In Partnership with Monmouth University and Monmouth University Center for the Arts, the Garden State Philharmonic, under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor Diane Wittry, presents “Strike Up the Band!”, a brass and percussion ensemble as part of the 2021 Monmouth Summer Music and Arts Festival. This virtual event features a program exploring the progression through various eras of American music and the brass band, including genres such as Civil War marches, ragtime, New Orleans jazz, and jazz. Liam Frank, Operations Manager of the Garden State Philharmonic notes, “We’re really thrilled to be part of this event with Monmouth University and Monmouth Center for the Arts. The collaborative nature of the GSP’s partnership with Monmouth has helped facilitate an exciting program and has provided a magnificent stage for the talented musicians performing in our program. As an alumnus, I have always known Monmouth to foster a deep appreciation for the arts, and for our organization to participate in their festival with so many other distinguished artists and creators for a second straight year is a massive honor.”
The 2021 Monmouth Summer Music and Arts Festival is a virtual, streamed event, and will take place on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 7:00 pm. This event is free (suggested donation of $10) with all registration through Monmouth Center for the Arts (Registration link: https://www.monmouth.edu/mca/festival/). This event is presented by Monmouth University.
Pieces by several important composers are featured in the program for this event, including W.C. Handy, Cole Porter, Scott Joplin, and Duke Ellington (Full Program link: https://gardenstatephilharmonic.org/event/virtual-event-garden-state-philharmonic-and-monmouth-university-present-strike-up-the-band) . Additionally, the festival features a special reading by Pulitzer Prize winner and former United States Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, and performances by the Monmouth University Chamber Choir and the Blue Hawk House Band.
Garden State Philharmonic (GSP), a professional orchestra based at the Jersey Shore, has been bringing music to the residents of New Jersey for over 65 years. Under the artistic leadership of Conductor Diane Wittry, the GSP has expanded their concert season and is now performing in Essex and Monmouth Counties, as well as Ocean County.
The GSP would like to thank all of our generous sponsors, including Ocean County, NJ and Freeholders, the Ocean County Library Foundation, the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Rotem Dental Care, the OceanFirst Foundation, Kiwanis of Greater Toms River, Ocean County College, Design 446, Discover Jersey Arts, Investors Bank, Narcissus Florals, The Rea Charitable Trust, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, The Presser Foundation, South Jersey Cultural Alliance, and ArtPride New Jersey.