The Philharmonic is GYSO’s intermediate symphonic orchestra: an orchestral ensemble that includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. The Philharmonic performs at least three concerts per season of repertoire that corresponds to GMEA’s (Georgia Music Educators Association) difficulty grades of 4-5. Philharmonic members should be comfortable performing major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales in two octaves in key signatures from four sharps to four flats, concert pitch.
• Philharmonic performs 3-4 concerts per season.
• Standard rehearsals are Sundays, 3:00-5:30 PM at KSU
David Metrio is a Colombian-American educator, conductor, and double-bassist based in the Atlanta area. Mr. Metrio is currently the Director of Orchestras at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA, as well as the conductor for the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Metrio has also served as a double bass clinician for the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, MA. Mr. Metrio was named the Teacher of the Year at North Gwinnett High School for the 2022/2023 school year, and a Top 25 Finalist for County-Wide Teacher of the Year.
Orchestras under Mr. Metrio’s direction consistently receive superior ratings at performance evaluations and frequently perform in concert and invitational settings. Most recently, the North Gwinnett High School Chamber Orchestra has been invited to compete at the American String Teacher Association’s National Orchestra Festival in March of 2025. Under his direction, the North Gwinnett High School Chamber Orchestra was also invited to perform at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Georgia Music Educator Association’s In-Service conference, the Capital Orchestra Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and the Kennesaw State University Orchestra Invitational. The North Gwinnett High School Orchestra has also been named a national winner in the Mark of Excellence/National Orchestra Honors project by the Foundation for Music Education. Mr. Metrio is in demand as a guest clinician and conductor, and has been invited to conduct, present, or adjudicate at various orchestra festivals around the southeast.
Mr. Metrio is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), where he serves on the state board of directors as Chairman for District 13, as well as a member of the state standing committee for the orchestra division. Mr. Metrio is also the organizer for the GMEA Allstate 11/12 Full Orchestra. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), where he serves as the membership liaison for the Georgia chapter. Before serving as Director of Orchestras at North Gwinnett High School, Mr. Metrio served as the Director of Orchestras at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA. In 2020, Mr. Metrio was named the Professional Association of Georgia Educators STAR teacher for Lanier High School as well as a finalist for Lanier High School Teacher of the Year.