Why Join a Youth Orchestra?

Working with budding musical talent in ensemble settings each week can make my work as a youth orchestra conductor feel more like a vocation than a job. It is immensely rewarding observing and participating in the learning process, watching students discover new things for themselves as they work toward excellence individually and collectively. (That’s in addition to the beautiful music they make each week!)

The joy that student musicians bring to each rehearsal is palpable, and so after a particularly engaging rehearsal with Youth Orchestras of Essex County’s Overture Strings, I asked some of the members why. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the benefits of playing in a Youth Orchestra haven’t changed much since my time as a student--- that the gifts of such a musical experience traverse times and cultures. Here are the insights they’ve shared.

“It’s different from private lessons because you get to play
with other people who support you.” –Abigail, fifth grade

“It’s a mental and physical challenge. You have to motivate
yourself.” –Nikolai, fifth grade

“You get to meet more people. You all have something in
common: you like to play music!” –Alexus, sixth grade

American culture prizes individuality. We are nation of thinkers, changers, doers and innovators. At the same time, in order to enter the working world, have a happy personal life, and experience the beauty of lasting relationships, we need to temper those qualities by sifting them through a spirit of collaboration, teamwork, contribution and sacrifice.

In a youth orchestra, students are challenged with the task of blending and adjusting the sounds they create to serve the whole, and coming to rehearsal with their music prepared. This is not an easy charge, but when they experience firsthand that beautiful music can come to be through their singular and communal efforts, they’ll be the first to admit it’s a remarkable, spine-tingling experience.

In Youth Orchestras of Essex County in particular, our three student ensembles were rewarded rich memories performing in the state-of-the-art South Orange Performing Arts Center this past December. (Our next concert, in the same venue, is slated for May 18th.)

For many children, studying music is a side pursuit outside of their school regimen. Some schools do not offer ensemble experiences, while others start in upper elementary or middle school. (In YOEC’s Overture Strings, students as young as first or second grade are welcomed into the ensemble, predicated on their possessing a high maturity level and playing ability.) For those who play an orchestral instrument with only a private lesson component, enjoying such a social opportunity with other children who share their interest can be both normalizing and affirming.

Looking back on my own childhood and adolescence, some of the friendships developed while playing in youth orchestras profoundly inspired me to choose music as a career, and some of those relationships are maintained to this very day.

For students with school ensembles, participating in both the school orchestra or band and an outside youth orchestra program is an excellent choice. I know many youth orchestra conductors who feel the same way--- that school and outside music programs are not mutually exclusive pursuits, but rather highly complementary ones. To this day I am grateful for the music-making and learning opportunities afforded to me playing under the batons of both my school and youth orchestra directors.

If you think you have a child who might be interested in applying to our fine program, auditions will be held on May 20, May 23 and June 3 at South Orange Middle School, or by appointment as necessary. You can find additional information at www.yoec.org, or contact our Executive Director Debra Courtright at admin@yoec.org.