The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey is planning to kick off its 2025 concert and performance schedule with the Winter Large Ensemble Concert on Sunday, Jan. 19.
The concert will feature YOCJ’s Symphonic Orchestra featuring soloist Patrick Williams, associate principal flutist of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Williams was appointed associate principal flutist of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2018 by Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
Williams is also currently adjunct instructor of flute at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. Williams will performing the Reineke Flute Concerto at the concert, which will be conducted by Kenneth T. Bean, assistant conductor of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.
“We are delighted to welcome Patrick as our soloist this season. Over the years, YOCJ has been fortunate to collaborate with many leading musicians and provide unique learning opportunities for our young musicians,” said Philip Pugh, Artistic Director, YOCJ. “These partnerships are vital to the musical growth of our students and we are grateful to all the professionals who work with us towards this shared goal.”
The YOCJ Symphonic Orchestra is conducted by Kenneth Bean, Assistant Conductor of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. 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 has expanded its assistant conductor position to include leadership of YOCJ’s Symphonic Orchestra.
The large ensemble concerts will be held at Kendall Hall on the campus of The College of New Jersey. Tickets are available via TCNJ Center for the Arts and are valid for both concerts.
The Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 (snow date: Sunday, Jan. 26): 3 p.m. concert is set to feature the Wind Symphony, Sinfonietta String Orchestra and Pro Arte Orchestra.
The 8 p.m. concert will include the saxophone choir, symphonic orchestra featuring Patrick Williams, flute — Reinecke Flute Concerto.
The scheduled rain date is Sunday, Jan. 26. The cost is $28 for adults and $23 for seniors and students under 18.
Looking ahead into the season, YOCJ plans to provide opportunities for students to refine and grow their skills through master classes led by renowned clinicians. A schedule of master classes and spring concerts is below:
Tuesday, Feb. 18: Saxophone master class with Selmer artist Valentin Kovalev.
Tuesday, March 11: Woodwind master class with Patrick Williams, associate flutist, The Philadelphia Orchestra and master classes for brass, strings and percussion with clinicians from Princeton Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday, April 26: Spring small ensemble concert.
Saturday, May 18: Spring large ensemble concert featuring YOCJ senior concerto competition winner.
Young musicians interested in broadening their performing opportunities can find more information here about the next round of auditions, taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 28, on the YOCJ website.
YOCJ’s mission is to provide opportunities for young, talented musicians in Central New Jersey to participate in musical performances at a higher level than typically offered through school bands and orchestras. 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 nine 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.
