What we do
At the Jersey City Philharmonic Orchestra (JCPO), our mission is to bring the beauty of authentic classical music to the residents of Jersey City. Founded in 2016 by Chief Executive Director David Song, JCPO has quickly become an indispensable part of Jersey City's vibrant cultural landscape.
We believe in the power of music to inspire, connect, and transcend boundaries. While our primary focus is on classical music, we deeply respect and appreciate all genres of music. We recognize the diverse musical interests within our community and strive to incorporate a wide range of musical styles and genres in our programming.
We fulfill our mission by offering unparalleled quality performances that are affordable and accessible to all. Through our concerts, we strive to create a captivating musical experience that touches the hearts of our audience members, whether they are avid classical music enthusiasts or enjoy other genres as well.
But our work extends beyond the stage. JCPO is committed to fostering education and community engagement. We provide valuable opportunities for emerging professional musicians to showcase their talent and grow their careers. Additionally, we offer community youth programs that introduce young individuals to the world of music and help them develop their artistic abilities, exploring various genres along the way.
Volunteerism is at the core of our organization. We encourage and welcome individuals who are passionate about music and community to join us in making a difference. By volunteering with JCPO, you can contribute your time and skills to support our various initiatives and programs, which embrace the richness and diversity of musical expressions.
JCPO is proud to be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This status allows us to operate with the utmost transparency and ensures that every donation we receive directly supports our mission and vision.
Embark on this musical journey with us as we celebrate the power of music in all its forms. Together, we can create a harmonious community that respects and embraces the beauty and diversity of genres, fostering a love for music that transcends boundaries and enriches the lives of Jersey City residents.
2016
The Jersey City Philharmonic Orchestra gave its inaugural performance at City Hall in May, 2016, successfully featuring classical favorites under the direction of world-renowned conductor Nanse Gum and in collaboration with the City of Jersey City.
The program includes:
▸ E. Grieg – 3 Movements from Holberg Suite, Op. 40
▸ Vivaldi – Four Seasons, “Summer”
▸ Piazzolla – Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, “Summer”
▸ W. A. Mozart Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201
Artistic Director, Nanse Gum
Nanse Gum, is a South Korea conductor.
In 1977, he was the first Korean to win the prize at the Herbert von Karajan Conductors' Competition in Berlin. He is currently general director and artistic director of the Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra and Hankyung Philharmonic Orchestra. He is the founder and artistic director of New World Philharmonic Orchestra. He also served as the Principal of Seoul Arts High School.
1977 :
In 1977, he was the first Korean to win the prize at the Herbert von Karajan Conductors' Competition in Berlin.
1980 :
Since returning home in 1980, he was appointed as the conductor of KBS Symphony Orchestra for 12
years.
1992 :
In 1992, he moved to Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra.
2015 :
In September 2015, Gum was also appointed as the
Principal Guest Conductor of Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Under his dynamic leadership, the orchestra has rapidly gained prominence in the national music scene through innovative programs that appeal to music lovers of all generations, Apart from New World Philharmonic, he served as the Artistic Director of Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra (2006-2010) and Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra (2010 – 2014) consecutively.
His creative ideas and new approaches to classical music are well reflected in his concerts and they are not limited to traditional concert halls.
He strongly believes that musicians should extend their talents to the audience regardless of venues.
In the past, Gum organized a series of concerts in places such as POSCO Center in Seoul.
In the lobby of POSCO Center, Gum and Euro-Asian Philharmonic gave sold-out concerts with programs that included complete Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms Symphonies.
Thanks to Gum, POSCO Center’s lobby are is now considered as new kind of cultural venue in Seoul. It seems only natural that he is widely recognized as a musician who contributed significantly in popularizing classical music and making it more accessible to a wider audience in Korea.
During the past few years, Gum has been active as a festival director.
The “Music Isle Festival in Jeju” (since 2005) and the “Manhattan Chamber Music Festival” (since 2012) have successfully testified how he could inspire people with the magic of chamber music.
In addition, the “Music Isle Festival in Jeju” joined the European Festivals Association (EFA) in 2010.
For years, Gum has been devoting himself to discover many gifted young musicians and he considers this as one of his most important roles. Gum regularly conducts Korea United College Orchestra (KUCO) which consists of non-music major students from 25 universities nationwide. He also conducts Korean Youth Dream Orchestra (KYDO) which consists of young, music-loving adolescents from 25 small provincial towns once a year.
Currently, Gum is the Artistic Director of Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra and Hankyung Philharmonic Orchestra since 2015.
He was also appointed as the Principal Guest Conductor of Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra in September 2015.
The JCPO started its outreach program by initiating the Honors Musician Program.
Area students were invited to rehearse and play a concert with the JCPO staff members. This is a unique opportunity for the students to share a music making experience with some of the Jersey City Philharmonic Orchestra’s finest musicians. The students and the music director are given special recognition by honoring Presidential Award Program by JCPO.
2017
The JCPO expanded our outreach program to include small group performances.
These small groups are sent into the community to various senior living centers, nursing homes, churches, and other venues and events throughout the area.
These small chamber groups bring live performances to those who might not otherwise be able to get out to a full concert.
2018
In 2018, the JCPO became a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) to honor our most outstanding volunteers and recognize the impact they make.
2019
The Jersey City Philharmonic Orchestra returned to City Hall on September 14, 2019 for a free performance featuring a variety of genres of world music.
The program, presented in collaboration with the city, is themed “Harmony of Global Citizenship” to celebrate the power of music in bringing people together and focusing on community and humanity in light of the 9/11 anniversary.
The orchestra, conducted by JCPO's music director Jinhwan Kim, played in the restored council chambers and featured 25 musicians including tenor Simon Kim, soprano Erica Moon, and violinist Jae Young Bea. The program presented selections such as T. Vitali’s "Chaconne for Violin and Continuo in G minor"; Mozart’s "Symphony No. 25 in G minor"; Maksim Mrvica’s "Croatian Rhapsody"; and a variety of pop and other works.
2020
The JCPO performed tribute for late councilman Michael Yun and all the people affected by Covid-19, spreading peace and hope.
2021
The JCPO presented a heartfelt performance titled "Remembering Michael Yun & Standing Together Against COVID-19" to honor those impacted by the pandemic.
Jersey City is a city in New Jersey, northeast of the United States and is the third largest city in the New York Metropolitan area, behind New York City and Newark.
Located in northeastern New Jersey, off the Hudson River, New York's satellite city borders Manhattan.
Known as the nation’s “Golden Door” for its proximity to Ellis Island, one of busiest early sites for immigration, Jersey City is home to over 265,000 residents.
Jersey City was settled in the 17th century by the Dutch, and has since been highly industrialized and developed into a major transportation center.
Jersey City has transformed into a vibrant, modern urban community that greatly emphasizes diversity and growth.
Located less than one kilometer from New York City, it's a cultural destination for people from all over the world, food, and an emerging arts district, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Within the last decades, the redevelopment of the Jersey City waterfront has made the city one of the largest centers of banking and finance in the United States and has led to the district and city being nicknamed “Wall Street West.”