Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey

Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey provides opportunities for talented young musicians in Central New Jersey to participate in musical performances at a level beyond that which is traditionally offered by school bands and orchestras.
The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey was founded in 1978 by the late Portia Sonnenfeld as a preparatory orchestra for the Mercer County Symphony Orchestra (now called the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra).

Ms. Sonnenfeld shaped this ensemble into a group capable of performing the standard orchestra literature and 20th-century works. It then grew to encompass two string orchestras and a wind ensemble, and became known as the String Preparatory Orchestra. In 1999, with increased enrollment, the orchestra was incorporated under the name “Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey.” YOCJ is an award-winning, critically acclaimed organization that has performed throughout the eastern United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Unique to the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey are its chamber groups for flute, saxophone, brass, woodwinds, and percussion that offer an unparalleled opportunity for small ensembles that feature these instruments in performance. YOCJ relies upon parent volunteers to make our excellent orchestral training available at a reasonable cost to all qualified students. Board members are parents of current or former student musicians.

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey is a growing, vibrant organization that looks forward to carrying on the tradition of providing unparalleled, diverse musical experiences to the talented young musicians of their region.