YSC 2021 -2022 Winners
First Place Winner
Wesley Sanders – Tuba
Wesley Sanders is a senior at Vernon Township High School. He is the principal tubist of his school’s Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Brass Choir. Additionally, Wesley plays bass trombone in his high school’s Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra. He has been Drum Major of the Viking Marching Band for two years. He is a four-year member of the Sussex County Youth Orchestra. Wesley has successfully auditioned and has served as principal tubist of multiple honors ensembles throughout his high school tenure, including the Sussex County Honors Band, North Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, North Jersey Region I Wind Ensemble, New Jersey All-State Orchestra, and the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble. Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2022 New Jersey All State Governor’s Award for Band. Wesley currently studies privately with Barbara Garrison and John Palatucci, and plans to pursue music in college with a minor in tuba performance. Wesley is appreciative of the opportunity to be a youth soloist with the New Jersey Wind Symphony, and is delighted for the Tuba to be featured at the May 13, 2022 NJWS Side By Side concert.
Second Place Winner
Henry Mruz – Euphonium
Henry Mruz is a 16 year old Euphonium instrumentalist from Morristown, New Jersey. He is the Principal Euphonium in Morristown High School’s Wind Ensemble and the Baritone Section Captain in the Marching Band. He also plays trombone in the Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra. He has successfully auditioned for the North Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, and has been named Principal Euphonium of the New Jersey Intermediate and Senior Region I Wind Ensembles, as well as the All-State Wind Ensemble. Currently, he studies with Mr. Rich Barrieres.
Third Place Winner
Yerim Park – Clarinet
Yerim Park is a sophomore at Indian Hills High School. A multi-instrumentalist, Yerim plays clarinet in the concert band, alto saxophone in the jazz band, and tenor drums in the marching band at Indian Hills High School.
Yerim is a current clarinetist in the NJSO Youth Academy Orchestra. She also performs in the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble, New Jersey All-State Orchestra, North Jersey Region I Wind Ensemble, and is concertmaster for the North Jersey Area Band Wind Ensemble. She has also played for the Camerata Youth Orchestra and has participated in the Solo Performance Preparation Program at the Philadelphia International Music Festival.