Enjoy a rare opportunity to design an acoustic guitar with masters of the craft at the fifth annual Northampton Community College (NCC) and C.F. Martin and Company Guitar Design Workshop, from Tuesday, August 7 through Friday, August 11, 2006 at NCC, 3835 Green Pond Road , Bethlehem Township.

Guitar experts will lead participants on a tour of C.F. Martin and Company’s facilities, including the new Sound Room, which captures and analyzes sounds, and the new and improved Museum and Visitors Center with its “Pickin Parlor,” where you can try the guitars. Renowned guitar maker Dale Unger and Martin and Company Director of Instrument Design Tim Teel will share fundamental design tips.

Participants will also create their own three-dimensional “theme” design model to be evaluated by a panel of C.F. Martin and Company staff, including the company’s CEO, Christian F. Martin IV. Prizes will include: Grand Prize, a Martin 16 Series Guitar; Participants’ Choice Award, a Martin X Series Guitar; and Instructors’ Choice Award, an LX Little Martin Guitar. All class members will receive Backpack guitars.

Guitar enthusiasts from all over the United States and Canada have participated in past workshops. Class members have ranged in age from sixteen to their seventies.

Tuition is $999 and includes instruction, lab time, materials, lunches, an awards luncheon, and a musical performance by authorized Martin Guitar dealers. Housing on NCC’s campus is available at an additional charge. Registration for the workshop is limited to 15 people. To register, call toll-free 1-877-543-0998 or go to www.northampton.edu. For more information call 610-861-4553.