Guitar Festival

“The Romeros: Guardians of the Holy Grail of the Classical Guitar. What the 'Three Tenors' are to the world of opera, The Romeros are to the classical guitar." - Leipzig Volkszeitung

8 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UTB/TSC SET-B Lecture Hall

…The legendary Celedonio Romero, with his sons Celin, Pepe and Angel, founded the internationally renowned ensemble known to millions as "The Royal Family of the Guitar." With the introduction of Celin's son, Celino, into the quartet in 1990, and Angel's son Lito joining his father in duo recital, The Romeros encompasses three generations of concert artists.

Celedonio Romero was a renowned soloist in Franco's Spain. All of his sons had made their debuts in Spain by the time they were seven years old. In 1957, the family immigrated to the United States where "The Romeros" walked onto the world stage as its first guitar quartet while the boys were still in their teens.

The Romeros have made repeated appearances with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the United States including those of Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit and many others. The family has twice been invited to the White House; in 1983 they appeared at the Vatican in a special concert for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and in 1986 they performed for His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. Regular festival appearances include the Guitar Foundation of America, Hollywood Bowl, Wolf Trap, and Garden State.Fans have seen and heard the Romeros many times on television on shows like the Tonight and Today shows as well as on PBS specials.

For 50 years three generations of Romeros have inspired composers to enrich the repertoire of guitar quartet with orchestra, which includes works by such distinguished composers as Joaquín Rodrigo, Federico Moreno Torroba, and Morton Gould. http://www.romeroguitarquartet.com/frameset.html

8 pm FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UTB/TSC SET-B Lecture Hall

...First prize winner at the Stotsenbeg International Classcial Guitar Festival Competition, del Monte is one of one of the most uniquely gifted guitarists in the world today by being a dynamic force in both flamenco and classical guitar. He has recorded for Duetsche Gramophone and he is a soloist on the soundtrack for the movie “Munich”, directed by Stephen Spielberg. He has performed for the last 20 years in Spain, England, France, Switzerland, Israel, Brazil, and the US.Del Monte has been collaborating with his spouse, renowned flamenco dancer, Laila del Monte. Some of the venues where he performed include: the Hollywood Bowl, Guitar Foundation of America, the prestigious court of Conde Duque in Madrid, and numerous concerts in guitar festivals around the world. Adam has also collaborated with orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Madrid Symphony Orchestra, Budapest Radio Symphony, California Philharmonic, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. http://www.adamdelmonte.com/

8 pm THURSDAY, MARCH 26

UTB/TSC SET-B Lecture Hall

...Goran Krivokapić was born in 1979 in Belgrade (former Yugoslavia). He started his music education at the age of eight with Mićo Poznanović in Montenegro. He has won first prizes in eighteen international guitar competitions. They include the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world: the International Andrés Segovia Guitar Competition (Spain - 2000), the Fernando Sor International Guitar Competition in Rome (Italy - 2003), and the Guitar Foundation of America International Solo Competition (Canada - 2004). He has given solo recitals and master-classes at guitar festivals, music festivals and concert seasons in Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, USA, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and Chile. Goran has received several awards, including "The Golden Guitar" award that was presented to him during the 10th International Guitar Convention in Alessandria (Italy) 2005. http://www.gorankrivokapic.net/website.php

8 pm WEDNESDAY

MARCH 25

UTB/TSC SET-B Lecture Hall

UTB/TSC Guitar Studies has been nationally recognized as a superior program for training performers and it is the leading university in guitar teacher training for classical players. This was one of the first university guitar programs in the United States to develop and maintain extensive ensemble opportunities for its guitarists (including this festival), and this environment has become central to the rapid technical and musical growth of its students. The UTB/TSC ensembles are celebrating nine years of concert performances under the direction of Dr. Michael Quantz. There are currently two classical ensembles, a jazz ensemble under the direction of Clay Moore, a preparatory group directed by Jose Luis Escobedo, and the guitar orchestra with 16 members. The UTB/TSC guitar orchestra has given many performances throughout Texas and its members are top prize winners in several state-wide and regional solo competitions. The ensemble experience allows for a tremendous range of stylistic selections for performance that is not always possible for soloists. This convening of performers also lends itself to mutually supportive and engaging music making.

TICKET INFORMATION:

- Tickets can be purchased at the registration desk in the UTB/TSC Student Union (see "Schedule" below) or at the door before the concerts.

- Doors open before the concerts at 7:00 pm.

- Prices: UTB/TSC Guitar Orchestra, Wednesday, March 25 = $10

Goran Krivokapic, Thursday, March 26 = $15

Adam del Monte, Friday, March 27 = $15

*The Romeros, Saturday, March 28 = $20, 25, 30

*(special discount available for current Patron of the Arts season members)

- SAVE 20% WITH THE FESTIVAL PASS THAT INCLUDES ALL FOUR CONCERT NIGHTS FOR $50! (Includes a $20 ticket for The Romeros)

WE EXPECT A SELL-OUT CROWD FOR THE ROMERS, SO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS EARLY!

- Tickets can be reserved by calling (956) 882-7025.

Ensembles compete in Elementary, Middle School, High School, University, and Professional levels in Duo, Trio, Quartet, and Large Ensemble (more than five players) categories. Performances given by participating guitar ensembles will be judged by a panel of accomplished instrumental artists on the basis of ensemble execution and the expressive impact of the group’s performance. Special recognition may be given to ensembles based on consensus of the judges. Ensembles within each level and category (there is no cross-level competition) vie for rating awards of First, Second or Third Place in each category (sorry, no prize money). The registration fee is $50 for each member of the performing ensemble and the director. The registration allows students to perform in more than one ensemble and includes tickets for all feature concerts.

*Limit of five ensembles from any one school.

To be eligible for this event each ensemble should:

· select a repertoire (any style) of appropriate length depending on the category (See “Competition Registration Form” for more details)

· play on acoustic nylon-stringed instruments (additional types of acoustic guitars or acoustic bass guitars may be incorporated

· Pay the registration fee for all members and the director

· Directors may perform with their ensembles, but there will be a deduction in scoring for this scenario.

· Only one player may be substituted/exchanged per group during a single judged performance—that’s substituting a different player for one of the pieces in a performance time slot.

*Low-profile music stands are available on-site for ensemble use during the competition.

*Limit of two performers—solo and/or group—from each participating school.

Open to Festival registrants only, master classes for guitarists will be held which give both soloists and groups an opportunity to receive coaching from experienced performers. The most advanced students from each ensemble are encouraged to apply for a class. There is an additional fee of $50 for each 30-minute instructional slot.

· The fee covers either an entire group or a single soloist performance.

· Registration for each class will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.

· Master classes from selected feature artists will be open to solo performers with at least two years of classical training (a letter of recommendation from a current classical guitar instructor is required ) and ensembles with at least two years of experience.

· These performing slots are also awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, and registered applicants may be assigned to master classes other than their preferred choice depending upon availability.

· Master class assignments are not available until the first day of the festival, and they will be posted at the registration table.

· Performers must provide the master teacher with published copies, not photocopies, of the music they perform. (Please see “Festival Schedule” and “Master Class Registration Form”)

Guitar makers and sellers of fine classical guitars will display their instruments during the Festival.

Guitar Vender Application (pdf)

Festival Map (pdf)

The University of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College is located in the friendly city of Brownsville, at the very southern tip of Texas. We are only a 35 minutes drive to the BEACH on South Padre Island. Café and fast food at reasonable prices are mere yards away from the venue. Tourist shopping in Matamoros, Mexico, is a fifteen minute walk. Continental Airlines flies to Brownsville, Southwest Airlines flies to Harlingen, 45 minutes north of the university.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION during the Festival IS NOT PROVIDED! Please plan accordingly and contact rental services early.

Hotels: Ground Transportation:

Courtyard by Marriott Enterprise Rent-a-Car

3955 North Expressway 77/83 4177 Expressway 83

Brownsville, TX 78520 Brownsville, TX 78520

(956) 350-4600 (956) 548-2224

* Ask for the Guitar Fest Rate!

Red Roof Inn

2377 North Expressway

(956) 504-2300

Festival Schedule (pdf)