Junior Guildhall Guitar Ensemble

by Helen

WYGF Artistic Director Mark Eden reports on how preparations for WYGF’s guitar ensemble showcase concerts are going:

Just under a month ago I organised a rehearsal and concert in Winchester for my Junior Guildhall Guitar Ensemble, and private guitar students to get together for a day and play through the piece which we will be showcasing at WYGF.

GSMD Junior School’s Music Course offers the highest level of specialist teaching on Saturdays, and has famous Alumni such as performer and songwriter Dido, I’m a Celeb star Myleene Klass, composer Thomas Adès and trumpeter and Classical Brit award winner Alison Balsom. For more information on GSMD Junior School click on webpage image below.

Rehearsal for the WYGF showcase concert went smoothly which was really amazing as the Junior Guildhall students and my home students had not met previously, so I was impressed by their professionalism and preparations on their individual ensemble parts.

All the students also performed solo pieces and the concert offered parents, family and friends a chance to hear everyone as individuals. I was really overwhelmed by the high standard, as the programme included Sunburst by Andrew York, Study No.9 Op.6, in D Minor by Fernando Sor, Cycles in the Avenue by Vincent Lindsey-Clark (on the WYGF09 Channel YouTube Competition), La Flamenquita by David Cottam, Etude No.5 Op.60, in G by Matteo Carcassi, Danza del Altiplano by Leo Brouwer, Prelude No.1 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, and the Gran Tremolo by Agustin Barrios Mangore.

The ensemble were also joined by some of my even-younger students who performed solos and ensemble pieces by WYGF guest tutor and ensemble leader Peter Nuttall.

Other fabulous guitar ensembles will also be showcasing themselves at WYGF – here’s a rundown of who, where and when. Please remember that friends and families are welcome to attend the WYGF showcase concerts:

WYGF Showcase Concert Series, Wednesday 12 August 2009, 14:00 pm – Bacon Theatre (free admission)

Dorchester Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Chris Stell

Holme Valley Music Centre Guitar Quartet (Kirklees Music School) – Musical Director: Ginette Eady

Guitar Project – Musical Director: Gordon Dunn

Haringey Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Nick Walker

Chichester Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Linda Kelsall-Barnett

WYGF Showcase Concert Series, Thursday 13 August, 14:00 pm – Bacon Theatre (free admission)

Junior Guildhall Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Mark Eden

Bad Nauheim Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Konstantin Zobel

Corinium Players Guitar Ensemble – Musical Director: Sandra Dukes

Final WYGF Student Concert, Friday 14 August, 13.30 pm – Bacon Theatre – NOT TO BE MISSED! (free admission)

All WYGF Guitar Ensembles