about nbco
In order to present classical music in a different and exciting way that expands and explodes the conventions of the genre, we offer a new vision. It’s called "Reframing Classical Music." Our goal is to redefine the "norms" of classical chamber music. We begin by programming our concerts around a specific theme or idea.
The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra performs music that matters, whether it was written in the Middle Ages or sometime next year, in the heart of Old Europe or the new conservatories of East Asia.
Since its founding a over half century ago, the group has evolved into a professional ensemble of 16 to 26 musicians that tackles some of the biggest assignments possible for chamber orchestras. Its repertoire runs the gamut from Handel’s “Messiah” and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” to John Adams' "Shaker Loops" or Mohammed Fairouz’ “Named Angels”. Under the direction of our new Artistic Director, Dr. Julia Baumanis, the orchestra’s focus is on balance: presenting the full-spectrum of classical music from timeless masterworks to works by living composers, including commissions. In collaboration with the Composers Guild of New Jersey, we anticipate the world premiere of a major new work every year along with a smaller piece by an emerging composer.
The NBCO likes a challenge. It favors brilliant, exciting music that stretches performers and surprises audiences. In recent seasons the ensemble has tackled Sebastian Currier’s “Next Atlantis” for string orchestra and the recorded sounds of post-Katrina New Orleans, Arvo Pärt’s haunting “Fratres” and Astor Piazzola’s rollicking new classic “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”. Pieces that are vital and relevant that connect with our audience.
The orchestra is a mobile ensemble as comfortable at a local church as in the historic State Theatre or the intimate Crossroads stage. Throughout the year, or principle players from into chamber groups to perform breakout recitals at Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum, The Tavern at East Jersey Old Towne Village and other alternative spaces in New Brunswick. The orchestra calls this initiative “Reframing Classical Music” because it seeks a deeper connection to the visual and plastic arts. And the NBCO has had thrilling collaborations in recent seasons with nearby dance troupes and choral groups. More are planned.
As concert musicians we have inherited a tradition, but we are not constrained by it. Our music has few boundaries and many possibilities: multimedia, minimalism, dance, film and theater. Come and see what you think.
Artistic Director: Maestra Julia Baumanis is excited to be the newly appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra.
She is a conductor and music educator that has dedicated the last 17 years to empowering the people within her ensembles. An avid advocate for new works, Maestra Baumanis has premiered the works of chamber and large ensembles, giving voice to new music throughout a variety of performance settings. A collaborative conductor, Maestra Baumanis frequently invites guest artists as featured soloists on her programs, including Dr. Elena Chernova-Davis (violin) prizewinner of the Aleksander Glazunov International Competition, Grammy nominated Conrad Herwig (trombone) of Rutgers Jazz, and Kenneth DeCarlo (trumpet) formally of the New York Philharmonic.
A graduate of The Florida State University College of Music, Maestra Baumanis received her bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education, her master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting, and her PhD in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting and has studied under the batons of Richard Clary, Patrick Dunnigan, and Alexander Jimenez. Prior to graduate school, she taught public school in south Florida as the Associate Director of Bands and Orchestras at J.P. Taravella High School and the Director of Orchestras at Ramblewood Middle School. She also served as chamber music coordinator and program manager of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra and got her first “orchestral” start with the founding of the Miami based “Hip Hop Symphony,” which was a collaborative performance ensemble incorporating a chamber orchestra, a heavy metal rock band, and an improvisatory dance troop.
Maestra Baumanis currently serves Assistant Professor of Professional Practice on the Conducting and Music Education faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts and is the first female conductor in the university’s history. Her duties include serving as the Assistant Director of University Bands, the Conductor of the Rutgers Symphony Band, Assistant Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Director of Pep Bands, and teaching courses in instrumental music education. Prior to this appointment, Maestra Baumanis served on the conducting faculty at the University of Central Missouri. She also serves within the music community as a member of the Education and Repertoire Committee for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), as Design Editor for The Woman Conductor, and as co-author of GO ON, Tell Your Story: Voices of Women Band Directors, a publication which highlights the shared experiences of 100 women conductors (set for publication in Fall 2023).
An active performer, educator, and researcher, Maestra Baumanis frequently is invited to guest conduct All State and Area Honor ensemble and has presented her research nationally, including at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the NAfME Research Symposium, the CBDNA National Conference, and the Desert Skies Music Education Research Symposium. Most recently, her research has focused on developing a conductor’s baton that records data collected from a conductor’s expressive gestures. She hopes to implement this technology in the conducting classroom as a technological tool to assist beginning conductors in developing their craft.
She is very excited to be welcomed by the NBCO family and has already hit the ground running with the board on the development of the mission and outreach of the orchestra. Her goals for NBCO are to serve a larger population within the New Brunswick area, including educational outreach performances for the area schools, collaborative projects with area composers, and larger concerts for the community.
The Board of The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra
John Semmlow, Ph.D., President of the Board
Robin Connerat, Treasurer
Wayne Anderson, Finance
Andrea Cunnell, Development
Jan Reinhart, Public Relations
Barry Dusault, Information Officer
Elaine Strauss, Media Liaison