8 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 27 UTB/TSC Arts Center
The Spanish Susanan Prieto and the Greek Alexis Muzurakis made their debut as the Guitar Duo Melis in 1999 at the International Guitar Festival of Volos (Greece). Since then they have performed in such prestigious halls as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Megaron in Athens and the Merkin Concert Hall in New York. They have been invited to play concerts and give master classes in international guitar festivals in Europe and America. Since 2006 they teach at the Conservatoire de Strasbourg in France. Susana and Alexis have won numerous prizes, both individually and together. In 1999 they won the first prize at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Frechen (Germany). The next year they won the prestigious Guitar Duo Competition of Montelimar (France) as well as the XXI International Guitar Duo Competition “Mauro Giuliani” (Italy). In 2003 they recorded their first CD after winning the recording prize at the International Chamber Music Competition “Gaetano Zinetti” (Italy). The Guitar Duo Melis has collaborated with international orchestras like the Berliner Symphoniker, the Radio Orchestra of Bucharest and the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki conducted by Leo Brouwer. They also were featured artists in San Francisco during the 2008 Guitar Foundation of America annual convention. They are known for their passionate musical expression and astonishing technical unity while performing. Their wide repertory spans from baroque music to the music of A. Piazzolla and A. Ginastera.
8 pm FRIDAY, MARCH 26 UTB/TSC Arts Center
The ground-breaking guitar ensemble Tantalus Quartet has delighted audiences with their “perfect ensemble” (Reinischer Post), “infectious rhythmic drive” (Ammusic.com), and their warm often humorous stage presence. Tanatlus Quartet’s repertoire has expanded the boundaries of the classical guitar with brilliant arrangements of masterworks by Brahms and Mozart, folk inspired favorites from Scotland to Nova Scotia, and new music by award-winning composers. Their CD debut has received rave reviews from critics and audiences, and reflects the ensemble’s eclectic musical tastes ranging from the Renaissance to the avant garde. Tantalus maintains an active concert schedule, appearing in prestigious concert series and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. In 2007, the quartet made its European debut, including an acclaimed appearance at the highly respected Iserlohn Guitar Festival. This concert season brings the group to cities from Los Angeles to Washington DC. Tantalus recently premiered “A Feast for Tantalus” dedicated to the quartet by Grammy-nominated composer Apostolos Paraskevas. The Quartet consists of members Kristian Anderson, Matthew Cochran, Kevin Manderville, and Stephen Mattingly. The ensemble formed in Florida while all its members were studying with the legendary guitar teacher Bruce Holzman.
8 pm THURSDAY, MARCH 25
UTB/TSC Arts Center
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 19 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 Ensembles, Thursday, March 25 = $10
Tantalus Quartet, Friday, March 26 = $15
Duo Melis, Saturday, March 27 = $15, 20, 25
*(special discount available for current Patron of the Arts season members)
- SAVE OVER 10% WITH THE FESTIVAL PASS THAT INCLUDES ALL THREE CONCERT NIGHTS FOR $35! (Includes a $15 ticket for Duo Melis)
Tickets can be reserved by calling (956) 882-7025.
PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR ENTRY FORMS
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 FOUR 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 “Registration” 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.
PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR ENTRY FORMS
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 classes”)
Guitar makers and sellers of fine classical guitars are invited to display their instruments during the Festival.
Travel:
American Airlines is offering a 10% discount on applicable ticket purchases to attendees for this event!
Group Name: "Guitar Ensemble Fest Competitn"
Eligible Travel Dates: March 21-30, 2010
There are two ways to take advantage of this offer:
1) Go to www.AA.com and use this promotion code 4130AJ.
2) Call the American Airlines Service Desk at 1-800-433-1790 and use this authorization code: A4130AJ
Location:
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 between the hotels and venues! Please plan accordingly and contact rental services early.
* * *Ask for the Guitar Fest Rates!* * *
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
Red Roof Inn
2377 North Expressway
(956) 504-2300
* * * * * *
Competition Registration Form (Word doc.)
Master class registration Form (word doc.)
Contact:
Dr. Michael Quantz
Tel: (956) 882-7527