The seventh annual UTB/TSC Guitar Ensemble Festival returns for four days of concerts, performances and competition Wednesday, March 26 to Saturday, March 29. 

The festival begins with a performance by the UTB/TSC Guitar Orchestra at 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, in the Science and Engineering Technology Building Lecture Hall.   

“Music students from our community and participants traveling to Brownsville from across the nation will benefit from hearing these artists live and get direct instruction from them in clinics and classes,” said Dr. Michael Quantz, fine arts professor and festival director.  “This is a great opportunity that gives young students the opportunity to perform in a competitive yet encouraging environment.” 

Ensemble competitions for college students, professionals, high school and middle and elementary students will run from Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 29. 

Also included is a two-day performance by guitar professors Scott Tennant and William Kanengiser of the University of Southern California.  

Scott Tennant will perform at 8 p.m., Thursday, March 28, in SETB Lecture Hall.   Tennant has recorded with famous labels like Sony Classical and Deutsche Grammophon and has been described by American Record Guide as, “fulfilling every criterion: taste, touch, interpretation, insight, programming and enjoy ability.”   

William Kanengiser has won numerous first prizes for his guitar work such as the New York Concert Artists Guild in 1987 and in the Montreal Competition in 1981 and 1983 in Paris. Kanengiser will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, in SETB Lecture Hall.   

 The festival finale will be a performance by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in SETB Lecture Hall.  The performances will consist of jazz, popular and folkloric music as well as classical music.  The 2005 Grammy Award winner for Best Classical Crossover CD have been described by the Los Angeles Times as, “…one of the wonders of the chamber music scene.” 

Admission is $10 ($5 for students) for March 26 UTB/TSC Guitar Ensembles, $15 for the March 27 Tennant concert & the 28 Kanengiser concert, and $15-20-25 for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on March 29. Patron of the Arts members get in free ($15 seating).  Active-duty military personnel may attend any concert for free.

For more information or a complete schedule contact the fine arts department at 882-8247 or log on to http://blue.utb.edu/finearts/guitarfestival.htm.