A Live Television Event with the Discovery Orchestra at Montclair State University
The Discovery Orchestra’s upcoming concert, “Discover Rhapsody in Blue,” merges live performance with interactive music education for a national public television audience. This special builds on a long-running televised Discovery Concerts that have featured composers from Bach to Saint-Saëns for millions of viewers, raising the orchestra’s profile and extending its distinctive mission of helping audiences connect more deeply with classical music.
This special “Discover Rhapsody in Blue” performance will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University. Through guided listening and live performance, audiences will gain special insight into George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue.” This Discovery Concert functions as an educational deep-dive into the 1924 masterpiece by teaching the public how to actively listen rather than just passively hear musical compositions.
As Maestro George Marriner Maull and his orchestra explore what makes “Rhapsody in Blue” so compelling, audiences will discover why this landmark composition remains one of the most beloved works in the American canon more than a century after its debut. Maestro Maull observes that listening to music is a lost art form, as generations of people have been conditioned to use music merely as background sound.
“People eat, shop, and drive with music playing in the background, rather than actually listening to it,” explains The Discovery Orchestra’s Artistic Director and Conductor. However, “to truly appreciate and get the most out of a masterpiece by a composer like Gershwin or Brahms, we must give it our undivided attention,” he adds. A former professional violist, Maull has performed with ensembles including the Louisville Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Caramoor Festival Orchestra, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and American Symphony Orchestra.
Discovery Orchestra pays homage to 'Rhapsody in Blue.'
Maestro Maull and The Discovery Orchestra are dedicating their seventh national public television production to “Rhapsody in Blue” in celebration of its enduring century-plus legacy as a dazzling fusion of jazz and classical music. The Discovery Concert will deconstruct its rhythmic vitality and sweeping melodies, exploring the unmistakable spirit that continues to resonate with audiences.
This selection beautifully honors the piece’s historical roots. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” fundamentally altered the course of American music by seamlessly blending classical traditions with the energy, syncopation, and blues notes of Black American jazz innovation. The piece elevated Gershwin’s professional standing, establishing him as a serious classical composer rather than just a commercial songwriter.
Notably, 1924 was a year of dual milestones for Gershwin. That same year, the musical “Lady, Be Good!” debuted on Broadway, featuring the hit title track “Oh, Lady Be Good!” written with his brother Ira. As their first official collaborative Broadway show, it helped solidify George and Ira Gershwin as America’s definitive songwriting team. At least 50 of their major hits have become timeless standards of the Great American Songbook.
This “Discover Rhapsody in Blue” concert by Maestro Maull and his orchestra will bring to life the arrangement created by master orchestrator Ferde Grofé. While Gershwin composed the music, Grofé wrote the orchestral parts, transforming Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue” from a two-piano manuscript into a symphonic jazz masterwork. In fact, “Grofé orchestrated the piece on at least three different occasions, continuously revising it over time,” says Maull. “We will showcase his final version.”
Featured artist Clayton Stephenson will be performing.
The 77-member Discovery Orchestra’s “Discover Rhapsody in Blue” concert will feature special guest pianist Clayton Stephenson. His dynamic artistry brings a fresh and vibrant new voice to the work, making this performance especially compelling. A Juilliard School graduate and New York native, Stephenson is recognized for his expressive, poetic interpretations and engaging stage presence.
The acclaimed virtuoso has quickly established himself as one of the most compelling young artists of his generation, earning prestigious accolades across the international music community. In 2022, he made history as the first Black finalist in the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the most rigorous classical music contests in the world.
Be Part of the Live Filming Experience.
To capture this extraordinary musical moment, the entire performance will be filmed for American Public Television. Audience members are invited to the Alexander Kasser Theater to witness this landmark performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” as it is taped live for national television. Beyond the Discovery Concert itself, attendees will experience the distinctive energy of a production in motion, helping create the authentic atmosphere that makes a broadcast unforgettable.
This event builds on a rich television legacy. Since its first televised Discovery Concert in 2003, The Discovery Orchestra has reached audiences worldwide. Under the direction of Maestro Maull, a three-time Emmy-nominated public television personality, the organization is dedicated to teaching audiences how to listen actively to classical music.
Originally founded in 1987 as the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey, The Discovery Orchestra’s work is grounded in the belief that attentive listening can deepen emotional awareness and strengthen human connection. By teaching audiences how to listen more actively and thoughtfully, the orchestra helps people engage with classical music in a more immediate, personal, and meaningful way.
Maestro Maull’s work extends beyond concerts to his educational series “Fall in Love with Music,” an eight-part program distributed by American Public Television and APT Worldwide. A former professional violist, he has performed with ensembles including the Louisville Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Caramoor Festival Orchestra, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and American Symphony Orchestra.
Ultimately, “Discover Rhapsody in Blue” promises more than a performance of a beloved classic. Under the baton of Maestro Maull, The Discovery Orchestra and guest pianist Clayton Stephenson aim to transform the evening into a celebration of Gershwin’s enduring genius. In doing so, the production delivers a timely reminder of the orchestra's core mission: great music yields its richest rewards when audiences move beyond passive hearing and choose to actively listen with curiosity and care.
Tickets for the taped television production of the “Discover Rhapsody in Blue” concert are free, but reservations are required for entry. You can reserve your tickets online.
