In September 2010, The Young Players Philharmonic begins its 10th Season.  The YPP started in the Spring of 2001 as a summer festival for young advanced string players who wanted to play during the summer months.  Throughout its existence it has grown to a full symphony orchestra comprised of young, very talented, advanced players and has a full  academic year season.

    The YPP is an independent orchestra which is not funded by the state, private corporations or an umbrella organization.  It exists totally on very nominal membership fees collected at the beginning of the season.   It does not have elaborate brochures for recruitment, nor periodic news letters sent to the general public and it does not tour or make foreign trips.   Its basic purpose it to train young musicians to rehearse and perform the standard and challenging symphonic literature at a high level at weekly rehearsals and two yearly concerts.    We do not require members to fund raise nor seek sponsors.

    Our young artists are trained by the conductor and music director, Ira Kraemer who is a professional conductor and who in 1960-61 studied with  the renowned conductor,  Pierre Monteux and from 1961-65 studied with the well known Austrian conductor, Carl Bamberger who recorded extensively in the 1950's.     Mr. Kraemer's service to the YPP is without fee.  He demands a high level of performance and achieves it without being overbearing on his young players so that they have a positive experience each week at rehearsals.  His accomplishments as a conductor and composer have been recognized by Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. 

    Players wishing to audition for placement in the YPP are urged to do so early in the Summer months if possible .  Auditions are held on an open and ongoing basis.   Please see our openings page for what positions are currently available.  You may also download our current application form which states the requirements for admission.   Seating is determined by the conductor and is based upon ability and seniority.  We do not audition competitively however players are expected to play at a high level of proficiency.

  The repertoire for YPP is the standard symphonic literature played by all of the major orchestras.  It is demanding and rewarding.  It is our philosophy to make our players better musicians by avoiding arrangements and simplified versions of the standard orchestral literature.

The year 2011-12 has brought about a very  large number of budget cuts to music programs statewide.   With its very reasonable membship fee, the YPP has always been a great resource for advanced young players to learn and perform  the standard symphonic repertoire at a high level.  Now with the reduction of funding to music programs throughout the State of New Jersey, the YPP is an even more valuable resource for those who join us.  Players should seriously consider this  worthwhile Sunday afternoon activity.

Some of our alumni have gone off to the following Colleges and Universities: