Calling young musicians!

Join us for the 2014-2015 Season of the Youth Orchestras of Essex County!  Our orchestras are dedicated to providing a diverse group of musically talented young people (ages 8 – 18) the opportunity to participate in an affordable, high-level orchestra experience and cultivate a lifelong love of music. Our 2014-2015 season runs from September 2014 - May 2015.

Main auditions will be held Monday September 8, from 4 – 9 pm at South Orange Middle School for our Junior Orchestra, ABC Ensemble and the Essex County Symphony Orchestra. These are our groups for Middle and High School students. Wednesday September 10 and 17 will be auditions for our Overture Strings Orchestra (generally elementary school students). More information about the individual groups can be found here:http://yoec.org/about-us/the-orchestras/ . Other dates are available throughout the month of September; please contact us for details.

Youth Orchestras of Essex County is comprised of more than 75 musicians from 18 different towns, led by eight outstanding conductors and coaches, making beautiful music throughout the school year. Our three symphonic orchestras are joined by the ABC ensemble; this group explores the joys of music from around the world, allowing the musicians the opportunity to play non-traditional instruments on pieces that are “Anything But Classical”. We perform two concerts a year at SOPAC, as well as various other community appearances. This season will be our 59th year of sharing the rich tradition and love of music with students.

Please email admin@yoec.org or call 404-500-YOEC (9632) to schedule an audition for September 8, 10 or 17; other times are also available. For more information, including audition requirements, please see http://yoec.org/

The photo features Livingston student Jessica Rossilli, one of our concerto competition winners last season. She performed a solo onstage at SOPAC in our Spring concert with the Junior Orchestra. Video of the performance is below.

We have some videos from our Spring concert at SOPAC, generously provided by Nightstand Studios.

Overture Strings Orchestra: http://youtu.be/xa-YIzbfP-0

Junior Orchestra with Philip Cokorinos (of the Metropolitan Opera) guest appearance: http://youtu.be/jYuTAol5AgY

Junior Orchestra with Jessica Rossilli, soloist competition winner: http://youtu.be/_aE-gZw9lZ8

Essex County Symphony Orchestra: http://youtu.be/fD-2RCOfWJs

Anything But Classical Ensemble: http://youtu.be/XXVfeRLYPF4

We were also the subject of a nice feature on Momagama in the spring: http://www.momagama.com/spotlighting-the-youth-orchestras-of-essex-county-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students/