The mission of the New Jersey Youth Symphony [NJYS] is to provide talented young musicians with orchestral and related music education experiences that enable them to reach their highest potential as performers and listeners.

NJYS began as a 65-piece orchestra for area students in grades 7-12. NJYS currently provides an instrumental progression that includes 3 full symphony orchestras (Youth Symphony, Youth Orchestra, Philharmonia), 3 string training orchestras (Sinfonia, Junior Strings, Preparatory Strings Ensemble), 2 flute ensembles (Flute Forum, Flute Choir), and the newly-launched Percussion Ensemble. NJYS offer supplemental programs including chamber music, music theory, and summer camps. NJYS’ 400 instrumental students, who are from 80 communities representing 12 New Jersey counties, attend weekly rehearsals during the school year at the NJYS Music Center in New Providence, NJ (Union County) and perform more than 40 concerts annually.

NJYS has been the recipient of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts’ Citation of Excellence four times, and in July 2009 was awarded their prestigious Major Arts Organization distinction, “in recognition of the solid history of artistic excellence, substantial programming, and broad public service associated with your organization, and your standing as an anchor institution that contributed vitally to the quality of life in New Jersey.”