By Jill Aguayo, Executive Director, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey
For the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey (CPNJ), classical music is more than a performance—it’s a mission to revitalize and uplift the Trenton community, our home. As one of the few orchestras in the region dedicated to making music accessible to all, CPNJ brings high-quality programming and meaningful outreach to Trenton and Mercer County, New Jersey. We strive to make classical music a vibrant part of Trenton’s cultural life and create meaningful educational opportunities for our youth.
Our Mission is Rooted in Community
CPNJ was founded on the belief that a symphony orchestra can be a unifying force for a community. We are committed to sharing classical music with those who may not otherwise experience it live. Our mission is clear: to inspire the next generation, foster a love for music, and bridge cultural gaps through music. With a focus on reaching our diverse communities, we introduce students and families to classical music early, nurturing potential future musicians and lifelong arts enthusiasts.
Engaging Programming
Our 2024-2025 season exemplifies our dedication to excellence and accessibility. Highlights include an Opening Night featuring excerpts from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with a full choir, as part of an American Stories concert celebrating American culture. On New Year’s Eve, we continue Trenton’s time-honored tradition of a festive concert to ring in the New Year. Chamber music concerts throughout the season showcase diverse classical pieces and are performed in various venues and churches in Trenton’s neighborhoods – bringing music to people where they live as well as bringing people to visit the diverse neighborhoods of Trenton. Our season culminates with a Mother’s Day family concert designed to welcome audiences of all ages.
Our programs aren’t limited to the concert hall; we engage students in local schools, offering free concert tickets to students and their families, knowing that community involvement starts with an invitation to experience something new. One student who came to the concert told me that she felt so special when she got to see the conductor and the soprano performing on-stage after she’d met them at her school! She was eager to talk to them in the lobby after the concert and asked if she could come back for future concerts.
Outreach and Education: Cultivating the Next Generation
Our educational initiatives, supported by grants and partners, inspire students of all backgrounds. In recent years, we’ve organized school visits by notable musicians, singers, dancers and artists. Our annual Mary Roebling Youth Concerto Competition encourages young musicians to pursue excellence by giving the winner the opportunity to perform with our orchestra. Last year’s winner was 14-year-old Elizabeth Song. Her performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was so stunning that even the security guard at the event was in tears. The audience and orchestra collectively felt that they were witnessing the beginning of a very promising future for Ms. Song!
Building a Sustainable Future
Since 2022, CPNJ has begun laying the groundwork for future growth. We’ve been able to hire an Executive Director and a Marketing Manager to work closely with our hard-working and dedicated board of trustees to diversify our revenue streams, including building our audience and obtaining grants and sponsorships to build long-term sustainability. Last year we were the recipients of an award from the Mary G. Roebling Foundation, earmarked to start an endowment. This is a milestone in our journey, giving us the confidence to move forward with our long-term goals of expanding our community and educational outreach, which are outlined below in the “what’s next” section. With our partners, we are working hard to strengthen our infrastructure and planning to increase the endowment for the stability of our programs for years to come.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, CPNJ is exploring partnerships with local colleges to establish internships, giving students hands-on experience in arts management, box office operations, and social media. We also have plans to create more educational opportunities by expanding our outreach sessions. In addition, we are also in the planning stages of creating a composition competition for youth.
For those of us at the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, music is more than an art form; it is a way to connect, inspire, and transform. We look forward to continuing our mission, fostering a love for classical music, and making a lasting impact in Trenton with the help of The Presser Foundation and our dedicated supporters.
