West Windsor Philharmonic, a new non-profit organization, makes its debut on Saturday April 16, at 6:30 p.m. at High School North. “East Meets West,” a fusion program, features western classical piece renditions as well as classic Eastern music performed by professional musicians, aspiring local artists, and select high school orchestra members. Bollywood singer and composer Samir Date and singer Deepali Somaiya are lending their hand to the occasion. Admission is free.
The new orchestra strives to work toward world peace and prosperity as well as encourage friendship and tolerance. “We seek to provide diverse arts entertainment of the highest quality, resulting in increased visibility for the musical talents from a wide variety of backgrounds and orientations who share a commitment to inclusivity, nondiscrimination, and to the performance of works by underrepresented or unrepresented composers,” says Rita Shaha, one of the founders and a member of the West Windsor Human Relations council. The group plans to “build community and partnership through the performance of classical music and a platform for young and mature adults to showcase their intrinsic artistic talents.”
The group began with a Facebook exchange between Rita Shaha, a real estate agent, and Samir Date. “He mentioned touring the United States in March and April and upon my request he decided to do a show in New Jersey,” she says. “Samir and Arunabha [Shaha’s son, known as Arun] decided to do Eastern/Western fusion music. From there WW Philharmonic, a non-profit organization was created, solely to give a platform to those who are die-hard artists who want to showcase their talent even if they have to pursue different careers.”
“As parents we teach our kids to learn all types of arts, performing arts, visual arts and once these kids grow they have no place to showcase their art,” says Rita. “There cannot be enough programs and organization to support artists in any community.”
Arun is a perfect example. A graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Class of 2000, he is the musical director of the new orchestra. He began playing piano at age five and was composing music “a couple of years later,” he says.
A few years later he began playing saxophone and later the bassoon — to become an active member of the school’s bands and orchestra programs. In high school he learned percussion and performed in the marching band. As a member of the orchestra he traveled to Vienna and later to New Orleans. Throughout high school he had many solo performances including George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” He also conducted during several performances.
A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music from Manhattan School of Music, Arun has kept in touch with fellow classmates and musicians, and several will be joining him in this production. “I’m treating it like a composer’s concert,” he says. Essentially it is since one of the pieces is composed by him, and he arranged the Bollywood songs for a string orchestra and a flute.
The family moved from South Brunswick to West Windsor when Arun, who was born in Trenton, was about two years-old. His father, Shree, is an engineer. His younger sister, Avantika, a graduate of High School South, is a visual artist. Since graduating from Manhattan School of Music, Arun has used his knowledge of computers to earn a living working in IT and computers for the American Stock Exchange. “This is my first important musical gig,” he says.
“Celebrations are magical moments that nurture the soul, define our culture, our life, our love, and our passions,” says Rita Shaha. “WW Philharmonic is a place for young and mature artists to showcase their intrinsic artistic talents.”
The Shahas’ goal is to create a professional orchestra with guest conductors and guest artists. “We can make it happen,” says Arun, who is already in planning for a European tour and the production of an opera he has written.
“We live in a time when fear pervades our lives,” says Rita Shaha. “What better way to encourage fearlessness than to generate sounds designed to banish fear, designed to claim one’s energy, sounds that erodes one’s level of fear the way drops of water eventually wear away at stone. It is the science of sound.”
— Lynn Miller
Debut Performance, West Windsor Philharmonic, High School North, 90 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, 609-936-0263. “East Meets West,” a fusion concert featuring Bollywood performers Deepali Deepali Somaiya and Samir Date. Music arranged by Arun Shaha, a 2000 graduate of WW-P High School, and Manhattan School of Music. Free. Saturday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
