ArtistDirect News
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra to Host 107th-Season Gala Honoring Local Leaders
The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will celebrate its 107th season with an annual gala on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. The event, held at the Plainfield Country Club in Edison, will honor four local leaders whose civic and artistic work has enriched Plainfield and the surrounding region.
The honorees are Mrs. Pat Van Slyke and the late Lt. Tony Contreras, both of whom have devoted decades to community service and arts advocacy; Dr. Patricia Campos‑Medina, a nationally recognized educator and advocate for workers and immigrant communities; and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, noted for her public‑service record and advocacy on behalf of Plainfield residents.
As a fundraising dinner, the gala will benefit the PSO’s educational and community programs. Proceeds support the orchestra’s annual concert season, a student scholarship program, a free family concert, and outreach initiatives that keep orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages. PSO board president Mark Miller said the event offers a chance to “invest in the future of an organization that continues to inspire audiences of all ages.”
Founded in 1919, the PSO is New Jersey’s oldest community symphony and the second‑oldest continuously operating community orchestra in the United States. The volunteer‑run ensemble has performed every year since its first public concert in 1921 and offers a season that blends classical masterworks, pops, family programming, and collaborations with guest artists.
Tickets are priced at $225 per person, with sponsorship opportunities and group packages available. Guests are encouraged to dress semi‑formal, black‑tie optional. The evening will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of the honorees’ achievements.
The Plainfield Country Club, located at 1591 Woodland Avenue, has hosted the gala since its inception. The club’s historic setting provides an appropriate backdrop for the PSO’s community‑focused event.
The PSO’s mission is to bring exceptional musical experiences to the entire community. Its scholarship program awards annual awards to outstanding local student musicians, while the free family concert ensures that cost is never a barrier to experiencing live orchestral music.
The gala will bring together community leaders, elected officials, business owners, arts supporters, and residents for an evening of celebration and philanthropy. Because the PSO operates on a volunteer‑based model, every dollar raised goes directly to its mission.
Tickets and sponsorship information are available on the PSO’s website at www.plainfieldsymphony.org. The event is promoted by TAPinto.net as part of its marketing partnership with the orchestra.
The PSO’s 107th season will continue to build on its legacy of community engagement and artistic excellence. The gala’s proceeds will help sustain the orchestra’s educational initiatives and ensure that music remains a vital part of Plainfield’s cultural life.
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra’s annual gala on September 26, 2026, will honor four distinguished community leaders and raise funds for the orchestra’s educational and outreach programs, reinforcing the PSO’s long‑standing commitment to making orchestral music accessible to all.
The honorees are Mrs. Pat Van Slyke and the late Lt. Tony Contreras, both of whom have devoted decades to community service and arts advocacy; Dr. Patricia Campos‑Medina, a nationally recognized educator and advocate for workers and immigrant communities; and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, noted for her public‑service record and advocacy on behalf of Plainfield residents.
As a fundraising dinner, the gala will benefit the PSO’s educational and community programs. Proceeds support the orchestra’s annual concert season, a student scholarship program, a free family concert, and outreach initiatives that keep orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages. PSO board president Mark Miller said the event offers a chance to “invest in the future of an organization that continues to inspire audiences of all ages.”
Founded in 1919, the PSO is New Jersey’s oldest community symphony and the second‑oldest continuously operating community orchestra in the United States. The volunteer‑run ensemble has performed every year since its first public concert in 1921 and offers a season that blends classical masterworks, pops, family programming, and collaborations with guest artists.
Tickets are priced at $225 per person, with sponsorship opportunities and group packages available. Guests are encouraged to dress semi‑formal, black‑tie optional. The evening will feature fine dining, live music, and a celebration of the honorees’ achievements.
The Plainfield Country Club, located at 1591 Woodland Avenue, has hosted the gala since its inception. The club’s historic setting provides an appropriate backdrop for the PSO’s community‑focused event.
The PSO’s mission is to bring exceptional musical experiences to the entire community. Its scholarship program awards annual awards to outstanding local student musicians, while the free family concert ensures that cost is never a barrier to experiencing live orchestral music.
The gala will bring together community leaders, elected officials, business owners, arts supporters, and residents for an evening of celebration and philanthropy. Because the PSO operates on a volunteer‑based model, every dollar raised goes directly to its mission.
Tickets and sponsorship information are available on the PSO’s website at www.plainfieldsymphony.org. The event is promoted by TAPinto.net as part of its marketing partnership with the orchestra.
The PSO’s 107th season will continue to build on its legacy of community engagement and artistic excellence. The gala’s proceeds will help sustain the orchestra’s educational initiatives and ensure that music remains a vital part of Plainfield’s cultural life.
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra’s annual gala on September 26, 2026, will honor four distinguished community leaders and raise funds for the orchestra’s educational and outreach programs, reinforcing the PSO’s long‑standing commitment to making orchestral music accessible to all.