THE ORCHESTRA
The Pioneer Valley Symphony is comprised of 70-90 incredibly talented volunteers and professionals from across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Directed by Maestro Tianhui Ng, they perform repertoire ranging from beloved classics to pops, to regional and world premieres, the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra offers wonderful opportunities for passionate instrumentalists to perform great works.
CALL FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS
The Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra is growing our roster of permanent and substitute musicians. Auditions are held on a rolling basis on Wednesday evenings in Northampton beginning August 31st. Musicians may perform any music of their choice, up to 8 minutes total. Ideally, selections should include two excerpts from contrasting works from either solo or orchestral repertoire that demonstrate both technical facility and musicianship. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read. Anyone intending to play more than one instrument must audition on all instruments.
To audition, contact Personnel Manager TL LaFleur at TL@pvso.org.
AUDITIONS
The PVS Orchestra is serious… Serious about classical music, serious about a quality performance, and serious about having fun! It is this atmosphere that attracts many incredibly talented instrumentalists from across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Membership in the PVS Orchestra is open to qualified musicians willing to make a commitment to perform with us throughout the season. We accept inquiries throughout the year from instrumentalists interested in joining the PVS Orchestra. To learn more or express interest, please email your name, contact information, and a resume or brief description of your musical background to our personnel manager at personnel@pvso.org.
All new members must audition. Auditions are informal and brief, lasting at most 15 minutes. Applicants may perform any music of their choice. Ideally, their choices should include two short selections from contrasting works–fast and slow, from either solo or orchestral repertoire–that demonstrate both technical facility and musicianship. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read a piece of music.
Anyone intending to play more than one instrument must audition on all instruments. The personnel manager will arrange the time for the audition and assemble an audition panel consisting of the music director, section principals, and other interested musicians. The audition will be run by the pertinent section principal, who will choose the sight-reading selection and make copies available to the audition panel. Following the audition, the panel will privately discuss the audition and come to a consensus on whether the applicant should be accepted as a member.
DUES
Did you know that concert ticket sales account for less than one-third the cost of producing a PVS Orchestra season? Staff and volunteers fundraise year-round to support the PVSO, and many sponsors, donors (many PVSO members among them), and funders answer the call. But there is still a gap. As of the 2022-23 season, all members of the PVS pay dues or tuition to sustainably defray the cost of their ensemble's rehearsals. Your membership dues help the Orchestra pay for rehearsal space, music, insurance, staff support, and other costs.
We strive to ensure accessibility of our programs to all members of the community. Dues are offered on a sliding scale. Please choose the dues rate that is right for you.
$80 SUSTAINABLE RATE: The per-musician cost to sustain orchestra rehearsals.
$60 ACCESSIBLE RATE: Discounted dues to support access to music for all.
$100 EQUITABLE RATE: Help us keep PVS programs accessible to all.
No one is turned away from the Orchestra for lack of funds. To learn more about financial aid options, contact us at billing@pvso.org or (413) 773-3664.
REHEARSALS
Wednesday evenings
7:30–10:00 PM
Most Holy Redeemer Parish Hall:
120 Russell St, Hadley, MA 01035
**PLEASE NOTE: As of August 1, 2023, the PVS Orchestra welcomes but no longer requires face masks.**
See rehearsal schedule on this page. Announcements about changes will be made via email or at rehearsals.
Attendance of instrumentalists at all rehearsals is vitally important. As a general rule, instrumentalists should miss no more than one rehearsal in a short concert cycle or three rehearsals in a long cycle. If it is necessary to miss a rehearsal, please contact the personnel manager in advance. If you have unusual circumstances that affect your attendance, you should consult with the conductor.