Welcome To The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey brings together some of the finest young musicians in our region to participate and excel in a nurturing and challenging musical environment. Over 200 elementary through high school students, all of whom take private lessons and participate in their schools’ music programs, make up its twelve performance groups. There are three levels for strings: String Preparatory Orchestra, Pro Arte Orchestra, and the advanced Symphonic Orchestra. There is a Wind Symphony and many small ensembles for brass, percussion, saxophone, flute, and woodwind students. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from October through May at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North. Auditions for new students are held in January, June and September. Our next audition date(s): June 15 (Strings/Winds) & June 16 (Percussion)
Click HERE for more audition information! Like us on FACEBOOK!

Fall 2021: Return to In-Person!

It is our pleasure to share this statement from the Board of Trustees:
“The YOCJ Board of Trustees would like to inform you that it is our plan to resume live rehearsals in the Fall providing that the health situation allows us to do so, and we can be compliant with all state regulations. We are optimistic that we can do so and will continue to update you on our plans.”

Midori / YOCJ Spring 2021 Residency

In line with YOCJ’s Back to Performing theme, we are thrilled to announce a Spring Residency with world-renowned violin virtuoso Midori! This program is made possible through Midori’s ORP (Orchestra Residencies Program) and the special series “Covid-19 Support Program”. Click HERE for more information.

Save the Date: Tuesday April 20th, 7pm for 2021 Master Classes!

Click HERE for more information. Bravo to the following students who were selected to perform! Zoom links will be shared with YOCJ members as well as private and public school music teachers. Email executivedirector@yocj.org for more information on Zoom links!

 

Back to Performing! Pre-Spring 2021 Online Mini Courses

YOCJ is Back to Performing! Click HERE for more information on what we did for Session 4. Stay tuned for video links from Dr. Nell Flanders three performing classes!

Select Festival Recital Videos!

Click HERE to view our Electronic Program Booklet. The Select Festival Recital featured the top performers that were chosen by the adjudicators from the Solo Adjudication Festival. Check out the 2 recitals below!

Virtual Advertising ~ in the click of a button!

Businesses, want to see your ads on this homepage? We would love to help you create and maintain your connection with our musically-minded families, students, and friends! Click HERE to find out how! This season everything is quick, easy, and online. It’s never been simpler!

Remind App 2020-2021

Click HERE to find out how to sign up! Any questions, please email Mrs. Epps at executivedirector@yocj.org

YOCJ and Princeton Symphony Orchestra Partnership

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announced a new partnership to advance excellence in orchestral performance and foster a greater connection between Central Jersey’s young musicians and their professional counterparts. Integral to the partnership, the PSO is expanding its assistant conductor position to include leadership of the youth orchestra’s Symphonic Orchestra. YOCJ’s beloved Symphonic Director John Enz has retired after 35 years and the current PSO assistant conductor, Dr. Nell Flanders, has taken over the baton with immediate effect. The partnership is the formalization of an ongoing relationship established through the PSO’s BRAVO! Education Program which encourages young musicians and their families to be exposed to extensive performance repertoire and be inspired by professional artists. Click HERE for more details on this exciting new partnership!

YOCJ & the McCaffrey’s Receipt Program!

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey is part of McCaffrey’s program that supports local nonprofit organizations by generously donating 1% of every receipt collected. Please share with your neighbors, friends, family and coworkers – anyone can submit their receipts to the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey. This is an ongoing fundraiser, so there are no deadlines. However, we request that receipts are submitted monthly as receipts cannot be more than 3 months old.
Please contact Joon Chung at chungers@gmail.com, for information on how to mail your receipts to him. Thank you for your support!

This is one of the easiest ways to show your support for our non-profit organization! Click HERE to start shopping on AmazonSmile and support the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey at the same time. AmazonSmile is a website that offers the same products and convenience as Amazon. The difference is that shopping on AmazonSmile means that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate .5% of the purchase price towards any eligible charitable organization. Please consider doing your on-line shopping to help support our talented young musicians!

The Splash Reel (at very top left of our page) was masterfully crafted by Front Row Seat Productions, LLC

Accessibility

YOCJ is committed to making all of our events accessible to all our patrons. Click HERE for more information and email us with any requests and questions that you might have: executivedirector@yocj.org

Sponsors

YOCJ is pleased to feature our monthly sponsors here and on our social media!