(NEW PROVIDENCE,NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, announced 2026-27 audition registrations are now open. Students entering grades 3-12 from across the state of New Jersey are invited to join NJYS and experience the excitement of making music together.
NJYS offers a dynamic, world-class orchestral experience for young musicians in woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, harp, piano, and jazz, providing progressive ensemble opportunities across multiple levels.
Said Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Helen Cha-Pyo, "Ensemble music-making is one of the most meaningful ways young people can grow, not just as musicians, but as human beings. At the New Jersey Youth Symphony, students learn to listen deeply, take responsibility, stay focused, and support one another, all while experiencing the joy of being part of something larger than themselves. We are proud to cultivate an inclusive environment that is both rigorous and uplifting, where students are encouraged to strive for excellence without comparison. Through this shared journey, music becomes a powerful force in shaping confident, empathetic, and connected young people."
For audition requirements and more information, please visit NJYS.org. All auditions will take place at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ, unless otherwise noted. Chamber Music Program information is also available online.
The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, is one of the region's premier youth orchestral programs, providing advanced musical training and performance opportunities for talented young musicians from across New Jersey. Through rigorous rehearsal, exceptional repertoire, and collaborations with distinguished guest artists, NJYS fosters artistic excellence, leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for music. The Symphony regularly presents innovative and meaningful programs that connect classical music to community, culture, and social impact.
Wharton Arts' mission is to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities.
Wharton Arts' vision is for a transformative performing arts education in an inclusive community to be accessible for everyone.
Wharton Arts is New Jersey's largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center serving over 2,000 students through a range of classes and ensembles. The 5 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12, encourage a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development. The 15 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, which serve nearly 600 students in grades 3–12 by audition, inspire young people to achieve musical excellence through high-level ensemble training and performance opportunities.
Based in Paterson, the Paterson Music Project is an El Sistema-inspired program of Wharton Arts that uses music education as a vehicle for social action by empowering and inspiring young people to achieve their full potential through the community experience of ensemble learning and playing. From Pathways classes for young children to Lifelong Learning programs for adults, the Wharton Performing Arts School has a robust musical theater and drama program and offers both private and group classes for instruments and voice for all ages and all abilities. With the belief in the positive and unifying influence of music and that performing arts education should be accessible to all people regardless of their ability to pay, Wharton Arts offers need-based scholarships.
Wharton Arts is located in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Paterson, NJ and reaches students from 12 counties. All of Wharton Arts' extraordinary teaching artists, faculty members, and conductors hold degrees in their teaching specialty and have been vetted and trained to enable our students to achieve their personal best.
