Tell us a little about your musical background and what led you to the world of early music.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I was initially drawn to both popular and classical music and primarily studied guitar. I earned a degree in Music Education from Montclair State University (then Montclair State College), followed by a master’s degree in Musicology from the University of Iowa.
While I was in graduate school, my interests began to focus on the music of the 17th and 18th centuries—the periods we know as the Baroque and Classical eras. I became fascinated not only by the music itself, but by the instruments and performance practices of the time. I studied and performed on instruments including lute, viola da gamba, recorder, and other early instruments.
After returning to New Jersey, I performed with a number of early music ensembles and began coaching musicians in the works of composers such as Monteverdi, Bach, Purcell, Handel, and Vivaldi. I also began teaching at Sussex County Community College, where I conducted the chorus.
That’s really where my passion for conducting and bringing this music to life began to grow.
So what inspired you to create The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey?
In the early 1990s, I was performing and coaching early music and realized there was an opportunity to bring this repertoire to a wider audience. At the time, most orchestras were concentrating heavily on the great composers of the 19th century, and I felt that the incredible music of the Baroque and Classical periods deserved to be heard and experienced in a live setting.
In 1996, I decided to do something about it. Working with Tom Timbrook, who owned the Darress Theatre in Boonton, I founded what was originally called the Baroque Orchestra of Boonton. Our goal was simple: bring the music of the 17th and 18th centuries to life.
The orchestra grew quickly. Within the first four to six years, we were collaborating with numerous organizations, including several opera companies. And while our roots were firmly planted in Baroque and Classical music, our repertoire eventually expanded to include music from the 17th all the way through the 21st century.
In 1999, I earned my DMA in conducting from The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, further developing the skills that have allowed me to lead this orchestra for nearly three decades.
The orchestra has been performing for almost 30 years. How has it grown over that time?
One of the most rewarding things has been seeing the community that has developed around the orchestra. The size of the ensemble changes depending on the music we’re performing. Most of our concerts, particularly those featuring 18th-century repertoire, involve approximately 18 to 25 musicians. For larger works, the orchestra can grow significantly. When we performed Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, for example, we had around 55 musicians on stage.
We’ve also been fortunate to have musicians who have been part of this journey for a very long time. Several have been with us since our very first concert, while many others have been members for 15 or 20 years.
We don’t have formal auditions in the traditional sense. When a musician is interested in joining, we invite them to a rehearsal. It gives everyone an opportunity to see how they work within the ensemble—and, for the most part, almost everyone who has come has stayed!
Now you’re bringing the orchestra back to The Growing Stage for Wish Upon A Star: A Musical Mozart Adventure. What can families expect from this special concert?
This is an opportunity to meet Mozart in a completely different way.
Most people know Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as one of history’s greatest composers. But before he became the legendary figure we know today, he was a curious, adventurous and incredibly talented young boy traveling across Europe and discovering the world of music.
Wish Upon A Star takes audiences back in time to follow Mozart’s remarkable journey—from his childhood in Salzburg and his travels as a young musical prodigy to his adventures in Vienna.
Along the way, audiences will meet some of the people who influenced his musical life, including his father, Leopold Mozart, as well as composers Johann Christian Bach and Antonio Salieri.
And, of course, the music is at the heart of the adventure. Families will hear some of Mozart’s most recognizable and beloved works, including Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 1, selections from The Marriage of Figaro, and The Magic Flute, along with music from the composers who helped inspire him.
What makes this concert especially appealing to families who may not think of themselves as “classical music” fans?
I think the key is that we’re not simply presenting a concert—we’re telling a story.
Mozart’s life was an adventure. He was traveling and performing at an incredibly young age, meeting important musicians, encountering new cultures and developing his own musical voice along the way. There’s a lot of excitement and discovery in his story.
Wish Upon A Star combines that history with live music, imagination and a little bit of magic. It’s designed to introduce children and families to Mozart in a way that feels accessible, entertaining and fun.
You may come thinking you’re simply going to hear classical music, but you’ll leave knowing much more about the remarkable boy behind the music.
After nearly 30 years, what keeps you excited about sharing this music with audiences?
There is something special about experiencing this music live. These composers wrote music that was meant to be performed and heard—not simply studied in a textbook.
For me, there’s always a sense of discovery in bringing it to life, and it’s especially rewarding when you see that same sense of discovery in an audience. Introducing a new generation to this music and watching them connect with it is incredibly gratifying.
And that’s exactly what we hope to do with Wish Upon A Star—spark a little curiosity, inspire some imagination, and perhaps introduce a new generation to Mozart.
How can people learn more about The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey?
You can learn more about the orchestra, upcoming performances and our work at baroqueorchestra.org.
Bob, thank you for joining us! We can’t wait to welcome The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey back to the Historic Palace Theatre for this very special musical adventure.
Come meet the boy behind the legend and discover the music, imagination and adventure of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!
For tickets and full event details, visit growingstage.com/wish-upon-a-star/.
