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The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra was originally founded in 1961 as The Mercer County Symphony Orchestra. With student participation rates that expanded beyond the Mercer County borders, the ensemble ultimately became The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra in the 1970s. The GPYO consists of high school and middle school students from Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania; entrance is by competitive audition. The GPYO has performed challenging concerts and recitals at numerous local, regional venues including Carnegie Hall’s Issac Stern Auditorium, Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall, Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The New Jersey Governor’s Mansion Drumthwackett, The Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, The Mercer County Italian American Festival and several European Invitational Tours. Through their involvement with the orchestra, gifted young musicians from across central New Jersey and Pennsylvania hone their skills as performers in the four orchestral groups as well as in chamber music and quartet ensembles. The founding conductor of the GPYO is Matteo Giammario; he led the ensemble from 1961 until Fernando Raucci assumed the role of artistic director and conductor. Kawika Kahalehoe became artistic director in 2005 and conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra and Prep Wind ensemble. Dr. Arvin Gopal became conductor of the Concert Orchestra and Prep String ensembles in 2012.

Ensembles
Symphonic Orchestra

The Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Kawika Kahalehoe, is the top level ensemble for the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. This ensemble features advanced musicians from the central Jersey and Pennsylvania regions. Students invited to play in the symphonic orchestra enjoy music of the highest level, most of which is played by professional ensembles around the world. Symphonic Orchestra members perform two or more concerts throughout the year, and often are asked to play in chamber music performances. The students of the Symphonic Orchestra range in age from middle school to high school seniors. This ensemble is not age restricted.

Concert Orchestra

The concert orchestra, composed of talented developing musicians ranging from middle school through high school, performs under the direction of Dr. Arvin Gopal. This ensemble offers students the full symphonic orchestra experience, which is not common amongst most school programs in New Jersey. A concert orchestra musician is ready to be challenged by advanced repertoire, but will also use the experience to develop the technique necessary to be ready for the GPYO Symphonic Orchestra. The string, woodwind, brass and percussion students in Concert Orchestra will have small sectional rehearsals throughout the year to address the repertoire being performed, as well as opportunities to further the musical technique on their instrument.

Preparatory String Ensemble

Dr. Arvin Gopal leads the Prep Strings ensemble. It is designed to offer an introductory string ensemble experience to students ranging from grades 4-9. Students in this ensemble will be challenged to become more independent musicians, which will in turn complement their school ensemble experience. More time will be dedicated to develop string technique which will prepare students to continue into the senior division. Repertoire includes music designed for advanced middle school and high school students.

Preparatory Wind Ensemble

The prep winds ensemble, under the direction of Kawika Kahalehoe, is designed for developing students in grades 4-9. Students involved in prep winds are challenged to be independent musicians, something very different from what they commonly see in their school ensembles. Prep winds members are often the only person playing their part which requires a great deal of individual responsibility and helps the student grow to become a very confident, independent musician. Students in this ensemble also face the task of performing a wide variety of music with challenging parts typically suited for advanced middle schools and high schools.