| 1983 |
WSO debuts on June 4 with opera in concert performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio to audience of over 1000 |
| 1984 |
First Board of Trustees appointed and Brad Keimach becomes Music Director |
| 1986 |
WSO debuts at Carnegie Hall |
| 1988 |
WSO performs at the opening of the NJ State Legislature |
| 1993 |
WSO named “Distinguished Arts Organization” by NJ State Council on the Arts |
| 1994 |
WSO Commissions Westfield Fanfare by David Sampson for the Westfield Bicentennial concert |
| 1995 |
WSO receives first grant from National Endowment for the Arts |
| 1996 |
WSO’s 100th concert |
| 1997 |
Maestro David Wroe appointed as Music Director |
| 1999 |
WSO receives NJ Governor’s Award for Excellence |
| 2000 |
Appointed Orchestra in Residence at UnionCounty Arts Center |
| 2001 |
September 11 Memorial Concert featuring Leon Fleisher |
| 2002 |
Reserved seating introduced |
| 2004 |
Collaborations with New York City Opera begin |
| 2005 |
Star Ledger describes WSO as “the leading professional freelance orchestra in the State of NJ”. Established Residency at PNC Center |
| 2006 |
World premiere of The New Colossus Inaugural concerts of SOPAC Virtuosi |
| 2007 |
Carnegie Hall collaboration with UN/Wallenberg Foundation to present world premiere of Robert Cohen’s Of Eternity as a Closed System New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) awards its highest and most prestigious honor, the Citation of Excellence, to WSO in recognition of WSO’s exhibition of “the highest standards of excellence in its artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of special Council interest” |
2007
2008
2009
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NJ State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) awards its highest and most prestigious honor, the Citation of Excellence, to the WSO in recognition of WSO’s exhibition of “the highestnstandards of excellence in its artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of special council interest.” The WSO has won this award for three consecutive years. |
| 2008 |
WSO Silver Anniversary, Stars of Tomorrow concerto competition begins |
| 2009 |
WSO Lincoln Center debut with Teatro Grattacielo at Avery Fischer Hall |
| 2010 |
WSO designated "distinguished Arts Organization" by NJSCA for 5th consecutive season.
On-line ticketing introduced. |
| 2011 |
WSO partners with NPNJ to create MUSICA MORRISTOWN
WSO designated "distinguished Arts Organization" by NJSCA |
| 2012 |
David Wroe celebrates 15 years as WSO Music Director.
WSO 30th anniversary season |
| 2013 |
Westfield Symphony Orchestra becomes New Jersey Festival Orchestra.
The new name reflects transition to a truly regional orchestra and broader appeal to a wider geographical audience.
|
| 2014 |
Establishes residency at Drew University, Madison.
Debuts "Listening is Healing" programs for NJ Hospitals.
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| 2015 |
NJFO becomes a house orchestra for MPAC, Morristown.
Establishes mentoring and residency programs at Newark Arts High School.
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| 2016 |
Presents world premiere of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue arranged with new choral dimension by Michael Fenelly.
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| 2017 |
Listening is healing program expands to Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
David Wroe celebrates 20 years as NJFO Music Director.
NJFO 35th anniversary.
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