Monday, July 1, 2013

New World Guitar to be Awarded at 30th Anniversary!

 We recieved a very nice letter from Clare Callahan, Professor Classical Guitar, from the College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati thanking us profusely for our gift of a New World Estudio Guitar to their 30th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar Workshop.
Clare says the guitar arrived safely earlier in the week, and they're all so enamored with the instrument.
Initially Jon Marshall got in touch with us about getting ideas for awarding a guitar at the workshops Saturday concert – "and you just solved the whole problem by sending us one!" says Clare.
        She stated "We don't have a competition, so that wouldn't be the mechanism, we have guitarists age 10 through retirement…who convene for a week in July and attend classes in Technique, Ensemble, Masterclasses, and Special Topics. Every night we show another facet of the guitar in recitals – with other guitars, with other instruments, as a solo instrument, playing in the Saturday Guitar Orchestra and then a concert devoted to only participants doing solos, duos, trios, quartets, etc. on Sunday afternoon.   

        It's a slow process, getting classical guitar into the American musical bloodstream, because this is a Pop country.  But we deserve a place at the table… the instrument is beautiful and the repertoire terrific!  Most guitarists don't even know the extent and breadth of their own repertoire!   We celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar Department here in April and ten days  from now we'll celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar Workshop.  Your guitar will be the cherry on top!  
        Over the years, we've had several Kenny Hill guitars in the department.  Jordan Dodson, one of the first two students to be admitted to the new Curtis Institute of Music Guitar program two years ago plays one.  Andy Wygant, who is leaving in September for Brussels to study with Antigoni plays one.  Patrick Smith who is headed out to study with David Tanenbaum at San Francisco Conservatory plays one.  Others have come through the department…. And Rod Stucky in the Prep Dept has students on your instruments.  We are always pleased with Kenny Hill guitars and are delighted to have this one to award on Saturday, July 13th!  We'll put the names of all the participants in a hat and draw a name….many, many thanks for your continued high standard of Instrument making and for this generous gift!"
Thank you Clare, it's our pleasure to support such programs. We look forward to hearing who the fortunate recipient is.
JLS