The US Guitar Orchestra poses in the courtyard of a church in Seville, Spain.

USGO after a concert in Seville, Spain with soloist Xavier Jara (2022)

On Stage, In Learning Spaces, In The Studio, & In Community

NEW ALBUM RELEASE

VALUES, VISION & MISSION

The US Guitar Orchestra (USGO) is committed to promoting artistic excellence in classical guitar orchestra, ensemble, and chamber music. The USGO seeks to empower guitarists in discovering deeper meaning and purpose through connecting with other players and audiences. 

We believe in creating and building community through collaborative musical experiences. 

We are passionate that through travel and touring we increase awareness of the guitar as a collaborative instrument, while both gaining and sharing global perspectives within and outside the guitar culture. 

We are committed to promoting the guitar beyond tradition through commissioning and recording new works that blur boundaries of genre with the aim of the guitar being more integrated and celebrated into the world musical community.

The mission of the US Guitar Orchestra (USGO) is to build community and advance classical guitar ensemble music through performance, education, recording, and the creation of new repertoire. By uniting guitarists, composers, and audiences worldwide, USGO cultivates artistic excellence and connects people through the shared joy of making music together.

  • "I really love USGO and I'm thankful to have been given the opportunity. The 2022 trip to Spain was my first time outside of the country and the fact that I was surrounded by so many talented guitarists from around the country made the experience a thousand times better."

    Damian G.

  • "The US guitar orchestra was a perfect fit for a tour of Spain, a country with a rich history of the instrument. The birth place of flamenco guitar reminded me of the roots of our instrument set alongside the novel idea of an orchestra of only guitarists. Dr. Kami Rowan continues to help us envision the new places our instrument can still go. The unconventional and intricate “Because it’s There” is a perfect fit for the equally unique orchestra of guitarists and makes for a moving tribute to one of the instrument’s greatest creative minds, Michael Hedges. It was truly an honor to be a part of a tribute to a legend. Having been on both the France and Spain trips, I am amazed at all the nuance and beauty that can come from an entire orchestra of guitarists. With the brilliant Dr. Kami Rowan at the helm, I am extremely excited about the potential new places the orchestra can go in the future. The passion for the guitar is palpable in this orchestra; the tour felt like a gesture of love to the instrument itself. I walked away from the Spain tour feeling proud that we gave our instrument its chance in the orchestral limelight. "

    Brendan L.

  • "The USGO has given me the opportunity to travel to places I wouldn’t have been able to visit otherwise, and build connections with people I otherwise would not have met. These experiences and relationships have helped me grow as a musician, guitarist, and person. Kami is one of the most encouraging, supportive, affirming, and dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Her positive energy and passion for what she does truly brings out the best musicianship in all of us and the opportunity to learn from her is one of the reasons I will continue to return to the USGO."

    Katie P.

  • "Performing as a member of the USGO has been one of the musical and cultural highlights of my career as a guitarist. The opportunity to work with a group of such talented and diverse guitarists to bring newly commissioned works to life while simultaneously getting the experience of traveling abroad and sharing in the cultural exchange of music, art, architecture, and cuisine(!) is a truly unique experience! I can’t thank Kami and the USGO team enough for creating this opportunity for young guitarists like myself across the country.”

    Michael C.

The US Guitar Orchestra poses for a photo in front of Carnegie Hall in New York City.

USGO outside Carnegie Hall, with soloist William Kanengiser, composers Kevin Callahan, Brian Head, and Bryan Johanson, and Tom Kikta of the Aaron Shearer Foundation (2019)