As it enters its 30th season, YOCJ brings together approximately 200 gifted instrumentalists from New Jersey and Pennsylvania under the direction of Artistic Director John Enz and Conductors Phillip Pugh, and Brian Woodward.

YOCJ was originally founded by Portia Sonnenfeld as The String Training Ensemble in 1978 which served as a preparatory orchestra for the Mercer County Symphonic Orchestra (later renamed the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra). The late Mrs. Sonnenfeld conducted the group for eight years and shaped the ensemble into a group capable of performing the standard literature and twentieth century works. The group was later called the String Preparatory Orchestra. During this time the organization was comprised of two string orchestras and a wind symphony. In 1999, with rapidly increasing enrollment of students aged 9 to 18 years and the acquisition of new rehearsal space in the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North campus, the orchestra incorporated as an independent non-profit organization known as The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ). Also in 1999 the YOCJ's partnership with the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra ended.

To provide challenging educational opportunities while accommodating the diversity of experience and age among the talented musicians enrolled in the orchestra, a decision was made for the 2001-2002 season to reconfigure the group into a full Symphonic Orchestra, two string orchestras (Pro Arte Orchestra and String Preparatory Orchestra) and the Wind Symphony. In addition, a Saxophone Choir, Brass Choir, Woodwind Choir, and Percussion Ensemble were formed to supplement the program.

YOCJ performs winter and spring concerts every January and May. Concerts are held in the auditorium of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North. Since 2004 the orchestra has also been performing a spring concert in Ocean City, New Jersey.  Additionally YOCJ has performed in Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, the Medical Center at Princeton's June Fete, NJPAC Prudential Hall in Newark, NJ, the Niagara International Choral Festival, Canadian Broadcasting System's Broadcasting Center, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  In the spring of 2003, YOCJ toured Boston, MA, performing at the Longi School of Music and capturing top honors at the Heritage Festival Competition.