Cultural Arts Series At Van Vleck House & Gardens: Montclair Events

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Montclair Foundation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Montclair Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Cultural Arts Series at Van Vleck House & Gardens, a vibrant new program that brings together world-class music, thought-provoking conversation, and community connection in a beautiful historic setting.

The series begins on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with a performance by an ensemble from the New Jersey Symphony, and continues through June 2026 with eight musical performances and four speaker events. All events take place on Saturday evenings at 8 PM, followed by a Q&A with the performers and a wine and cheese reception in the Van Vleck main house.

Musical highlights include four concerts each by the New Jersey Symphony and the Manhattan String Quartet, offering an extraordinary opportunity to experience classical music in an intimate and elegant setting.

The Cultural Arts Series also includes an engaging Speaker Series, presented in partnership with Montclair Local, who is curating the talent and topics. The speaker events will feature compelling conversations with authors, artists, and public intellectuals on issues that resonate locally and beyond.

This new initiative was made possible through the joint vision and leadership of Montclair Foundation Board Member Cal Trevenen and recently-retired Executive Director Mark Packer, who helped secure leadership gifts during the recent Capital Campaign to support the program’s long-term sustainability.

“The Cultural Arts Series is about creating a space for discovery, dialogue, and connection, whether through music or conversation, and we are thrilled to further expand our cultural arts offerings with this exciting new initiative,” said Interim Executive Director Anita Peterson.

“Journalism, like the arts, helps us understand who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going. At Montclair Local, we’re thrilled to be part of a series that brings together storytelling in its many forms—through music, conversation and cultural dialogue. Partnering with the Montclair Foundation to curate these speaker events is a natural extension of our mission to connect and inform our community through thoughtful, creative engagement,” said Georgette Gilmore, Engagement Editor at Montclair Local.

In addition to the Cultural Arts Series, Van Vleck House & Gardens proudly continues its beloved Second Sunday Concerts — a longstanding tradition of free, public performances held on Sundays at 2 PM. These concerts have been lovingly stewarded for many years by extraordinary volunteer Pegi Adam, whose dedication and passion have brought live music to thousands of community members.

2025–2026 Cultural Arts Series Schedule (performances subject to change):

• September 13 – New Jersey Symphony Trio-Franz Schubert - String Trio in B-flat major, D.581 Gideon Klein - String Trio Ludwig van Beethoven - String Trio in G major, Op.9 No.1 Camille Saen-Saens - The Swan, arranged for string trio
• October 25 – Speaker Series: New York Times bestselling author and Grammy nominee Warren Zanes shares stories about the making of Bruce Springsteen's album “Nebraska.” Zanes's book on the subject is the basis for director Scott Cooper's” Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” in theaters in late October. Zanes will be joined by musicians who will perform selections from Springsteen's legendary recording.
• November 1 – Manhattan String Quartet-PRIME TIME (Revered composers from the quartet canon) Haydn Quartet in D Major, opus 50 #6 (“The Frog”) Mozart Quartet in Eb Major, K. 428 Beethoven Quartet in F Major, opus 135
• December 13 – Manhattan String Quartet-PRODIGIES (Works composed by teenagers!) Mozart Quartet in D Major, K. 155 Arriaga Quartet in D Minor Mendelssohn Quartet in A Minor, opus 13
• January 17 – New Jersey Symphony Piano Trio
• January 31 – Speaker Series: “Intimacy in Film” a panel featuring Alex Hall, Director, Patrick Wilson, actor and Dagmara Dominczyk,actor. Moderated by Claudine Ohayon, Emmy Winner. Producer/Director. Actor. VO Coach. Intimacy Coordinator for Film & Television
• February 14 – Manhattan String Quartet-ROMANCE Wolf Italian Serenade Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet in Eb Major Schumann Quartet in A Minor, opus 41#1
• March (TBD)-Speaker Series
• April 25 – New Jersey Symphony Ensemble
• May 16 – Manhattan String Quartet-NEWER VOICES Turina Oracion del Torero, opus 34 Barber Adagio from the String Quartet, opus 11 Grieg String Quartet in G Minor, opus 27
• June (TBD)-Speaker Series
• March 21 – New Jersey Symphony Ensemble

Tickets, which will go on sale the week of August 4, are priced at $75, with a discounted rate of $65 for Van Vleck members.

For tickets and more information, click here or contact Adrienne Pardee at 973-744-4752, ext. 309 or development@montclairfoundation.org

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