Mission Statement

The Orchestra's mission is to provide opportunities for musicians to perform and for audiences to hear and understand orchestral, operatic and chamber music, with a specialty in, but not limited to, music of the 17th and 18th centuries.

History

The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, founded by Conductor/Music Director Robert W. Butts in 1996, is North Jersey's only community orchestra specializing in the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: the Baroque and Classical eras.  Initially performing at the historic Darress Theatre in Boonton, the orchestra became the ensemble in residence at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison in 2002.  In addition to a four-concert season, the orchestra performs full ensemble and chamber music concerts in various locations throughout northern New Jersey.  In March 2003, the orchestra inaugurated an annual Family Concert Series, produced to encourage young people and families to enjoy the orchestra concert experience. 

In August of 2006, BONJ offered its first Summer Festival of Baroque Music at Grace Church in Madison. The Festival, which has become an annual event, offers a great variety of musical and related performances in the space of a week.

In 2008, the orchestra moved to a new venue for its larger concerts- the Dolan Hall at the Annunciation Center at the College of St. Elizabeth's, in Convent Station.