NEW PROVIDENCE—The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) continues to offer free online programming with a series of workshops exploring the orchestral excerpt requirements for the NJYS 2020-21 season auditions. The series, held on the video conferencing platform Zoom, takes place every Friday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. through May 15. The series began on Friday, April 25 with a strings workshop, featuring violinist Naomi Youngstein; cellist with Sofia Nowik; and double bassist Anthony Morris, and will continue with the schedule below. Students must sign up online at www.NJYS.org to attend the virtual workshops. For more information, call (908) 771-5544.

Friday, May 1

Maureen Hurd, Clarinet

Sasha Enegren, Bassoon

Amy Emelianoff, French Horn

Friday, May 8

Michael Stewart, Viola

Don Batchelder, Trumpet

Vernon Post, Trombone

Julius Tolentino & Matt Slocum, Jazz Workshop

Friday, May 15

TBA Flute, Oboe, and Percussion workshops. More information at www.NJYS.org.

Said Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo, “During this difficult time, we want to give our young musicians as much support as possible for their audition preparation. Many students are currently unable to take private lessons for various reasons and we want to offer specific musical instruction to help them succeed at their auditions.”

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), founded in 1979, is a tiered orchestral program offering ensemble education for students in grades 3-12 across New Jersey. NJYS has grown from one orchestra of 65 students to over 500 students in 15 different orchestras and ensembles, including the internationally recognized Youth Symphony. NJYS ensembles have performed in venues including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. NJYS has received numerous prestigious awards for its adventurous programming from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and has had six European tours, including participation in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival and Competition (Vienna), winning First Prizes in July 2014 and 2017.

Now in its 41^st season, NJYS continues to achieve musical excellence through intensive instruction and high-level performance. Under the guidance of a talented team of conductors, coaches, and teaching artists, students are immersed in challenging repertoire, learning the art of ensemble playing, and exploring their potential in a supportive and inclusive environment. NJYS remains committed to programming works by diverse composers and featured 20th century African-American and women composers such as Duke Ellington, George Walker, Yvonne Desportes, Emma Lou Diemer, Julia Perry, and Florence Price this season.

The New Jersey Youth Symphony is a program of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts. Wharton is New Jersey’s largest non-profit performing arts education organization serving over 1,500 students of all ages and abilities through a range of classes and ensembles. In addition to the New Jersey Youth Symphony, programs include the Paterson Music Project and Performing Arts School.