“Sensational isn’t a word I like to toss around. But in a very clear way, the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra delivered a sensational all-Puccini program.”

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, February 10, 2010

“A memorable and impassioned performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony...Gussman's interpretation was full-blooded and keenly successful.”

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, February 23, 2009

“Overall, this rarely played [Sibelius] work was done with ardor and understanding, a full, juicy reading.”

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, January 29, 2008

“Gussman...managed just the right balance of passion and precision from the ensemble...powerful and effective...the Prokofiev was enormously satisfying, a strong performance.”

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, October, 2004

“The ensemble is semi-pro, but for this piece the "pro" was far and away the predominant feature. Robust yet nuanced, careful yet not overly cautious, this was true music-making.”

¾Paul Somers, Classical New Jersey, January 8, 2004

Now in his nineteenth season as Music Director of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, Roy Gussman is one of the area's most accomplished conductors. Whether he's conducting classical, Broadway, or popular music, Roy communicates his love of music in a unique and exciting way to musicians and audiences alike. A graduate of Jersey City State College and the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was a conducting student of Richard Pittmann and a clarinet student of Joe Allard, Roy is also in his eighth season as conductor of the New Jersey State Senior Youth Orchestra, and he serves as a trustee of the Monmouth Conservatory of Music. In addition to conducting, he is an active freelance clarinetist, and has been the principal clarinet with the Orchestra of Saint Peter by the Sea for the last twenty-three years. He has also been very active as a chamber musician, performing with the Red Bank Chamber Music Society and many other chamber music groups throughout the tristate area. In addition, he is a much sought-after adjudicator for festivals and arts groups throughout the state.

Assistant Conductor
Lucian Rinando

“I marveled at flutist Lucian Rinando's performance, a brilliant display of control of his instrument and breath, producing the high pitched "coloratura" notes, the sweetness of sustained lower notes, trills that were perfection¾a virtuoso performance that elicited an outpouring of applause from the audience."

¾Helene Kylen, Atlantic Highlands Herald, April 4, 2009

“Warm, sumptuous performances...Rinando's gestures seemed graceful and confident in his interpretation."

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, April 3, 2009

“Rinando was completely at ease with the orchestra. His interpretation was right on target, and the ensemble played extremely well.”

¾Carlton Wilkinson, Asbury Park Press, April 3, 2008

American flutist and conductor Lucian Rinando, now in his fourth season as Assistant Conductor of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, has delighted audiences and critics alike with his sensibility and love for music making. Lucian returned to the MSO podium in March 2010 to conduct a bravura performance of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, the charming Overture to Mignon, and the Wolf-Ferrari English Horn Concertino featuring Nicholas Gatto as soloist. Lucian earned a Bachelor Degree of Music Performance Cum Laude from Duquesne University as a pupil of flutist Bernard Goldberg. He received conducting training from the Conductors Institute at Bard College working with Jeffrey Schindler, known for his studio work on Hollywood film score recordings. Lucian is principal flutist with the Garden State Philharmonic and has recently performed as principal flute with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. He performs chamber music in New York City and locally with the Red Bank Chamber Music Society and has performed for more than a decade with his trio, Elysian, an ensemble of flute, cello, and harp. He also is a longtime instructor of flute at the Monmouth Conservatory.