New Jersey Youth Symphony

Susie Gay _{on Google}

Jan 18th, 2022

In 12/4/2021 concert, the first half programs were all flute ensembles, they were lengthy and boring, the music picked were no excitement, also the performances seems not well prepared. But later orchestras made fantastic performances with their great conductors. In evening Philharmonic concert, you can easily notice the concert mistress is not qualified, everyone else around her played more dynamical and musical than her, she also constantly wiggling her feet when playing, it makes the whole orchestra looks unprofessional even others played so well. I highly doubt she is one of facultys relative, hope I am wrong. Otherwise hardly explain why she can sit on this important chair without a good technique and a good manner.

leah ma _{on Google}

Feb 16th, 2020

Glad that Helen is the new artistic director of NJYS. A student's mom is the head librarian of NJYS, she is a student of Ms Reilly's and she has been in YS for many years, but that doesn't indicate that she should have more advantage than the other students by sitting in the principal chair all the time and especially for major pieces such as Prokofiev Symphony 5. (Ms Reilly is the director of three ensembles and is also the flute teacher at NJYS.) The head librarian should not purposely give her daughter the principal first flute part all the time, yet she should follow the assignments given by Helen in respect. Since most students in the flute section of orchestras are students of Ms Reilly, the ones who are not, have worked hard to make it in (there are some that are talented and better) and they deserve to play the principal flute parts as well. This student plays on a beginner model flute and the maestra should give others a chance to play in the principal seat, since they said it was rotated. It is unfair towards the other students who might work harder, spend more time than her. I expect better NJYS; I suggest starting to make a change now because this is the real reason as to why people keep leaving NJYS. (an anonymous parent)