(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- In a positive nod towards youth arts programming, the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) is pleased to share its consistent yearly growth and continued commitment to providing opportunities for young musicians at a level beyond what is traditionally offered by school orchestras and bands.
"On average, we are back to pre-pandemic numbers with our annual membership at over 200 students," said Phillip Pugh, Artistic Director, YOCJ. "This is an encouraging sign for music education and it underscores the passion and dedication of young musicians to develop their skills. We are proud to be a part of their musical journey."
YOCJ offers 12 performing ensembles, including smaller chamber groups, featuring all instrumental families – the only organization providing this depth and breadth of programs in central New Jersey and surrounding areas.
The 2025-26 season promises many exciting opportunities for students including concerts with guest artists, masterclasses with professional musicians and access to concerts with globally renowned musicians through a partnership with Princeton Symphony Orchestra.
Now in its sixth year, 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. Integral to the partnership, the PSO expanded its assistant conductor position to include leadership of YOCJ's Symphonic Orchestra. The YOCJ Symphonic Orchestra is conducted by Kenneth T. Bean, Assistant Conductor of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO).
YOCJ Programming for the 2025-26 Season
Guest artist - Yumi Kendall, The Philadelphia Orchestra. Since 2004, Ms. Kendall has been a dedicated and deeply active member of The Philadelphia Orchestra as Assistant Principal Cello. She won the position at age 22, during her final year of studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she now serves on the cello performance faculty. Ms. Kendall will perform the Dvořák Cello Concerto at the winter concert with YOCJ's Symphonic Orchestra on January 18, 2026, at TCNJ's Kendall Hall.
Additional repertoire at the winter concert includes Czech Suite by Dvorak, Divertimento No.11 in D by Mozart and Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock as well as Symphony in D by Boccherini, among several other pieces.
Masterclasses: YOCJ collaborates with many leading musicians to provide unique learning opportunities for students. On March 10, 2026 Yumi Kendall will lead a string masterclass while musicians from PSO will work with woodwinds, brass and percussion students to help hone their skills. In addition, a saxophone masterclass will be led by Stacy Wilson, principal saxophonist West Point Concert Band and saxophone faculty at Montclair State University.
Small Ensemble Concerts: YOCJ will hold two small ensemble concerts featuring woodwind, saxophone, percussion and brass choirs and ensembles. Students in the Flute Choir benefit from working with piccolo, alto flute and bass flute in addition to the traditional C-flute to create a full choral sound.
Concerts will be held on December 13, 2025 and April 25, 2026 with the saxophone ensemble performing the historical work "Quintette" by Jerome Savari from 1861, making it one of the earliest composed pieces for an ensemble of saxophones. The percussion ensemble will perform an interesting selection entitled Rondo allá Latina, featuring themes from the popular Mozart piece, Rondo allá Turca, and a short cameo by Beethoven's Fur Elise, all in a lively Latin setting.
Senior Solo Spring Concert: Each season, seniors audition for the Senior Solo Competition for a chance to play with the Symphonic Orchestra at the final large ensemble concert of the season. Past winners have performed the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and the Eric Ewazen Classical Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra. The 2026 concert will take place on May 17, 2026 and the winner and repertoire information will be announced in due course.
Talented young musicians interested in broadening their performing opportunities, can find information here about YOCJ auditions, concerts and more.
Founded in 1978 and incorporated in 1999, under the name "Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey," the organization has grown from two string orchestras and a wind ensemble to 12 performing ensembles, including three string orchestras for musicians of different levels. Unique to YOCJ are the chamber groups for flute, saxophone, brass, woodwinds, and percussion that offer an unparalleled opportunity for small ensembles that feature these instruments in performance.
In addition to concerts throughout the year, YOCJ also offers master classes with renowned musicians as well as performance opportunities at celebrated locations and concert halls throughout the world during its international tours.
YOCJ is a growing, vibrant organization that is committed to carrying on the tradition of providing diverse musical experiences to the talented young musicians of our region.
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