By Jeff Sovelove
Normal. Isn’t that what we’re all ready for after the last two years?
Things got a little bit closer to normal with Sunday’s 38th annual Giralda Music and Arts Festival, presented by Morris Arts.
Canceled by the pandemic in 2020, and pushed back to August last year, the fundraiser returned to its June time slot under sunny skies on the sprawling lawn of Giralda Farms in Madison.
Slideshow photos by Jeff Sovelove and Kevin Coughlin. Click/hover on images for captions:
There were plenty of activities for both young and not so young, from arts and crafts to unusual items for the home. OMG Bubbles entertained the kids with enormous bubbles, while trucks selling tacos and ice cream truck did brisk business.
Of course the main draw was the music, provided by the Chico Alvarez & the Palomonte Afro-Cuban Big Band and the main act, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of José Luis Dominguez.
The NJSO was joined by violinist Timothy Shi, 15-year-old winner of the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 2022 Henry Lewis Concerto Competition.
Timothy Shi solos with the NJSO. Video by Jeff Sovelove for MorristownGreen.com:
“It was really fun,” said the Millburn teen. It was his third appearance with the orchestra, and he soloed on Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. Shi said it’s been a terrific learning experience.
“They complimented my right hand (technique). So I definitely need to work on my left hand!” he said.
The crowd was smaller than in pre-pandemic times–about 750 tickets were sold in advance–and the 90-degree temperature may have given pause to last-minute buyers. But those who came were treated to superb sounds, with plenty of space for picnicking and short lines for the porta-johns.
“The music’s hot. The weather’s hot. It’s all good. It’s great to bring the community back together again,” said Tom Werder, executive director of the nonprofit Morris Arts.
The program included works by Rossini, Suppé and Strauss, selections from The Sound of Music, and Sousa marches.
All in all, a little closer to normal.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
