Welcome to the Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra- a Northampton, MA based ensemble exploring the world of guitar sounds

Welcome to the official site of The Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra:.
	Attention HVGO players!- videos and mp3s of your parts are HERE- QuickTime, iTunes, etc. NEWS... HVGO in the press.... Read Kathleen Mellen's excellent article on HVGO and Peter Blanchette from The Daily Hampshire Gazette, Feb. 19th Photo by Gordon Daniels

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE HAPPY VALLEY GUITAR ORCHESTRA?
Though we now have a full, 24-member roster, you can still become a member of the HVGO. We have rolling admissions for ensemble players and section leaders and will continue holding introductory sessions through late spring and early summer of 2009. HVGO rehearses six times each month; attendence at a minimum of four is required for membership, (though a high number of players are committing to all six meetings!) While there is no single set of skills needed to become a player, (ability to read standard notation and/or tab is preferred but not required), attendance at rehearsals and studying/practicing independently is necessary to be a part of this ambitious performance group. Participation in HVGO requires a significant artistic commitment.

To join us, go to our
Auditions / Contact page

The Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra brings together enthusiastic acoustic and electric guitarists from widely varied traditions to create new music that could only come from such an eclectic melange. HVGO provides an opportunity for musicians to expand their artistic horizons with an orchestra experience. Like the traditional symphony orchestra, the HVGO is an instrument unto itself, for which composers and arrangers can create new repertoire. HVGO strengthens community in our area by bringing artists together who might otherwise never collaborate. We make loud noise and beautiful music - it's both serious and fun.

Left: our new logo
designed by Soren Johnson
TeeShirts available now!

Learn more about our artistic director Peter Blanchette and his self-designed archguitar
			Check out the official website of this expanded-range instrument
			Peter Blanchette is the innovator responsible for the creation of the archguitar- an expanded-range guitar that, when played by Peter has been described as sounding like "Glenn Gould playing the guitar." Find out about his many recordings and projects here.
			Thanks to everyone for attending our hugely successful benefit concert on March 28th. We had a full house and had a good time meeting and greeting afterward at Packard's. Thanks again to our cosponsors of the event, the Northampton Center for the Arts.