NJSO to Open 2013-14 Family Series with SHOOTING FOR THE STARS, 11/30

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2013-14 Family Series with "Shooting for the Stars"-a program featuring galaxy-inspired music that invites young concertgoers to reach for their dreams. NJSO Education & Community Engagement Conductor Jeffrey Grogan leads the concert, which takes place on Saturday, November 30, at 2 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Family Series artist-in-residence Ben Steinfeld-co-founder and artistic director of the critically lauded Fiasco Theater-hosts. Steinfeld, who has delighted NJSO family audiences for seasons, brings his trademark humor and theatrics to the concert.

"Shooting for the Stars" features music from Star Wars, Holst's The Planets, Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (featured in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey), Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Mozart's Symphony No. 41-pieces well-known to children and adults alike. NJSO first violinist Darryl Kubian performs the theremin-an unusual electronic musical instrument not often seen or heard in the concert hall-on Star Trek Through the Years.

In a special performance, NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project) students from University Heights Charter School (UHCS) in Newark will join the Orchestra on stage for Variations on "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Interactive Pre-Concert Adventures begin at 1 pm in the Prudential Hall lobby. The activities, which are free to all ticketholders, include ready-to-play child-sized orchestral instruments provided by Touch the Music with Claudia Baumgaertner Lemmerz. Concertgoers can meet NJSO musicians and ask them questions, learn fun facts about the program and play the theremin, take photos dressed in fun costumes and create unique souvenirs to take home.

Patrons can meet Grogan and Steinfeld at a post-concert event in the concert-hall lobby.

Tickets are $10 for children and $20 for adults, available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).