Pioneer Valley Symphony

The Pioneer Valley Symphony (PVS) is a distinguished community orchestra with a rich history of over 80 years, dedicated to presenting exceptional live symphonic and choral music to the Pioneer Valley region. Established in 1939 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the PVS has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of the area, serving communities in Greenfield, Northampton, Amherst, and extending its reach to southern Vermont. The PVS is notable for its commitment to high-quality performances and community engagement. It provides professional musical direction to nearly 200 volunteer musicians, including instrumentalists and vocalists. The organization's educational outreach is significant, with hundreds of children being introduced to orchestral and choral music each year through free educational concerts and materials. The Symphony has earned national acclaim for its innovative programming, particularly its focus on contemporary music, which has been recognized with three ASCAP awards for adventurous programming in 1997, 2011, and 2014. The PVS has also been responsible for a number of U.S. and world premieres, further cementing its reputation for excellence and innovation. The PVS comprises three main ensembles: the PVS Orchestra, the PVS Chorus and Chamber Choir, and the PVS Youth Orchestra. The PVS Orchestra, under the baton of Musical Director Tianhui Ng, typically presents five concerts annually. The Chorus and Chamber Choir, led by Chorus Director Allegra Martin, perform both with the Orchestra and independently, offering subscription concerts and community performances. The Youth Orchestra, directed by Nell Wiener, provides younger musicians with performance opportunities, including two community concerts each year, educational concerts for school students, and a collaboration with the adult symphony orchestra for the annual Holiday concert. In an effort to preserve its history, the PVS is curating an archive titled "PVS through the years," which will showcase 85 years of local musical history. This initiative reflects the organization's dedication to its heritage and the community it serves. The PVS is also committed to making live symphonic music accessible to all. Despite relying on ticket sales, dues, and tuition to fund its events and ensembles, the Symphony ensures that financial constraints do not hinder participation. This is achieved through various initiatives, such as sliding scale dues for ensembles, tuition scholarships for education programs, donation-based tickets for streamed events, a library pass partnership with over 30 local libraries, and a pay-what-you-can policy at the box office. For those interested in learning more about the PVS, seeking employment opportunities, or discussing financial accessibility options, the organization can be contacted at adminpvso.org or by phone at 413-773-3664.