About GPYO

The mission of the GREATER PRINCETON YOUTH ORCHESTRA (GPYO) is to provide excellent training and performance opportunities for students seeking a challenging musical ensemble experience, and to cultivate a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

The GPYO is proud to be celebrating over 60 years of delighting audiences. Our ensembles are open to elementary to high school students by competitive audition. Through their involvement with the orchestra, gifted young musicians from across central New Jersey and Pennsylvania hone their skills as performers in a large orchestral group, as well as in chamber and quartet ensembles. They learn to work with others in pursuing common goals, and enrich all of our lives through public performances of classical music.

THE GREATER PRINCETON YOUTH ORCHESTRA is a not for profit, 501(c) (3) organization that is supported through membership fees, performance revenues, program ads, and generous gifts from individuals, local businesses and foundations. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. GPYO is eligible for United Way and corporate matching funds.
 
The GPYO Experience

Monday Night Rehearsals:
GPYO has four ensembles that meet for weekly rehearsals:
 
Symphonic Orchestra (Advanced): 7:15 – 9:30 pm
Concert Orchestra (Intermediate): 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Preparatory String Ensemble: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Chamber Winds: 5:30 – 7:00 pm

During the 2022-2023 Season, we are rehearsing at:

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton
50 Cherry Hill Road
​Princeton, NJ  08540

Ensembles

• Symphonic Orchestra - Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor

The Symphonic Orchestra is the flagship ensemble for the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. This ensemble features some of the most advanced musicians in 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 many concerts throughout the year, and often are asked to play in chamber music performances. The students of the Symphonic Orchestra, most of whom are members of regional and state ensembles, or intend to pursue music as a major in college, range in age from middle school to high school seniors. This ensemble is not age restricted, students must simply possess very advanced musical skill and the desire to play music of great difficulty and high art.

• Concert Orchestra - Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor

The Concert Orchestra is comprised of talented developing musicians ranging from middle school through high school, with some upper elementary students. This ensemble offers students the full symphonic orchestra experience, which is not common among 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 instruments.

• Preparatory String Ensemble - Blair Cunningham, conductor

The Preparatory String Ensemble is designed to offer an introductory string ensemble experience to students ranging from elementary through middle school. 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. ​ 

• Chamber Winds - David Rabinowitz, conductor

The Chamber Winds are intermediate level wind and brass players who are developing their musicianship skills in a smaller group setting. They focus on the essentials of performing: phrasing, sound production, tuning, and playing as a cohesive ensemble. Members are often expected to play “one-on-a-part.” This encourages them to develop the confidence and independence expected of symphonic wind and brass musicians.

Performances
GPYO has performed challenging concerts and recitals at numerous local, regional and international venues.

• Carnegie Hall Issac Stern Auditorium
• Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall
• Kimmel Center of Performing Arts, Verizon Hall
• Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center
• Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
• New Jersey Governor’s Mansion Drumthwacket
• Several European Invitational Tours.

Sectional Rehearsals and Masterclasses
Sectional rehearsals are integrated into our regular rehearsal schedules for Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra players.
We invite prominent orchestral musicians from around the region to share instrument-specific techniques and tips to enhance our students' orchestral playing.
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We also schedule twice-yearly masterclasses with esteemed musicians who perform as soloists around the country and around the world. Students audition for the opportunity to receive feedback on solo repertoire. Our students have been fortunate to receive instruction from violinist Charles Yang, pianist Elisha Abas, French horn player Jeff Lang, and others.