Middle School GT Orchestras

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.

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

Rehearsal Days

• The Howard County Middle School GT Orchestra and Sinfonia will rehearse on TUESDAYS, 4:15 - 6:15 pm.

2024-2025 Audition Registration

Auditions for Middle School GT Orchestra and Sinfonia will be held on May 30, May 31, and June 1 at Atholton High School. Please download the Audition Materials to see the requirements and to start preparing your music. Next, complete the Audition Registration Google Form. We will then send you an invitation to sign up for an audition time. Please be sure that all email addresses are correct to help us communicate with you.

Audition Results for the 2024-2025 Season

Handbooks and Payment information will be released by June 14th. We are only publishing orchestra rosters for now. We will send another email out with final steps for registration and payment, plus the updated calendar of rehearsals and concerts.

Middle School GT Orchestra Handbook (to be published later)

Middle School GT Orchestra Roster (listed alphabetically by last name)

Middle School GT Sinfonia Handbook (to be published later)

Middle School GT Sinfonia Roster (listed alphabetically by last name)

Directors

Matthew boggs, GT Orchestra Co-Director

Matthew Boggs received his Music Education degree from Peabody Conservatory in 2006. While at Peabody he studied with Paul Johnson and previously studied with Arnold Gregorian and Hampton Childress of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Since 2006,  he has been a music educator in Howard County Public Schools where he has taught orchestra at all 3 levels; elementary, middle, and high school. Currently, he is the Orchestra Director at Centennial High School. Outside of being a high school orchestra teacher, he has been a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for various county, regional, and state festivals.  
Mr. Boggs has been a freelance musician and has appeared with Maryland Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Maryland Philharmonic, and other ensembles in the Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia area.  In addition, he is actively maintaining a private studio and has been with Bass Works, a summer music camp for bassists, since it began in 2011.

Bonnie Zeitler, GT orchestra Co-Director

Mrs. Bonnie Zeitler is a National Board-Certified string specialist in the Howard County Public School System and is currently directing a program of over 230 string students at Manor Woods Elementary School. She has taught in multiple middle and elementary schools in Howard County since moving to Maryland in 2003, and has been at MWES exclusively since 2012.  She is delighted to co-direct the Howard County Middle School Gifted and Talented Orchestra.  
Mrs. Zeitler is a sought after guest-conductor, as well as a judge for Orchestral Adjudications and Solo & Ensemble Festivals across Maryland. Mrs. Zeitler has served as representative for Howard County’s Music Leadership Team and a guest lecturer for professional development sessions teaching other music educators.  Mrs. Zeitler has maintained a private violin and viola studio for over 25 years.  She loves teaching at music camps each summer, including the Marriotts Ridge Music Camp.

Mrs. Zeitler began playing the violin at age 4.  She studied in San Francisco, New Orleans, San Diego and here in the Baltimore area and was the concertmaster of multiple university orchestras.  She holds a Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education and a Masters of Science degree in Advanced Teaching Practices. Her music education programs featured special focus on both chamber music and cross-cultural language and development.  She lives in Carroll County, Maryland with her husband and two sons, who are also musicians.

darren Mcfate, GT Sinfonia Co-director

Darren McFate has been teaching orchestral music for over 20 years in the states of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. This is his 7th year as a string specialist in the Howard County Public School System.  During his tenure in Fairfax County, Virginia, Mr. McFate directed the Robinson High School Symphony Orchestra. In 2005, their performance of Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony won them the title of Grand National Champions in a nationwide orchestra competition. Mr. McFate earned his bachelor’s degree from The Eastman School of Music where he studied conducting under Donald Hunsberger. He received his master’s in Conducting from Duquesne University. Also an accomplished pianist, composer, and arranger, Mr. McFate has performed throughout the US, and abroad.  He is married to Rebecca McFate, who is the choral director at Harper's Choice Middle School.  They live in New Market, MD, and have 5 children, and 1 grandson.  

dee newberger, gt sinfonia co-director

Dee Newberger was born into a family of musicians. At age six, she began studying cello and auditioned into the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She holds a Cello Performance Diploma from Central Conservatory of Music, and Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Shenandoah Conservatory.

 Mrs. Newberger has served as orchestra director in the public schools of Maryland for over a decade. She is currently the director of orchestras at Long Reach High School. Mrs. Newberger has conducted the Howard County Middle School Honor Orchestra and has served as guest conductor for the Baltimore and St. Mary’s All County Orchestras. She is a frequent festival adjudicator and clinician for various public school systems in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

 An active performer, Mrs. Newberger appears frequently as an orchestral cellist with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony, and Shippensburg Festival Orchestra. She has performed as a chamber musician and soloist with numerous ensembles in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and DC.

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any questions about the orchestra.

MSGTO:
Matthew_Boggs@hcpss.org
Bonnie_Zeitler@hcpss.org

MSGTS:
Darren_McFate@hcpss.org
Dee_Newberger@hcpss.org

hCPSS Music Office

5451 Beaverkill Road
Columbia, MD, 21044