The idea of a guitar orchestra came to me after having played in one at San Diego State University. I soon realized that the tradition of plucked instruments and their players getting together to form orchestras has a long history. Consider the mandolin orchestras of Vivaldi, Balalaika orchestras of Russia and now guitar orchestras throughout the world. A guitar orchestra includes sections divided up into 4 to 8 parts with multiple players on each part. While exploring a wide variety of music including classical, jazz and world music styles a guitar orchestra can also include other instruments such as percussion, bass, strings, winds, specialty guitars and more. The sound (timbre) of 20 or more guitarists can be likened to a giant harp. It is our hope that you'll be inspired to hear a live performance someday. In a live performance you will capture a heightened sense of the beauty and camaraderie of musicians sharing music together as in days of old.

-Peter Pupping
 Director

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