Warren-based Orchestra on Journey of Discovery

Armed with a new set of goals—and a renewed commitment of support from the state of New Jersey—the members of The Discovery Orchestra are preparing for what may their most ambitious season ever.  

The orchestra, launched in 1986 as the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey, has dedicated itself to what began as an extension of its regular concert series: helping people gain a better appreciation of classical music.

"The first thing that happened, in the early '90s, we offered our first course in understanding music," Musical Director George Marriner Maull said. Though only attended by about a dozen people, requests for similar programs grew rapidly and by 1996, an entire concert performance was dedicated to helping audience members "discover" the hidden language in symphonic music.

Subsequently, the orchetsra's board recognized the importance—and unique position—such concerts provided, and eventually committed to regular such events.

Now, Maull's days are full of informative presentations—such as the one given July 18 at Warrenbrook Senior Center on the difference between duple and triple meter music, using Johann Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz and Gioachino Rossini's William Tell Overture to contrast the sounds.

If you don't know how to hear the difference—and didn't make it to the presentation—you might check out another facet of the orchestra's ongoing educational efforts: the Discover Chat series of videos on YouTube discussing various key aspects of music.

Or catch Maull at one of the many in-home chamber music events, school programs, pre-concert discussions before selected NJPAC Bank of America Overtures concert series performances, and other presentations he makes as he continues his crusade of musical appreciation.

"So, they may be small groups but I see about 2,000 people between September and May," Maull said.

The orchestra's biggest project is its TV shows, which began in 2001 with a performance and discussion at the NJPAC of the lasting vitality of Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. The presentation was recorded as "Bach to the Future" and aired on TV stations around the world after a premiere on Philadelphia's WHYY.

Part of the outreach means keeping a steady presence on social media networks like Facebook and Twitter—Tuesday, Maull tweeted an announcement about a rebroadcast of its latest show, "Discover Beethoven's Fifth," on a Charlotte, N.C., public TV station later in the day.

"Because of that interest, we pursued another project," Maull added. Soon, it was clear that was the direction for the orchestra, and "We've been moving in that direction ever since."

This spring, the board of directors of the non-profit orchestra determined to focus almost entirely on its educational programs, with an Oct. 23 performance at Drew University, "The Gypsy Brahms," planned as an examination of Brahm's use of gypsy musical themes in his compositions.

"Brahms traveled with a violinist, who was a gypsy and would play, of course, classical music but could also play all these gypsy songs as well," Maull said. "And he incorporated many of those ideas in his work—but you have to listen for it."

The "Discovery concerts," as the events are known, can include humor or other devices to try and get the audience to have what Maull called an "a-ha!" moment.

"We think it's an important thing to be doing—helping more people find that they can enjoy an emotional response to music," he said.

Last week, the orchestra learned the NJ Council on the Arts would continue its support of the group with a $25,000 grant. The funds pale in comparison to the orchestra's nearly $800,000 annual budget, most of which is provided by individual donors—but the state grant is appreciated and is helpful for the orchestra's ongoing mission.

In a time when music is often ubiquitous, playing in the background on TVs, MP3s and radios with little attention paid, the orchestra members recognize it's an uphill battle to get people to really listen.

"We have our work cut out for us," Maull said. 

An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported the orchestra would be filming the October concert. The orchestra will film its May 19, 2012, concert "Discover the Four Seasons" for broadcast.