To the Editor:

As biased as I may be, considering that I am the president of the board of trustees of the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, Keith Spencer, and his show, “Brothers on Broadway,” brought the house down on Saturday evening, February 22 at Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial.

1,016 people bought tickets to experience Spencer’s tribute to the many African Americans who have made it to Broadway.

This show was a debut, of sorts, because it is the first time ever that this show was performed with a symphony orchestra — the Capital Philharmonic (CPNJ).

An eclectic group sponsors and patrons made up the audience. They were all colors, ethnicities, and ages.

There were large representations from Shiloh Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ivy League Educational League, UIH Family Partners, First Tee of Greater Trenton, Run Free Ranch, Urban Promise, Ann’s Choice, Traditions at Washington Crossing and the Present Day Club, to name a few. Many came by the busloads.

The performing arts scene is “alive and well” in Trenton. We, at CPNJ, can’t thank the attendees enough for their support that made possible the second highest attended CPNJ show since CPNJ’s initial concert, New Year’s Eve 2013.

Part of CPNJ’s mission statement speaks to using the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey as a catalyst for the redevelopment and renaissance of Trenton’s downtown. The War Memorial is the perfect home for the performing arts in Trenton; not to mention, it is an architectural jewel! Since CPNJ’s founding in 2013, it’s been a tough slog, but Keith Spencer’s amalgamating with CPNJ gives us all hope that Trenton can be returned to its rightful place as an arts center. CPNJ is committed to success of this mission.

I direct you to capitalphilharmonic.org for more information. Again, thank you to all who made this breakthrough a reality.

Gloria S. Teti
President, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey