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 three concerts and the Playathon Festival each year.

For advanced players, this ensemble presents artistic and technical challenges in a supportive environment. Students connect with peers who share their passion for ensemble playing and repertoire spanning from the Middle Ages to present day. Students have the opportunity to play the piccolo as well as alto and bass flute. Flute Forum performs two concerts and the Playathon Festival 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 and the Playathon Festival each year.

This ensemble provides the opportunity for talented percussionists to perform challenging literature with intensive and personalized instruction in all percussion techniques. The NJYS Percussion Ensemble has performed at percussion festivals, in concerts, and on tour. All percussionists accepted into Percussion Ensemble may also perform with Philharmonia, Youth Orchestra, and Youth Symphony.

The NJYS Jazz Orchestra will perform repertoire from some of the most important composers in jazz history such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. We will also explore the compositions of some of today’s leading composers. JO performs in two concerts and the Playathon Festival each year and in 2023 will travel to France for their first ever international tour.

The NJYS Big Band is an opportunity for students to learn to play the classic repertoire of the big band, as well as focus on section playing and jazz phrasing. Students in NJYS Big Band will be grouped into smaller combos as well. The students play two NJYS concerts Playathon Festival each year.

The Jazz Workshop is our entry level Jazz program designed to introduce young musicians with an interest in Jazz to the elements and practice of the Jazz artform. Students will be introduced to Jazz through a holistic approach combining performance in ensembles, large ensemble and combo, as well as an introduction to Jazz history and theory through critical listening to the masters of the music. Instrumental skills will be honed through interaction with our faculty of world class Jazz musicians who have a deep interest in sharing their knowledge, experience and wisdom with their students. The Jazz Workshop will give the students an opportunity to build a firm foundation in Jazz performance, history and theory to prepare them to move on to more advanced ensembles at NJYS Jazz and beyond.

Open to all instruments.

The Wharton Arts Chamber Music Program provides young musicians with the opportunity to learn and perform chamber music literature composed for small un-conducted chamber ensembles. Chamber music is performed with one musician per part. The program develops both beginning and advanced students’ musicianship by building on current technical skills, expanding listening and group collaboration skills, learning about historical practice and perspectives, and challenging musicians to read and perform music more fluently. Being a participant in a chamber music ensemble enhances each student’s work in solo and orchestral repertoire, and contributes to the student’s full artistic expression on his or her instrument. Students are placed in chamber ensembles by NJYS Artistic Staff based on skill level, and a professional musician coaches the groups weekly. In the event that an ensemble cannot be formed with the enrollment pool, the family will be informed, and a refund will be issued.

Students interested in the Wharton Arts Chamber Music program must audition. Contact NJYS at (908) 771-5544 or info@njys.org for more information.