The unifying power of music.
Founded in 1970 as the Somerset County College Orchestra by Fred Stillwell and Donald Bowers, our members come from seven counties in Central New Jersey. Daniel Schuman served as the first music director. Upon his retirement in 1985, the orchestra changed its name to the Central Jersey Symphony. Roger Briscoe, Professor of Music at the college, became Music Director and began a closer association between the CJSO and Raritan Valley Community College.
For sixteen seasons the orchestra presented six to eight concerts per season, performing the standard orchestral repertoire. At its Gala 10th anniversary concert (under the new name) in May 1995, the orchestra completed a cycle of the nine Beethoven symphonies with a sold-out performance of the Ninth Symphony. In the following year, it presented an acclaimed concert of "Music of the Holocaust at Terezin". In 1998, the orchestra began a cultural exchange with Lithuania, presenting Lithuanian guest artists making their U.S. debut. These artists were then accompanied by Maestro Briscoe on two trips back to Lithuania.
The CJSO has always been committed to presenting the works of New Jersey composers. During several seasons the orchestra presented world premieres by composers such as Mario Lombardo and John Sichel. In addition, works by David Rimelis and David Sampson have also been presented.
In 2002, with a need for greater autonomy, the CJSO re-organized as an independent nonprofit organization. The events of September 11, 2001 had taken a severe toll on the orchestra's funding, and the newly-formed Board of Directors found itself in a unique position: leading a long-established arts organization with a brand-new artistic mission. During the following six seasons,the CJSO began to perform in various venues around Somerset County, including the Somerset County Vocational-Technical School, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.
During Dr. Briscoe's sabbatical leave in 2004-05, concertmaster Michael Avagliano stepped onto the podium for the first time to lead the orchestra. His work with the ensemble was so outstanding he was asked to become the CJSO's third Music Director upon Briscoe's retirement, beginning with the 2008-09 season. The orchestra returned to the Nash Theatre at RVCC for Dr. Briscoe's final concert in May 2008.
With the continuing leadership of the Board of Directors and Music Director Michael Avagliano, the CJSO has developed a collaboration to present the orchestra "in residence" at Raritan Valley Community College. While retaining its independent nonprofit status, the CJSO will perform at the Nash Theatre and allow the College's students the opportunity to perform with the orchestra. In addition, the CJSO remains committed to presenting New Jersey artists and composers, including some of today's finest young musicians. These exciting developments signal the beginning of a new era for the CJSO, as the orchestra looks to expand its concert season and reach out to new audiences across the central New Jersey region.
In 2021, the orchestra rebranded as the Somerset Symphony Orchestra to reflect our close ties with Somerset County, New Jersey.
Michael Avagliano - Music Director
American conductor Michael Avagliano is obsessed with redefining what’s possible for an orchestra. As music director of the Somerset Symphony, Summit Symphony, and August Symphony, Avagliano has become as known for his exceptional musicianship as for his success in growing the budgets, audiences, and scale of the organizations under his leadership.
As a guest conductor, Mr. Avagliano is increasingly in demand. He was a prizewinner in the 2023 Ionel Perlea International Conducting Competition, and was a participant in the Felix Mendelssohn Competition in 2024. Currently, he is working with the Allentown Symphony as Interim Assistant Conductor and will make his debut with that orchestra in July 2025. He has also made appearances with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic (Czech Republic), Pleven Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Palisades Sinfonietta, Plainfield Symphony (NJ), University of Oregon Symphony, and a world premiere performance at Merkin Hall with the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra.
As music director, one of his proudest achievements came when he helmed the Somerset Symphony’s first opera and ballet productions in its history. Co-produced in 2014, successful runs of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Lebedínoye ózero (Swan Lake) were followed by subsequent biennial productions of the operas Don Pasquale and Daughter of the Regiment, as well as performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. The orchestra was twice named runner-up for the annual American Prize in Orchestral Performance, demonstrating Avagliano’s consistently high standard for musicianship.
Mr. Avagliano also places a premium on integrating the orchestras he leads with underserved communities, leading performances in elder-care facilities, hospitals and other places outside the concert hall. With the Somerset Symphony, he created a relationship with New Jersey’s Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy to perform with their dance students—a rare opportunity for dancers at that age. Leading the Summit Symphony Orchestra, Avagliano orchestrated a collaboration with Summit High School students, projecting their artwork on stage during a performance of “Pictures at an Exhibition”.
When not leading orchestras, Mr. Avagliano turns his attention to mentoring the next generation of young conductors, imparting skills needed both on the podium and off. To train musicianship, he founded the annual International Conducting Masterclass in Stony Point, NY. Conversely, his online workshop Conducting the Interview focused on career-building, teaching conductors significant skills in applying for positions as conductor and music director. One of the most comprehensive workshops of its kind, participants held mock interviews with a panel of industry professionals, as well as evaluations of resumes, cover letters and application materials reviewed by Henry Fogel, former president of the League of American Orchestras. Hoping to build upon the success of these initiatives and construct further ones, Avagliano co-founded the Performers Learning Alliance in 2020, a nonprofit dedicated to creating educational opportunities for emerging artists.
Mr. Avagliano has worked in masterclasses and workshops with Neil Varon, Kenneth Kiesler, Diane Wittry, and Kirk Trevor. He studied extensively with Markand Thakar, and works alongside him as associate faculty at Thakar’s workshops with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. A trained violinist and violist, Avagliano continues to perform and educate under his adjunct professorship of violin and viola at Drew University, and has performed with the internationally acclaimed Madison String Quartet since 2000.
Board of Directors
Dr. Fatima Maqboul - President
Scott Hawkinson - Vice-President & Audio Archivist
Andrew Silbert - Secretary
George Berry - Public/Media Relations
Massimo DiCiaula - Social Media Marketing & Graphic Design
David Holmgren
Bruce Pyenson
Michael Avagliano - Ex Officio
Roger Briscoe - Music Director Emeritus
The Somerset Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code. The majority of the orchestra’s financial endowment is made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as well as from generous donations by individuals and corporations.
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