Howard County Gifted and Talented Orchestra Program

The Howard County Gifted and Talented Orchestra Program was created to enhance the orchestral experience of our students. Each orchestra is designed to meet the needs of the student who exceeds the orchestra curriculum at their grade level. In order to be aligned with the purpose of the Gifted and Talented Program the orchestras have been named GT Sinfonia and GT Orchestra.

The Sinfonia performs music one to two grade levels above the curricular standard and the GT Orchestra performs music three or more levels above the curricular standard.

Elementary and Middle GT Sinfonia

Elementary and Middle GT Orchestra

The Sinfonia student will demonstrate:

• A high level of technique on their instrument

• A high level of musical understanding

• A high level of music reading skill

• A maturity level that will allow for successful learning in a fast paced environment

• Readiness for a rigorous orchestral experience

The Orchestra student will demonstrate:

• The highest level of technique on their instrument

• The highest level of musical understanding

• The highest level of music reading skill

• Orchestral experience

• Potential for success in a mature and challenging orchestral setting

2024 - 2025 Audition Results

Thank you very much to all who auditioned this year!

ESGT Orchestra Roster by Student ID Number
ESGT Sinfonia Roster by Student ID Number

Students must be enrolled in their school’s orchestra program in order to participate.

Information:

August - During the First Week of School

• If you are interested in auditioning for the Elementary GT Orchestra and Elementary GT Sinfonia, contact your child’s school orchestra director as soon as possible during the first week of school to let them know.

• During the first week of school, school orchestra directors will nominate students who they think are qualified for the Elementary GT groups and send home a nomination form.

• Respond to your child’s school orchestra teacher with the required information absolutely no later than __________ so that your school orchestra teacher can complete the nomination / audition request form for your child on time.

Audition nominations / audition requests may only be made by the school orchestra director. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

Audition requirements:

1. Prepared Piece: A prepared solo of your choice. Minimum level for consideration is the equivalent of a Grade 2 piece from the end of Suzuki Book 1.  Please consult your teacher to make sure the level of your piece matches the ability of the ESGTO.

2. Prepared Excerpt: Students must also prepare a musical excerpt for their audition. Next year’s excerpt will be sent to school orchestra directors during the first week of school as well as posted here.

3. Sight Reading: Your child will be given a very short piece of music at the audition. They will have one minute to study the music (without playing their instrument) and then will be asked to perform it.

Expectations

Since participation in this orchestra is a special honor, those students accepted must follow the expectations listed below.

Attendance is mandatory. Absences will only be excused for illness, death in the family or court appearance. This is in the Howard County Policy 9010 for excused absences. Each student must be present for the entire rehearsal time. If students are absent, arrive late, or leave early, the entire group suffers. The purpose of full rehearsals is to develop a particular sound through balance and blend.

1. Students must attend the entirety of every rehearsal and performance. Missing more than one rehearsal per concert cycle, excessive tardiness, or excessive early dismissals will be cause for review and may result in the ensemble member’s dismissal from the ensemble.

• Absence due to pre-approved activities, such as a school concert, must be communicated via email at least two weeks in advance of the absence. Please email both directors. 

2. If a student must be absent from rehearsal, a parent email to the directors is expected prior to the start of rehearsal explaining the absence. Please email both directors.

3. If a student is late for rehearsal, they will be marked “tardy.” Two tardies in a semester will result in one unexcused absence. 

4. Rehearsals end promptly at 6:45 PM and parents/guardians must pick up their children on time.

5. Attendance at the dress rehearsal for each concert is mandatory. If a student is not present for the dress rehearsal, they may not participate in the concert.

   • Tardiness or absence from a dress rehearsal or concert may be grounds for dismissal from the ensemble and for the student to not be accepted into ANY Howard County GT Orchestra the following school year.

   • Students are expected to stay for the full duration of the concert to watch the second ensemble.

1. Preparing the music outside of rehearsal is required. Students are expected to practice at home in preparation for rehearsals.

2. Cooperation among students is a must in any performing group. Students who do not cooperate (fighting, name calling, etc.) will be dismissed from the orchestra.

3. Parents will be asked to help set up chairs before and take down chairs after rehearsals.

4. Each student will be given a packet of music and a folder at the first rehearsal. Students must bring a pencil to mark things on their music. Make certain that the student’s name is on the instrument case. Cellos and Basses will need their own rock stop.

5. Students must remain bonafide members of their school orchestra program for the duration of the school year.

6. Dress for performance is as follows:

7. The directors reserve the right to dismiss any student for not following the expectations listed above without a refund of the yearly fee.

2024 - 2025

FINAL Rehearsal and PERFORMANCE Schedule

ESGT Orchestra

Please note: concert day schedules are different between the Winter Concert and Spring Concert.

Fall GT Orchestra Schedule

All rehearsals are at WILDE LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXCEPT for Oct. 17 and Oct. 24

• Thursday, Sept. 26 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• No school on Thursday, Oct. 3 - No rehearsal

• Thursday, Oct 10 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Oct. 17 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM - Location TBA

• Thursday, Oct. 24 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM- Location TBA

• ***Tuesday, Oct. 29 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM*** - SEATING AUDITIONS
  (Thursday, Oct. 31 there is no school for students)

• Thursday, Nov. 7 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Nov. 14 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Nov. 21 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Dec. 5 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Saturday, December 7 - WINTER CONCERT at Centennial High School

• Dress Rehearsal @ 1:00 PM at CHS

• Concert @ 3:00 PM with MSGTS

Spring GT Orchestra Schedule

All rehearsals are at WILDE LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXCEPT for April 3 

• Thursday, January 30 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• ***Tuesday, February 4 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM***
  (due to Thursday, Feb. 6 is a ½ day for Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences)

• Thursday, Feb. 13 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Feb. 20 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Feb. 27 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM - SEATING AUDITIONS

• Thursday, March 6 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, March 13 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, March 20 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, March 27 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, April 3 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM - Location TBA

• Thursday, April 10 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• No school on April 17 - Spring Break - No rehearsal

• Thursday, April 24 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, May 1 - 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Saturday, May 3 - SPRING CONCERT at Centennial High School

• Dress Rehearsal @ 11:15 AM at CHS

• Concert @ 7:00 PM with MSGTO

2024 - 2025

FINAL Rehearsal and PERFORMANCE Schedule

esgt sinfonia

Please note: concert day schedules are different between the Winter Concert and Spring Concert.

LOCATION:

All Sinfonia rehearsals are held at Burleigh Manor Middle School in the Orchestra Room (2nd floor) unless noted to be in the cafeteria.

FALL 2024  Elementary GT Sinfonia  Schedule:

• Thursday, Sept. 26 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• No School on Thursday, Oct. 3 - No Rehearsal

• Thursday, Oct. 10 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM ***SEATING AUDITIONS***

• ***Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM
  (Thursday, Oct. 31 there is no school for students)

• Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Nov. 21 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM in the Cafeteria. ***Please bring a folding music stand from home***

• Saturday, December 7 - WINTER CONCERT at Centennial High School

• 11:15 AM Dress Rehearsal @ CHS

• 7:00 PM Concert with Middle School GT Orchestra (MSGTO)

Several Week Winter Break - No Rehearsals

SPRING 2025  Elementary GT Sinfonia Schedule:

• Thursday, January 30 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• ***Tuesday, February 4 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM 
  (Thursday, Feb. 6 is a Half day due to Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences)

• Thursday, Feb. 13 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, Feb. 20 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM in the Cafeteria. ***Please bring a folding music stand from home***

• Thursday, Feb. 27 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM in the Cafeteria. ***Please bring a folding music stand from home***

• Thursday, March 6 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM ***SEATING AUDITIONS***

• Thursday, March 13 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, March 20 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, March 27 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, April 3 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, April 10 from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• No school on April 17 - Spring Break - No rehearsal

• Thursday, April 24  from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Thursday, May 1  from 4:45 - 6:45 PM

• Saturday, May 3 - SPRING CONCERT at Centennial High School

• 1:00 PM Dress Rehearsal at CHS

• 3:00 PM Concert with Middle School GT Sinfonia (MSGTS)
  

sari o’bryan
co-director, Elementary GT Orchestra

Sari O’Bryan is the Director of Orchestras at Burleigh Manor Middle School in Howard County.  She has taught there for 11 years and was also the Director of Orchestras at Centennial Lane Elementary School and Clarksville Elementary School.  Mrs. O’Bryan has guest conducted numerous All-County Orchestras  and has adjudicated many Orchestra Assessments in the Maryland and Virginia Public Schools.

Mrs. O’Bryan is primarily a violinist.  She started lessons at age 5 thanks to Grover and Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street.  She studied Orchestral Strings at Loyola University New Orleans and graduated with a Bachelor of Music.  She also has a Masters of Music from Boston University in Music Education.  

She lives in Columbia with her husband Colin, who is the Director of Orchestras at Reservoir High School and Co-Director of the Howard County Youth Orchestra, her son Eamonn who is a trumpet player and daughter Fiona who studies voice and musical theater.  She also has three cats, Chuck, Zoey, and Frank, and a bearded dragon named Maurice.

sarah lahan
c0-director, Elementary GT Orchestra

Mrs. Sarah Lahan currently directs the orchestra programs at Swansfield Elementary School and Manor Woods Elementary School. She is privileged to share her love of music and expertise in string technique with over 380 students in these two thriving programs. She holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance and a Master of Music degree in Performance from the University of Maryland where she studied with Gerald Fischbach and James Stern. Prior to becoming a string specialist in Howard County Public Schools in 2017, Mrs. Lahan taught middle and high school orchestra in Oklahoma and taught violin lessons in private schools around the DC metropolitan area with the Music Kids program. 

Mrs. Lahan maintains a private studio in Catonsville with her husband, pianist Dr. Patrick Lahan. Her students perform frequently, are consistently selected by audition for regional honors orchestras, and participate in the ASTA Certificate Advancement Program. Mrs. Lahan is an active member of the MD/DC chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Mrs. Lahan's favorite experiences as a performer have included attending the National Orchestral Institute, performing a solo in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, and performing a fully memorized and choreographed interpretation of Copland's Appalachian Spring with the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra. 

Mrs. Lahan lives in Catonsville with her husband, twin daughters Mary and Anna, and dog Henry. She enjoys cooking, exploring different cities with her family, visiting art museums, and going to concerts.

Katie Hunt
Co-Director, Elementary GT Sinfonia

Mrs. Hunt currently teaches Strings at Waverly Elementary School with Mrs. Kelly and and General Music at Burleigh Manor Middle School. In 2012, Mrs. Hunt taught Orchestra and General Music for four years in Baltimore County Public Schools, then transferred to Howard County in 2016. She taught Orchestra and General music at Thomas Viaduct Middle School from 2016 - 2022. Under her direction, the TVMS orchestra program grew from 50 students to 120 students despite the pandemic and earned Superior ratings at adjudications and spring competitions. She came to Burleigh Manor Middle School in 2023 to teach General Music and co-direct the Orchestra program with Mrs. O’Bryan.

Mrs. Hunt grew up in Howard County, Maryland and graduated from Glenelg High School. Her primary instrument is viola. She was the first recipient of the GHS Robert Connor Memorial Arts Scholarship in Arts and Athletics, and she received a full scholarship to attend Towson University. While at TU, she received the Music Department Talent Award in Strings in Spring 2011. Ms. Hunt is working on completing her Master's of Music Education at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. 

A frequent clinician and judge, Ms. Hunt has judged Solo & Ensemble Festivals in Howard and Anne Arundel Counties and previously judged the Maryland All-State Orchestra auditions for several years. She has coached viola sectionals for groups such as the Howard County Elementary G/T Orchestra, the Howard County Middle School Honors Orchestra, and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Katie lives with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Lilo, in Columbia, Maryland. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking with their dog, traveling, trying new food and restaurants, reading, and attending live concerts by her favorite bands.

Joseph Koenig
Co-Director, Elementary GT Sinfonia

Mr. Joseph Koenig, from Catonsville, Maryland, is currently the Orchestra Director at Glenelg High School. He has taught previously at Folly Quarter Middle School and Glenwood Middle School.  Mr. Koenig holds a B.M.E. in Instrumental Music Education and a B.M. in Double Bass Performance from the University of Maryland, where he studied under Rick Barber of the National Symphony Orchestra.  

Mr. Koenig has participated as a bassist in summer programs such as the National Orchestral Institute, the National Music Festival, and the DCBass workshop, and has performed in local orchestras such as the Symphony of the Potomac, the Prince George’s Philharmonic, and the Columbia Orchestra.  He also teaches private lessons for young double bassists.  In addition to being a bassist, Mr. Koenig loves playing guitar and banjo.  When not teaching or making music, Mr. Koenig enjoys camping, biking, and rock climbing. 

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any questions about the Howard County Elementary GT Orchestra program.

You should be able to find answers to most of your questions on this site, but if you need to contact us, please email BOTH directors for your ensemble:

Elementary GT Orchestra Directors:

• Sari O’Bryan: Sari_O’Bryan@hcpss.org

• Sarah Lahan: Sarah_Lahan@hcpss.org

Elementary GT Sinfonia Directors:

• Joseph Koenig: Joseph_Koenig@hcpss.org

• Katie Hunt: Jaye_Hunt@hcpss.org

hCPSS Music Office

5451 Beaverkill Road
Columbia, MD, 21044