The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey has been providing outstanding opportunities for talented young musicians in Central New Jersey since 1978.

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. Other special events include Masterclasses, Chamber Recitals, Tours, and Summer Camps! Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from October through May. Auditions for new students are held in January, June and September. Our next audition dates: January 23, 2024 and June 4, 2024. Click HERE for more audition information! Like us on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM!

Austria Tour 2024

YOCJ families ~ We are still taking registrations and deposits for what promises to be an amazing tour of Vienna, Salzburg, and Esterhazy Palace! Please take care of any needed passport renewals or applications ASAP! Email us with any questions: executivedirector@yocj.org.  Here are some handy links:
Austria Tour webpage
Austria Tour Highlights PPT 

2024 Soloist and Clinician: Ranaan Meyer, Double Bass

 
Multi Grammy winning, Emmy award winning, and Gold record Double Bassist Ranaan Meyer is most known as a founding member and performer with the string trio Time for Three, Founder and Artistic Director of Honeywell Arts Academy, and as a solo performing artist, composer and educator. He also is an alumnus of The Philadelphia Youth
Orchestra, Temple Prep, Manhattan School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
 
YOCJ is so pleased to announce that Ranaan Meyer will be joining the Symphonic Orchestra to perform his first concerto for double bass and orchestra entitled: ‘Concerto for My Family’ (2021) which is his homage to the people who lifted him up all along the way. Join us on Sunday January 14, 2024 at The College of New Jersey’s Kendall Hall for this performance! Mr. Meyer will also host a Performance / Improvisation Workshop for YOCJ on Tuesday February 27, 2024. 

YOCJ Partnership with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) 

The 2023-2024 Season marks the fourth year of our amazing partnership with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra! We are looking forward to another season with Maestro Kenneth Bean, PSO coaches for sectionals, as well as the outstanding concerts of PSO’s upcoming season!

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

The 2022 Splash Reel was created by Briann Dixon Videography

2023-2024 Sponsor Opportunities Now Available!

YOCJ is pleased to feature monthly sponsors on our home page, and on our social media! We are officially accepting new sponsor inquiries for the 2023-2024 Season. Click HERE to learn more, while all possible ad opportunities are still available! Please email us with questions that you have: executivedirector@yocj.org

Bravo to the Monkcello Cello Studio & Princeton University Concerts & Russo Music & Princeton String Academy & Old Hights Brewing Company & Mus♪cal Memor♪es & NK Flutes & David Michie Violins & SUNY Crane School of Music & Princeton Symphony Orchestra & Jhopri Restaurant for your support!!