BASS SOLOIST: Ranaan Meyer will perform with the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey on January 14. Meyer’s “Concerto for my Family,” his first, is on the program.

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) will begin 2024 with the Winter Large Ensemble Concert on Sunday, January 14, starting at 3 p.m. at Kendall Hall, the College of New Jersey, Route 31, Ewing.

The concert features YOCJ’s Symphonic Orchestra with soloist Ranaan Meyer, who will perform his first concerto for double bass and orchestra entitled Concerto For My Family, an homage to the people who lifted him up along the way.

The 3 p.m. concert will be performed by the Wind Symphony, String Preparatory Orchestra, and Pro Arte Orchestra. A concert at 8 p.m. features the Saxophone Choir and the Symphonic Orchestra.

Meyer is known as a multi-Grammy-winning double bassist and founding member and performer with the string trio Time for Three. He is also the founder and artistic director of Honeywell Arts Academy, a solo performing artist, composer, and educator.

“We are honored to welcome Ranaan and provide this extraordinary opportunity for our students to play with a leading musician. Our students benefit immensely from these unique collaborations that provide a lasting impact and foster significant growth in their musical journey,” said YOCJ Artstic Director Philip Pugh.

Meyer is an alumnus of The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Temple Prep, Manhattan School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music. He co-founded Time for Three while at Curtis, but prior to Time for Three’s demanding touring schedule he spent several weeks per year performing and touring in the double bass section of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

The YOCJ Symphonic Orchestra is conducted by Kenneth Bean, assistant cnductor of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO). YOCJ’s mission is to provide opportunities for young, talented musicians in Central New Jersey to participate in musical performances at a higher level than typically offered through school bands and orchestras

Tickets are $23 and $28. Visit yocj.org for more information.