About Us

The Discovery Orchestra (TDO) began its life twenty-one years ago in Somerset County, New Jersey, as the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey, a professional freelance orchestra founded to bring live classical symphonic concerts to the growing population of that part of the state. In recent years our mission has evolved and changed.

The new mission of The Discovery Orchestra is to increase understanding and appreciation of orchestral and chamber music among adults and teens through music listening education in the concert hall and electronically, thereby perpetuating the life of musical masterworks.

Contemporary society trains us to use music primarily as a background while we multi-task. In addition to depriving many individuals of the incredibly moving experiences they might have from focusing their attention solely on music, this tendency likely contributes to the downtrend in audiences for live performances of professional symphony orchestras and other classical performing ensembles.

The good news is that studies have shown that giving one's complete attention to music positively impacts the mental and physical well-being of the listener - and not from classical music listening only, but from all the music one encounters through active listening. Armed with this knowledge, The Discovery Orchestra, under Artistic Director George Marriner Maull, offers the following programs: Discovery Concerts for adults and teens; Intimate Evenings and Musical Gardens, in-home chamber music recitals which include special Discovery Moments; outreach programs on music listening for underserved constituents; and Fall in Love with Music, music listening courses and presentations in adult school settings as well as pre-concert formats.

TDO locally serves residents of central and northern New Jersey as well as surrounding areas such as New York City, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. It is a priority of The Discovery Orchestra to provide complimentary and/or discount tickets to underserved constituencies for most programs.

The Discovery Orchestra has reached national and international audiences through broadcasts of its Emmy-nominated television show, Bach to the Future© through American Public Television. Since 1987, we have presented over 200 symphonic and chamber ensemble performances and over 60 outreach programs to various community partners. More than 3,000 adults annually participate in Maestro Maull's music listening courses or attend individual listening sessions.

Performance venues include: the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) in South Orange, and private residences in Somerset and Mercer Counties. The Discovery Orchestra receives underwriting from corporations, foundations, individuals and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA), a partner agency with the National Endowment for the Arts. We have been recognized with three Citations of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Audience Feedback

“I love Handel’s Messiah, and have had the chance to be in a choir that did this piece, and I was able to learn so much today that I had never noticed before.”   New York, NY

“Very enjoyable, liked the energy and also right level of teaching in my opinion.”   Somerville, NJ

“I enjoyed… I learned… I was enthralled!!!”   Short Hills, NJ

“I thought I knew the music well, but this concert opened my ears to many other layers of appreciation, enriching The Messiah listening experience.”   Anonymous

“I love the program and have definitely benefited by being guided through the active listening process. I have brought my 2 guitar playing teens with me today.”   Maplewood, NJ

“Wonderful concert – chorus is great – great diction; lecture very informative and fun!”   Mahwah, NJ

“Very, very beautiful performance. Like nothing I ever saw before. Thank you all.”   Newark, NJ

“Very interesting and informative despite my many years of listening to 33 rpms and DVDs as well as attending concerts by the NJSO and Boston Symphony.”   West Windsor, NJ

“We did not know when we walked into the concert hall that we were attending a musical tutorial. We thought it would be a regular concert of Messiah. I loved the Discovery process – our teacher was entertaining and enlightening. We’ll attend more in the future.”   West Orange, NJ

“Fascinating and informative, now I understand a little better why the Hallelujah Chorus brings tears to my eyes. Thank you.”   Anonymous.

“Bravo! Enjoyed thoroughly. Want to learn more about classical music.”   Anonymous.

“Great! Terrific sense of humor, and you really make the music come alive (for those with or without musical training.”   Summit, NJ

“This was an extraordinary learning experience for myself and my grandson (7 yrs. Old).”   Bronx, NY

“The conductor is very lively, he did a good job. The music is very enjoyable. I’d like to listen to another classical concert.”   New York, NY

“Was initially skeptical, but enjoyed very much!”   Franklin Lakes, NJ

www.njartscouncil.org

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

www.jerseyarts.com