What a Capital idea!

The New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free outdoor concert this Saturday at 4 pm. In conjunction with Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, members of the orchestra will appear at the nearby Pavilion at Cadwalader Park. Daniel Spalding will conduct a 29-piece wind ensemble in an all-American program, including works by William Schuman, Richard Rodgers, Leroy Anderson, and John Philip Sousa.

Spalding has been the orchestra’s music director since its founding in 2013. He also directs the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble. His acclaimed recordings of music by American composers – including Trenton’s own George Antheil – have appeared on the Naxos, New World, Navona, and Vienna Modern Masters labels.

Earlier this week, Spalding was honored by the Trenton Symposium with a Joe Teti Prize for his and the orchestra’s contributions to Trenton. In particular, they were praised for being at the forefront of the careful reintroduction of the city’s cultural life during the coronavirus pandemic.

Accepting the award, Spalding outlined innovations that have kept the orchestra’s artistry accessible. “Maestro Minutes,” on the orchestra’s Facebook page, features recorded pieces with Spalding’s commentary. An ensemble of CPNJ strings has continued to perform indoors with masks and social distancing, while a woodwinds, brass, and percussion group has played at open-air events. In addition, a CPNJ string quartet was featured at Trenton’s Annual Art All Day festival.

Over the summer, Spalding and the orchestra were recorded at the historic 1867 Sanctuary Arts and Culture Center in Ewing. WWFM – The Classical Network will broadcast the recordings and an interview with Spalding, on October 2.

Cadwalader Park is located at West State Street and Parkside Avenue. The orchestra emphasizes that this is an outdoor event, and there will be plenty of room for social distancing. Right now, the weather for Saturday looks to be pleasant, with partly cloudy skies and a high of 78 degrees. However, in the event of rain, the concert will be rescheduled for Sunday at 4 pm. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and enjoy some local, live music-making.

For more information, visit capitalphilharmonic.org.