THE ORCHESTRA​
The Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra (PVSO) is comprised of about 80 talented musicians from our region. Directed by Maestro Tianhui Ng, they perform repertoire ranging from beloved classics to pops, to regional and world premieres. The PVSO offers great opportunities for passionate instrumentalists to perform inspiring music together.
86TH SEASON CONCERTS
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Ancient Burlesque
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 7PM
Greenfield High School
Greenfield, MA
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Peer Gynt: Annual Education Concert
Thursday, April 11, 2025, 10AM
Greenfield High School
Greenfield, MA
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Windows Into Other Worlds
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 7PM
Belchertown High School
Belchertown, MA
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Home Alone! Holiday Pops
Saturday, December 14, 2024, 4PM
Greenfield High School
Greenfield, MA
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Jubilant Caprices
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 3PM
Belchertown High School
Belchertown, MA
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Frankenstein
Friday, October 18, 2024, 7:30PM
UMass Amherst Concert Hall
Amherst, MA
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AUDITIONS
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The PVSO is serious... serious about orchestral music, serious about presenting high-quality performances, and serious about having fun! It is this atmosphere that attracts talented instrumentalists from across our region.
Membership in the PVSO 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 PVSO and/or serving on our sub list. 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.
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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. The personnel manager serves as the point of contact for the potential member.
DUES
Since concert ticket sales account for less than one-third of the cost of producing a PVS season, the organization works on fundraising year-round, and many sponsors, donors (many PVS Orchestra and Chrous members among them), and funders answer the call. However, there is still a gap. All members of the PVS Orchestra and Chorus pay dues to help make the cost of their ensemble's rehearsals possible. Membership dues help the PVS pay for our stellar directors and accompanist, rehearsal venues, staff support, and all the administrative costs involved in running a small non-profit organization. Because on the PVS's core values is to ensure the accessibility of our programs to all members of the community, dues are offered on a sliding scale. Members are free to choose the dues rate that is right for them.
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$100 sem/$200 year EQUITABLE RATE: This rate helps to subsidize other musicians.
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$80 sem/$160 year SUSTAINABLE RATE: The actual per-musician cost for rehearsals.
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$60 sem/$120 year ACCESSIBLE RATE: Discounted dues for those who need assistance.
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No one is turned away from the Orchestra for lack of funds. To learn more about financial aid options, contact 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 0103
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Announcements about changes will be made via email or at rehearsals.
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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.