The Preparatory String Orchestra is oriented towards students who are just beginning their musical  careers.   To join the orchestra, students must be in the second grade or older and successfully audition with the conductor.  Rehearsals are on most Thursday evenings during the school year with typically four concerts performed every season.  Check our Calendar for details.  If you have any questions about the orchestra please send an e-mail to nsjyo@njsyo.org or feel free to stop by to talk to us at any rehearsal.

Conductor, Katie Gussman

Katie Gussman developed and has been teaching the String Orchestra program at both Marlboro Township Middle Schools since 2001. Under her direction, the string orchestra program has grown from 15 students to nearly 170 students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Mrs. Gussman is a freelance violinist who performs throughout New Jersey and currently plays with The Monmouth Symphony, The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea and the Java String Quartet. Katie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from Augsburg College where she studied violin with Mr. David Tubergan of the Minnesota Orchestra. She became certified to teach music in 2001.