REGISTRATION for FALL 2026 GUITAR ORCHESTRAS IS NOW OPEN.
REGISTER HERE
The deadline for fall 2026 registration is midnight on September 1, 2026.
- Guitar Orchestras are a great way for amateur guitarists of all ages and skill levels in the Greater Cleveland Area to learn, play, and perform.
- CCGS offers two guitar orchestras, Community Guitar Orchestra and Cleveland Guitar Orchestra, with the Cleveland Orchestra being the more advanced. Both orchestras are directed by Tom Ray (more about Tom below).
- Guitar Orchestra sessions are offered each fall and spring. These “semesters” consist of nine to ten rehearsals and one public performance. If you are new to CCGS and are not sure which orchestra is right for you or if you have any other questions about our programs please contact us at info@cleguitar.org.
- The fee for these orchestras is $150.
-ALSO-
Sign up for our Cleveland Guitarist Community Email list here to get notices about registrations and future performance opportunities.
FALL 2026 Rehearsal Schedule
Community Guitar Orchestra | Saturdays 10:00-11:00
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | November 7, 14, 21 | December 5
Cleveland Guitar Orchestra | Sundays 1:15-2:45
October 4, 11, 18, 25 | November 1, 8, 15, 22 | December 6
Performance date and time TBA
Locations
Rehearsal Location: Church of the Covenant
11205 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH
Performance Location: Community of St. Peter Church
7100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH
About Tom Ray
(Director of CCCG Guitar Orchestras)
Tom received his Bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Baldwin Wallace University, studying under Dr. Loris Chobanian and has his Master’s degree in classical guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Jason Vieaux and Colin Davin. His musical influences and teaching styles cover a broad cross-section, including shred, classical, blues, jazz, rock, finger style, and more.
Tom has taught guitar, bass, ukulele, songwriting, and theory to students of all ages for more than 15 years in Cleveland at Aurora School of Music, in New York City at Encore Music Lessons and Music, Dance & Art School of Douglaston, and in New Jersey at Believe in Music Studio. While in Austin, he was hired to take over a well-established studio at Don’t Stop Rockin’ and helped the studio expand while participating in rock and roll camps designed to give young musicians real-world experience in the field of music performance.
Tom has performed in many different settings including performing Concerto for Electric Guitar, which was composed for him by Dr. Chobanian. He has also performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City, played the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, and has performed in over 50 pit orchestras. Since returning to Cleveland after a decade away, Tom has performed in the pit for “Kinky Boots” at BW, is performing as a jazz duo with his wife playing weekly brunch at District in Playhouse Square, and has performed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.