Welcome to the 2018–2019 season at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts where over 1,500 young musicians and life-long learners are exploring their potential and sharing the love for music every day at our three program branches: New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), Paterson Music Project (PMP), and Performing Arts School (PAS). As New Jersey’s largest nonprofit music education organization, we are committed to providing the highest quality performing arts education to a wide range of students in a rigorous and supportive environment leading to high-level performing opportunities. I am thrilled to invite you to over 30 public concerts presented by NJYS’ 15 ensembles ranging from symphonic to jazz, PMP Concert Orchestra and Band, and talented PAS faculty and students. From our season-opening performance of the brilliant Prokofiev Symphony No. 5 at Kasser Theater to the intimate Salon Series at PAS, PMP students’ performance with the stereotype-defying Black Violin at Shea Auditorium, and the grand finale of the NJYS 40th Season with a Gala Concert at NJPAC featuring Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, this season is full of inspirational concerts that will allow you to experience the transformative power of music. I look forward to seeing you at our concerts and sharing with you the pure joy that only music can bring to our lives!
Download the 2018-2019 Season Brochure
Helen H. Cha-Pyo
Artistic Director and NJYS Conductor