Thurnauer School of Music

Performance Ensembles

AgesAll

Playing and singing in an ensemble gives students the incredible experience of performing with friends. Being in an ensemble teaches students how to listen and collaborate effectively with other musicians and instills valuable life skills.

The JCC Thurnauer School of Music has large and small ensembles for children and adults, including chorus, orchestra, chamber music, and more.  Most ensembles require an audition and all ensembles perform during the school year. 

For information, please call 201.408.1466.

Audition for 2025-26 Ensembles

Auditions available in-person and virtually.

View audition requirements

Call 201.408.1466 to schedule an audition.

Ensembles

Young People’s Chorus @Thurnauer

Emma Brondolo, Artistic Director

For detailed information and to register, visit the Young People’s Chorus at Thurnauer page.

String Camerata

Ages: 8+ Years Old

An exciting first orchestral experience for intermediate string players. Students enjoy making music and performing together as a group in this small ensemble setting. By audition.

Wednesdays from 5:30–6:30 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 17
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Thurnauer Symphony Orchestra

Ages: 12+ Years Old (Intergenerational)

Students gain a strong understanding of orchestral music and develop their ensemble skills. They perform standard symphonic repertoire, popular selections, and contemporary works. Performance opportunities throughout the school year. By audition.

Wednesdays from 5:15–7:00 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 17
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Flute Choir

Noelle Perrin-Bryson, Director 

Junior Community Flute Choir

Ages: 10–13 Years Old (5th–8th Grade)

Exciting practice and performance collaborations for middle-school-aged flutists. Students enjoy making music together as they explore the challenges of the flute choir repertoire. By audition.

Tuesdays from 6:45–7:30 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 16
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Senior Community Flute Choir

Ages: 14+ Years Old (High Schoolers and Adults)

Exciting practice and performance collaborations for flutists of high school age. Students enjoy making music together as they explore the challenges of the flute choir repertoire. By audition.

Tuesdays from 7:30–8:30 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 16
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Percussion Ensemble

Ages: 8+ Years Old

Students at all levels of percussion study (older beginners, intermediate, and advanced) share melody, harmony, and rhythm playing drums, marimba, timpani, hand drums, and hand percussion, and improve their overall musicianship. By audition.

Thursdays from 6:30–7:30 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 18
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Coltrane Saxophone Ensemble

Ages: 12+ Years Old

This ensemble provides a chamber music experience for advanced saxophone students through repertoire ranging from jazz to classical, pop, and beyond. Students gain experience with improvisation, composition, stylistic interpretation, and ensemble playing. By audition.

Wednesdays from 6:15–7:00 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 17
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Cello Choir

Ages 10+ Years Old

Cello Choir offers skilled cellists the opportunity to explore complex, multi-part cello ensemble pieces. Focusing on advanced techniques, such as precise intonation, advanced bow control, and dynamic expression, students work together to perform classical and contemporary repertoire. The class encourages collaboration, musical interpretation, and helping musicians refine their technical skills while building a deeper understanding of ensemble playing.

Tuesdays from 6:00-6:45 PM
30 Classes: Starts Sept 16
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Video Game Orchestra

Ages: 13+ Years Old

From orchestral melodies to 8-bit chip tunes, jazz and more, students engage in the music they love and recognize from video games and expand their understanding of rhythm, harmony and composition. By audition.

Tuesdays from 5:00–5:45 PM
30 Classes: Starts September 16
$875 / JCC Member
$960 / Guest

Chamber Music 

Ages 7+ 

Students learn chamber music while cultivating sophisticated listening skills, individual expressiveness and ensemble cohesion. Thurnauer arranges and pairs chamber music groups featuring 2-6 student musicians.      

$1,225 / JCC Member
$1,365 / Guest

FAQs

Why should my child study music?

  • In addition to the enormous personal enjoyment music brings, music study helps children learn how to learn.
  • Attending lessons and practicing an instrument each day teaches focus, concentration, patience, critical thinking and reflection – skills we use throughout our lives.
  • Studies have shown that “students engaged in music programs outperformed their peers on every indicator: grade-point average, graduation rate, ACT scores, attendance and discipline referrals.”
  • KU research establishes link between music education and academic achievement

Why should my child study at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music?

  • A school environment creates a community of musicians who inspire, motivate and befriend each other.
  • Students benefit musically and psychologically from the expertise of our excellent faculty, the School’s warm, nurturing atmosphere and the experience of hearing other students make music at different levels of musical development.
  • The Thurnauer School offers a stimulating variety of classes, performances, workshops, and recital opportunities.

Can my child just take private lessons at the Thurnauer School?

  • As an introduction to learning an instrument, students can take just a private lesson, but only during their first year at the school. Thereafter, all students must take one or more components as part of their music program.
  • Making music with others quickens the pace of learning and accomplishment. We also find that students have fun in these classes and that this is not only enriching but also highly motivational to them.
  • Children in a full program of music study are “stretched”, musically and intellectually, as they learn new things and exchange musical and verbal ideas with their peers.
  • A program that is limited to private lessons lacks the richness of learning about music. The more we understand, the more joy there is in playing and listening.

When should my child begin the study of music?

  • Learning about music can begin at birth. However, the best age to start an instrument varies with the instrument and the child’s physical development. For example, violinists and flutists can begin as young as 3, whereas trumpet players should be at least 8.
  • For children who are not yet ready to begin private lessons, we recommend our early childhood classes: Musical Explorers, Instrument Exploration, Piano Partners, and Young Drummers.
  • Our classes for young children stand on their own, but they are also developmental, and will introduce skills to help your child with further musical study if it’s desired. “Developmental” also means dynamic; each week builds on the previous lesson.

How should we help our child select an instrument?

  • The choice of instrument depends on the child’s interests, temperament and size. Most children have a natural affinity for a particular instrument or sound and, if given the chance to choose, will know what they like.
  • We encourage sitting in on lessons and classes at our School. Please contact our scheduling director to arrange for a visit or a trial lesson: 201-567-7900 Ext. 375 or rsearles@jccopt.org
  • Attending professional concerts and student recitals with your child can also spark interest in a particular instrument. Children are welcome to attend any of our student recitals.

How do we select an instrumental teacher for your child?

At the Thurnauer School, a great deal of care is given to finding the best “match” from among our fine faculty. Music School Director Dorothy Roffman meets individually with each new student and parent(s) prior to enrollment, observing the child and learning about the family before assigning a teacher.

What is the registration process for new students?

The process is all handled online. It includes completing the registration form, enrolling in your choice of lessons and class, completing the scheduling forms, submitting a tuition deposit and, if you are enrolling ina private lesson program, scheduling a meeting with the Music School Director.

Do I need to register for the entire year?

With the exception of some early childhood classes, our curriculum is designed as a full, 30 week program. That said, you can withdraw within the first five weeks of classes for a prorated tuition and a $75 processing charge. Thereafter, partial refunds are available as stipulated in our Terms and Conditions.

Does the Music School offer a payment plan?

Yes. You can set up an eight month payment plan that withdraws funds from your bank account or charges your credit card automatically each month.

Does the Music School offer Financial Aid?

Yes. The Music School has a number of endowed funds earmarked for this purpose, and over 15%of our students receive some form of tuition scholarship. Scholarship forms are available online, or you may request one from the Financial Manager, Dan Jatovsky at djatovsky@jccotp.org.

Are discounts available?

Yes. The following discounts are available for you and your family to enjoy the gift of music:

Sibling Discount
Save $25 off total tuition for a class or performance ensemble (if not part of a Private Lesson Program) SAVE $90 off total tuition for a Private Lesson Program

Refer a Friend Discount
Refer a new family who registers for private music lessons and you both get $100 off tuition

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