decaro and baritone Reginald D. Smith Jr.

The New Jersey Youth Choruses, under the direction of Trish Joyce, and Montclair State University Singers sing text from Yousafzai's speech in Speak Out.

Zhang led the world premiere of Speak Out with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on International Women's Day in 2017. The Guardian wrote: "Kate Whitley's Speak Out honoured Malala [Yousafzai's] historic call for worldwide access to education; on the podium, Xian Zhang made the music blaze with colour."

The NJSO hosts an Opening Night Celebration, "Ode to Joy," on October 5 at NJPAC. Full gala information is available at njsymphony.org/openingnight.

The Orchestra presents #ChoraleYou, the first NJSO Accent event of the season, following the October 7 performance. Concertgoers can join members of the massed choirs to sing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," conducted by Buchanan. More information is available at njsymphony.org/choraleyou.

Concert tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase at njsymphony.org or 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

CONCERT PROGRAM

Zhang Conducts Beethoven 9

Fri, Oct 5, at 7:30 pm | NJPAC in Newark

Sat, Oct 6, at 8 pm | State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick

Sun, Oct 7, at 3 pm | NJPAC in Newark

Xian Zhang, conductor

Mary Elizabeth Williams, soprano

Elizabeth Bishop, mezzo-soprano

Lorenzo Decaro, tenor

Reginald D. Smith Jr., baritone

Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director

Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, director

Newark Voices | Heather J. Buchanan, conductor

New Jersey Youth Choruses | Trish Joyce, artistic director

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

KATE WHITLEY Speak Out (US Premiere)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, "Choral"

Additional concert information and artist bios are available at njsymphony.org/beethoven9.