About Us

As a young student of music, Joseph A. Guzzardo studied and traveled extensively gaining knowledge of stringed instruments while expanding his repertoire. With enormous enthusiasm, he founded GUZZARDO MUSIC in 1932 at the age of 21 by opening his first studio and teaching music on both a private and group basis. He launched his business in the midst of the Great Depression and later sustained his company through World War II. During those hard times, bartering produce for lessons was a common form of compensation. Later, he opened his first storefront studio at State and Main in the heart of downtown Rockford.

From these humble beginnings, Mr. Guzzardo developed a following of students that blossomed into the hundreds. He was instrumental in the development of the American Guild of Music, which for many years hosted annual contests designed to provide a measurement of student progress. These same students also participated in numerous competitions, including the Illinois State Fair Music Contests where they won hundreds and hundreds of awards.

As student participation and enrollment multiplied and as his reputation expanded throughout Northern Illinois, Mr. Guzzardo developed band programs specifically for each level of student progress. Recitals where given every month and students also participated in numerous parades and performed in concerts at Sinnissippi Park Band Shell and County Fairs. Many of these students currently teach music education and perform in Rockford and the surrounding areas.

From its inception, Guzzardo Music has promoted and encouraged the advancement of music. As a natural progression from this studio teaching concept, Guzzardo Music began renting and servicing instruments to students enrolled in both public and private school band and orchestra programs. These activities have transformed Guzzardo Music into the largest music service institution in the Northern Illinois area.

Guzzardo Music has successfully combined its involvement in music education with direct musical instrument and equipment sales. In 1975, Guzzardo Music, under the guidance of Joseph A. Guzzardo Jr., opened its present location at 3010 Charles in Rockford, IL. The expanded facilities have made this establishment one of the largest music stores in the Midwest. Its products, ranging from guitars, drums, and synthesizers to sound reinforcement, recording products, and band and orchestra instruments have made it a haven for both the amateur and professional musician alike. From its basic roots founded on music education to its present status as a full service musical retailer, Guzzardo Performance Music has maintained the highest level of integrity and service to the community.

Today, this same tradition of high standards continues through an Employee Stock Ownership Program. Guzzardo Performance Music is now an entirely employee owned company. All full time employees own stock in Guzzardo Performance Music where they are whole-heartedly involved in the progress, performance and results of their business. You can trust that this involvement creates the ultimate in service to our customers.

The full time, dedicated Owner Employees of Guzzardo Music extend to you our very best assistance toward your musical success.