NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS NEW JERSEY INTERGENERATIONAL ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT HEADQUARTERS TODAY

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS NEW JERSEY INTERGENERATIONAL ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT HEADQUARTERS TODAY

The New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra (NJIO) will perform a "Musical Passport to the World" today, Tuesday, 5 October, at 1:30 p.m. in the General Assembly Lobby, in celebration of the International Year of Older Persons 1999 -- Towards a Society for all Ages. The Assembly has so designated the year in order to "urge the international community to reach out to the development community, the media, the private sector and younger generations in an effort to create a society for all ages".

The programme includes a mix of international music from Spain, Israel, Ireland, Mexico and Japan, and the world premiere of a commissioned work by 72 –year-old composer Benjamin Lees. He related so well to the concept of orchestra because his granddaughter plays the viola and that led him to immediately accept the idea of a special composition. The Orchestra will also perform another commissioned work by New Jersey composer Mario Lombardo for strings and oboe, to be performed by Oscar "Oboe" Petty.

The mission of the NJIO is to "bridge the generation gap with our music and performances". The Orchestra is made up of 120 musicians between six and 87 years of age, whose mission is to "bridge the generations" with music. People of all ages sit side by side and play music together. Founded by conductor Lorraine Marks, the Orchestra brings together musicians of all playing levels and ages from beginner to professional and kindergartener to senior citizen. Ms. Marks has won several awards including the "New Jersey Monthly Magazines Pride Award," and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition award, honouring the Orchestra’s outstanding service to the community. She has also appeared on "Viewpoint", which will be aired on WWOR Channel 9, and on the CBS Morning Show "Windows on America", and WNBC's "Four Stories", where she appeared with the Orchestra. Orchestra members perform for organizations such as The American Heart Foundation, Special Wishes Foundation and The Kessler Institute, and take part each year in the Lincoln Center Fountain Plaza Series.

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