State Theatre NJ Launches Sound Studio Series With Seven Shows Through May

State Theatre New Jersey will present The Sound Studio Series in its 80-seat Studio space starting Feb. 15. Seven performances — four classical concerts and three rock shows — run through May 28.

Every show includes a post-show meet-and-greet. Tickets cost $20 to $30.

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra kicks off the classical lineup on Feb. 15 at 3:00 p.m. They'll play works celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, drawing from composers Jennifer Higdon, Antonín Dvořák, and Samuel Barber. Since its founding in 1960, this orchestra has grown into one of central New Jersey's top professional ensembles.

Stephen Jacobs brings his classical guitar to the stage on Feb. 22 at 3:00 p.m., performing pieces by Barrios, Brouwer, Albéniz, and Villa-Lobos. On March 8 at 3:00 p.m., violinist Sooyeon Jun appears with pianist Dora Galit. Their program spotlights Brahms's Violin Sonata No. 2. Jun has graced stages at Carnegie Hall, Salzburg, and Berlin.

The X Ensemble wraps up the classical portion on May 17 at 3:00 p.m. They'll debut two premieres, one penned by pianist Neil Alexander. Violinist Fung Chern Hwei from Sirius Quartet joins forces with Brad Hubbard from World Saxophone Quartet and Alexander.

Rock fans get their turn March 12 at 7:30 p.m. when the trio Always Now takes the stage with folk-rock and three-part harmonies. The Patrice Pike Band plays April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Pike fronted Sister Seven and hails from Austin. Adoraborealis, featuring Mike Messer and Tom McCaffrey, closes out the series May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

State Theatre New Jersey hit its 100th anniversary in December 2021 after renovations. It reopened as a nonprofit performing arts center back in 1988 and has drawn more than six and a half million people since then.

The theater pumps an average of more than $18 million per year into New Brunswick and surrounding areas. Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, and Ringo Starr have all performed there.

Tickets are available online or by calling 732-246-SHOW (7469). Guest Services operates Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by phone and email and from noon to 4:30 p.m. for in-person purchases at 15 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick.