Youth Orchestra provides an advanced orchestral experience for talented student musicians. This 75+ member full orchestra offers opportunities to perform music from Beethoven to Dvořák to contemporary composers. Rehearsals include regular sectionals led by NJYS coaches. Youth Orchestra performs three concerts each year.
Philharmonia is the first NJYS ensemble that combines all instrument families—brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion—in a full symphony. This ensemble introduces students to performing rich symphonic repertoire and provides joy and excitement of high-level full orchestra training. Rehearsals include regular sectionals taught by NJYS coaches. Philharmonia performs two concerts each year.
In Sinfonia, experienced young string players continue to develop their performance skillset in preparation for further advancement into a full orchestra. Students work together to develop the nuances of style and phrasing to create a more refined, mature orchestral sound. To accomplish this, the ensemble explores a combination of standard string repertoires from major composers as well as works written for advanced student orchestras. Members may also participate in doubling on viola and bass.
Designed for the advancing string player, Concertino Strings focuses on refining orchestral fundamentals through the study of string orchestra repertoire. Music theory, bowing techniques, musicality, rehearsal techniques, performance etiquette, and tuning are areas of focus. Members may also participate in doubling on viola or bass.
Primo Strings is the first large ensemble for young musicians who read music. It sets the foundation for success in future orchestral endeavors. Emphasis is placed on developing skills such as basic orchestral rehearsal and performance technique, following a conductor, bowing techniques, blend, balance, musicality, and music theory fundamentals.
Exploring deeply the unique qualities of clarinet playing, this ensemble performs everything from new commissions to the landmarks of the Classical repertoire, challenging and inspiring students to reach their full potential in ensemble playing. Students have the opportunity to play Eb Soprano, Alto, and Bass Clarinets. Clarinet Ensemble performs two to three concerts each year.
Focusing on the fundamentals of performance, including air support, phrasing, sound production, tuning, and playing as a cohesive unit, Concertino Winds hones basic musicianship skills in an educational and fun setting. Concertino Winds performs twice each year.
This is the most advanced flute ensemble, performing frequently in concerts and interactive events that provide a dynamic musical experience for this highly selective group of flutists. Fortissimo Flutes not only perform but also act as mentors within the NJYS community, inspiring younger students to strive for excellence and encouraging a lifelong love of music. Fortissimo Flutes perform two to three concerts each year.
Nurturing and educational, Flute Choir provides students with new ways to learn and grow as musicians in a comfortably challenging environment. Students have the opportunity to play the piccolo as well as alto and bass flute. Flute Choir performs two concerts per year.