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.

2026-2027 Audition Information

UPDATE: All auditions for the 2026–2027 school year will be conducted via video submission. This change was made to create a process more aligned with HCYO and other youth orchestras, with the goal of reducing adjustments as students transition to high school.

We understand that this is a new process and may represent a significant change, but it was implemented after careful consideration by the MSGT directors. We have also thoughtfully selected audition excerpts to help reduce the time commitment, stress, and technical demands on students who are auditioning for multiple groups.

Audition Materials

Similar to previous years, auditions will consist of four (4) major scales and two (2) excerpts. They can be found in the document linked here. The formatting allows for them to be read easier when printed for practicing.

Audition application process

All applications and audition videos for the 2026-2027 season will be due on May 31st by 11:59pm.  

Our process for auditions is as follows:

1) Review the audition requirements for your instrument and prepare the audition materials.  Be sure to listen to reference recordings.

2) Create a recording that you will submit. Here are some guidelines:

• Find a place to record that is free of distractions and resonant enough to capture the sound of your instrument.

• Lighting should be in front of you and should orient yourself toward the camera in a way where your technique is visible. 

• Record your audition in one take.  While you may make several attempts to record, you may not splice together different elements of the audition.

• The audition recording should begin with an introduction: Include your name, the school you are attending next year, and your grade for next year.  The audition requirements should be played in the order they are listed on the audition requirements page.

• You are not permitted to edit your recording after it is made.  Videos that use sound editing or video editing software will be disqualified.

• Upload your video to YouTube using your personal email account.  The title of your recording should be (Your Name), (Instrument), and “2026 MSGT Audition.”  Use the “Unlisted” privacy option.  Here is an instructional video that shows you how to set the video to unlisted. https://youtu.be/W1jnptpEC7c

• Please ignore the mention of an HCPSS YouTube account.  That option is only for high school students.

3) Once you have your video, please click here to fill out an application.

4) All applications must be received by May 31st.  It is highly recommended that you submit a few days early so that any problems you encounter can be resolved prior to the deadline.  There are no extensions to this deadline.

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