WYGF 2011 – festival information

WYGF11: 23-26 August 2011, Cheltenham, UK

Whether you are a seasoned performer with loads of experience, or instead, a relatively new guitarist just beginning to learn,WYGF has something to offer everyone.

The major emphasis behind the festival is ensemble playing. Every student is placed in one of our eight WYGF guitar orchestras and as these are graded to ability, nobody feels out of their depth.

There are plenty of other events going on at WYGF: just take a look at the daily timetable below.

Attending with a group

WYGF has proved very popular with guitar ensembles who meet on a regular basis. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come along together to take part and spend time with your friends – think of it like a group-bonding session! WYGF also runs a series of showcase platforms giving groups the chance to take centre stage and show us what they can do. Performances in these concerts were highly sort-after at WYGF07 & 09, so if your ensemble is planning to attend WYGF11 then book soon before all the slots are filled.

Attending on your own

You don’t need to be part of a group to get the best out of WYGF, because we have many students who attend as individuals. WYGF gives these students the experience of playing in an ensemble helping them to improve all areas of their musicianship, which many other instrumentalists develop naturally in orchestras, chamber music ensembles or jazz bands. WYGF is a great place to meet like-minded young musicians and enjoy music-making together.

WYGF daily timetable includes:

WYGF guitar orchestra rehearsals

Professional concerts from world-renowned guitarists

Workshops & masterclasses

Ensemble Showcase Concert Series

“Finger-Aerobics”, technique & exam tips

Individual lessons & coaching

Special events at WYGF:

WYGF talent show – start practising your ‘party-piece’!

Guitar Oscars Night – posh frocks all round for the guitar awards ceremony of the year

YouTube competition – a huge success at its launch in 2009

Tutors’ Panto – an evening of mayhem!