The Discovery Orchestra

Transforming Listening, Enhancing Lives

We believe listening to classical music and perceiving its many expressive aspects evokes compelling emotional responses within us. These intimate encounters with classical music help us fully experience our own feelings, as well as appreciate those of others – beginning with those of the composer! Attentive listeners discover more deeply the treasures music conveys.

The incessant, 24/7 presence of electronically reproduced music in contemporary society has by now trained generations of people to merely hear music as “sonic wallpaper” – a background accompaniment for virtually every activity in our daily lives. As a consequence, people have been conditioned to ignore music, rather than be completely present with it. To address this, The Discovery Orchestra teaches the listening skills that help people really connect with classical music.

Originally founded in 1987 as the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey, The Discovery Orchestra provides listening interactions for all ages, from novices to classical music enthusiasts. Beginning with our first Discovery Concert™ in 1996 and culminating with our mission and name change in 2006, all of our programs are now educational by design.

Artistic Director George Marriner Maull and The Discovery Orchestra have helped literally millions of people be transformed by the dynamic power of classical music through our live Discovery Concerts™, public television and radio programs, educational Discovery Chat videos, and other digital content. Our new game app AHA! Classical, is available for free online at ahaclassical.com or downloadable on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The Discovery Orchestra also presents live and virtual Community Engagement programs for students and seniors in collaboration with our educational partners, reaching underserved audiences in five New Jersey counties.

The Discovery Orchestra receives support from individuals, foundations, businesses, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. It is a priority of The Discovery Orchestra to distribute free or discounted tickets to underserved constituents whenever possible. In addition, The Discovery Orchestra makes every effort to accommodate the needs of individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities for all of its programs and activities.