Imagine performances composed of a rotating cast of talented musicians from well-known bands, in which no two shows are alike, where the players improvise music, create songs, involve the audience and offer an unparalleled live music experience.

The Everyone Orchestra does just that.

The Everyone Orchestra plays at 7 p.m. April 26, The Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. This will be the group's first performance at the Sherman.

The orchestra's avant-garde concept was the brainchild of conductor Matt Butler, who founded it in 2001. The drummer of the 1990's band, Jambay, cites his childhood in Eugene, Ore., as part of the of the inspiration for creating The Everyone Orchestra.

"I was raised in an orchestral household," says Butler, in a phone interview from his home in Portland, Ore. "My mother played in the Eugene Symphony and we had symphonic people in and out of our house, including conductors. There was a lot of influence and really profound musicians."

Butler describes having a blessed childhood, growing up with some of the children of the Grateful Dead members, in a college town filled with alternative music culture.

Butler has lived in San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle, and eventually settled in Portland, where he lives with his wife and two children.

The relationships that Butler forged while playing in Jambay, and his experiences with the band, helped shape his vision. "We had incredible jam sessions. It was magical, sharing open mics and hosting drum circles."

"I lived hand-to-mouth with the band for six or seven years, and experienced what it's like to be married to four other creative people day in and day out.

"I knew there had to be some other way, a platform for musicians to come together to perform in an improvised way that is not heavy."

Butler plays with musicians from bands such as Phish, Moe, The Flecktones and Tea Leaf Green.

"The role the conductor plays is multifaceted," says Butler. "I facilitate. I host. I take responsibility off of the players. They just show up and are present and ready to interact and give me ideas to work with."

Orchestra members solo back and forth, while vocalists create verses and ask for ideas from the audience. Butler communicates with musicians by using hand signals and whiteboards.

There have been dancers, painters, hula-hoopers, fire spinners and jugglers as part of the show. "It dazzles the listener."

Butler has worked with more than 600 musicians since the orchestra's inception. The venues and schedules determine who the participants will be. "We start calling and see who's available."

Butler speaks with great enthusiasm about the musicians he'll be working with, such as Andrew Altman, bassist for Railroad Earth. "He's an insane musician. He has a whole bag of tricks."

Of Jason Hann, drummer and percussionist for String Cheese Incident, Butler says, he's "a world-renowned cat."

Regarding Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon, he says, he's "a preeminent mandolin fiddle player, and super fun to work with.

"I am so blessed," says Butler. "The audience will get to see these guys in a whole different light."

The four-day tour takes The Everyone Orchestra first to Leesburg, Va., then Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Stroudsburg.

It's important to Butler that performers have time to focus on their lives and be with family. "That's what I was trying to design.

"There's a beauty to it in that it does capture the element of a honeymoon period for a band.

"We're selling the alchemy of the different ingredients," says Butler. "That's my favorite part about this. It's like a Crock-Pot. You throw everything in and see what you get."