Trenton Orchestra Debuts Concert Honoring Arts Advocate Larry Hilton

The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey will launch its new season with the premiere of the concert “Oh God…Beautiful Machine” on Saturday, honoring the late arts advocate Larry Hilton. The event aims to celebrate Hilton’s passion for making classical music accessible to all, as stated by Jill Aguayo, executive director of the orchestra.

Hilton, a native of Trenton, passed away on July 2. He was a prominent philanthropist, founding The Lawrence M. Hilton Foundation, which provided annual scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Aguayo expressed her deep respect for Hilton, noting, “It’s a huge honor to do this for Larry, and it’s so unfortunate that he passed away before he could see this dream realized.” She added that Hilton had been working on this concert for five years before it was brought to the orchestra about a year and a half ago.

A Unique Musical Experience

The concert will feature music composed by Vince di Mura, affiliated with Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, along with poetry from Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa. Aguayo described the performance as a “world tour of genres and styles,” designed to engage the local community.

Concertgoers can expect a diverse blend of musical influences, including symphonic jazz, classical, Latin, and Chinese elements. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m., the concert will take place at the historic Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, located at 1 Memorial Drive in Trenton. Before the main event, attendees are invited to arrive early at 5:30 p.m. for live music, vendor tables, a pre-concert talk with the composer, and a performance to set the stage for the evening.

Conductor Sebastian Grand will lead nearly 100 musicians during the concert, with each piece honoring influential musicians such as Paul Robeson and Carlos Santana. The musical selections will also incorporate various styles, reflecting influences from Native American to Afro-Caribbean traditions.

Di Mura described the concert as “an immersive experience that invites the audience into a soundscape of both urgency and beauty.” He emphasized that the performance serves as “a conversation between cultures, histories, and musical traditions—a celebration of what we have and a call to cherish it.”

Tickets for the concert are available through the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey’s official website. This event promises not only to honor a beloved community figure but also to enrich the local cultural landscape with a unique and engaging artistic experience.