Lift Every Voice with the New Jersey Wind Symphony
Voices of Heritage and Hope Take Center Stage as New Jersey Wind Symphony Brings a Landmark Concert to Ridgewood
February 6 @ 20:00 – 23:30
Northern New Jersey will experience an evening of sweeping sound and cultural resonance when the New Jersey Wind Symphony presents Lift Every Voice, a major concert event that unites classical excellence with powerful storytelling through music. Scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026, in Ridgewood, the performance is designed to honor the enduring legacy of Black composers while introducing audiences to contemporary voices shaping the future of American concert music.
More than a traditional symphonic program, Lift Every Voice is curated as a musical journey through generations of creativity, resilience, and innovation. The repertoire spans more than a century of composition, beginning with trailblazers such as Francis Johnson and William Grant Still, whose work laid the foundation for Black composers within the classical tradition. Their influence continues through today’s leading creators, including Omar Thomas and Katahj Copley, whose dynamic compositions speak directly to modern audiences with urgency and emotional depth.
The evening opens with a Prelude Concert by the West Orange High School Band, offering young musicians the opportunity to share the stage in a professional concert environment. Their performance sets the tone for an intergenerational celebration of artistic growth and community investment, reinforcing the importance of nurturing the next generation of performers.
Following the prelude, the New Jersey Wind Symphony takes the stage with a full symphonic program that blends expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. Adding a powerful choral dimension to the night, special guests Mack Brandon and The Connection Choir will join the ensemble, creating moments of collective energy that amplify both the musical and cultural significance of the program.
The concert will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, a venue known for its warm acoustics and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal setting for a performance rooted in both reflection and celebration. With accessible ticket pricing, the event invites a broad audience—from longtime classical music supporters to newcomers seeking an inspiring introduction to wind symphony performance.
Lift Every Voice also reflects a broader movement across New Jersey’s arts community: a renewed emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and representation within performance programming. By elevating composers whose contributions have historically been underrepresented, the New Jersey Wind Symphony is not only honoring musical heritage but also helping to redefine what audiences expect from the modern concert stage.
New Jersey has long been home to vibrant ensembles and community-centered performance organizations, and this concert continues that tradition by blending professional artistry with educational outreach and cultural storytelling. For readers interested in how concerts like this shape the state’s creative landscape, Explore New Jersey’s coverage of music highlights the evolving role of live performance in communities throughout the Garden State.
Recommended for ages 13 and up, Lift Every Voice offers a meaningful night out for families, students, educators, and music lovers alike. It stands as both a tribute to historic achievement and a living statement about where American concert music is heading—toward a future that embraces broader voices, deeper stories, and stronger community connections.
In Ridgewood this February, the sound of unity, heritage, and hope will resonate far beyond the concert hall, reminding audiences that music remains one of the most powerful ways to bring people together.
