Dan Ruzicka
I had the great honor of joining the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) Saxophone Choir for my senior year in high school. There is no question that I found at YOCJ a meaningful home for my musical journey, leading to college. Dr. Smith is an impactful conductor, and playing in his ensemble offered exposure to varied interesting pieces, challenging music, and camaraderie with other serious classical saxophonists. I also recognized in Dr. Smith the qualities of a successful educator: encouraging, inclusive, trusting, and passionate. In addition to the saxophone choir, I was a member of the saxophone quartet. I developed leadership, communication, and problem solving skills as the four of us saxophonists worked together, independent of a conductor. I got experience in chamber music, including learning how intonation and balance are vital in chamber performance especially as each individual instrument is isolated with little room for error.
Most memorably, from my year at YOCJ, was that Dr. Smith—upon learning of my interest in composition—invited me to compose and conduct an original work for the saxophone choir. The process challenged me to levels: First writing the multi-movement piece, having the ensemble test play it, then editing the composition further, to conduct it during rehearsals and finally at the Spring Large Ensembles Concert. This was the pinnacle of my musical career to date, and allowed me to explore my potential as a composer, my abilities as a conductor, and overall my artistic skill and leadership. As I head to Rutgers University in the fall for music education, there is no question that this past year at YOCJ equipped me better than I could have imagined for my transition to college. Both for the experience in a saxophone studio and for music collaboration, appreciation, and education in general.
