David Chan
The Montclair Orchestra has formally announced its inaugural season, consisting of five concerts at venues throughout Montclair, New Jersey. The inaugural concert will take place on October 22nd at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. An orchestra of 80 musicians will present an ambitious program of Operatic Connections, an homage to new Music Director David Chan’s background as concertmaster for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in Manhattan.
The orchestra selected Saint Luke’s Church as the venue for the first concert in recognition of the roots of the orchestra in Montclair. Nearly one hundred years ago, the first Montclair Orchestra was organized by musicians at Saint Luke’s, with performances including a 1922 event at Montclair Art Museum. Soon after, the orchestra merged with other music groups in the area, ultimately moving to Newark and becoming the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, now the largest professional orchestra in the state.
The Montclair Orchestra was established to provide orchestral music to Montclair, New Jersey and the surrounding communities. Comprised of professional, conservatory, and highly trained amateur musicians, the Montclair Orchestra endeavors to perform a wide range of music from the baroque through modern works, including new works by talented composers at local music conservatories and in the surrounding area.
