New Jersey’s APEX Ensemble Cancels 2022/23 Season

Due to a loss of their performance space and complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has canceled its next season

Founded in 2016 as the Montclair Orchestra, the group was renamed the APEX Ensemble in 2021. It is an orchestral program that awards fellowships to outstanding music conservatory students to train with mentors from top international orchestras.

In September 2022, the APEX Ensemble’s venue partner unexpectedly made drastic changes, affecting the group’s use of the space. As a result, their first Fellowship Program concert and Youth Programs became suspended.

Despite all efforts made to retain the performance venue, it was not possible. Alongside the significant drop in revenue from two years of canceled concerts during the pandemic, the APEX Board made the decision to cancel the 2022/23 season for financial and logistical reasons

“We had hoped that once we were back performing, we would be able to overcome the losses that the [pandemic] had created,” said APEX President Andre Weker and APEX Board Chair Sylvia Cohn in a statement. “Unfortunately, without the stability of a performance venue, that did not seem a likely scenario.

“We remain extremely grateful to all our remarkable donors and subscribers for the generous support we have received from them during these past few years,” they added. “The entire APEX family is devastated by this turn of events and the Board hopes to find some path forward that would enable the incredibly meaningful mission of APEX Ensemble to continue.”

APEX has provided training for over 150 students from The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School of Music, Montclair State University, New York University, Rutgers University, and many others. The program is led by music director David Chan — concertmaster of New York’s Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.