For two local organizations that focus on young musicians, the future is now. Three concerts to be performed this weekend by the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) and the Princeton Girlchoir will demonstrate that music is shaping tomorrow today.

On Sunday at 3 & 7 p.m., YOCJ will present two separate programs at The College of New Jersey’s Kendall Hall. The afternoon program will include performances by its String Preparatory Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Pro Arte Orchestra. The evening program will include performances by the Saxophone Choir and Symphonic Orchestra.

Jennifer Montone will be the soloist for the Symphonic Orchestra concert, performing Emmanuel Chabrier’s “Larghetto” for horn and orchestra. Montone is the Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She also teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. Her recording of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Horn Concerto with the Warsaw National Philharmonic was the recipient of a Grammy Award in 2013.

On March 21, Montone will visit West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North to conduct an interactive master class with students and brass ensembles. The master class is free and open to the public.

Also on Sunday evening, at 6 p.m., the Princeton Girlchoir will take to the stage at McCarter Theatre Center’s Matthews Theatre for its winter concert, “United in Song.” The program will bring together the organization’s six choirs, which range from the youngest beginners to the most polished pre-collegiate singers. The repertoire will include a wide variety of selections, from classical and folk song to contemporary.

The choirs will be directed by Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Melissa Keylock, Fred Meads and John Wilson. Two of the selections will feature the full battery of 290 girls. The last, Benjamin Britten’s “A New Year Carol,” will incorporate Princeton Girlchoir alumni.

Find out more about both organizations and all three events in my article in today’s Trenton Times.

http://www.nj.com/times-entertainment/index.ssf/2017/01/jennifer_montone_yocj_princeto.html