History
Guitars Galore Festival - Composition Competition

Austin Classical Guitar Ensemble (ACGE) was formed in July 2000 by its present Director, Lona Burwell. ACGE is open, by audition, to all adult classical guitar players who desire the enjoyment and accomplishment of ensemble playing. ACGE performs frequently in Austin and has performed concerts in San Antonio and Lufkin. Lona Burwell has formed, taught, and directed ensembles (guitar and other instruments) over 20 years in Junior Colleges, high schools and other groups. In 2001 Tony Morris presented Ms. Burwell with the prestigious Classical Guitar Alive, “Guitarist of the Year” award for her years of volunteer teaching and ensemble work. If you would like to join this fun group, or want more information, email the Director at Lona@texas.net

(ACGE performs at the Driskill Hotel, director Lona Burwell stands with Governor Rick Perry, Spring 2004)	(ACGE performance in the Capitol Rotunda, April, 2002)

Guitar Orchestras are not new; they date back to the Renaissance and are becoming increasingly popular in our time. Since classical guitar is known primarily as a solo instrument, studying ensemble work with ACGE is a very special opportunity for all levels of player in the Austin community. Learning to blend, balance sound, and perfect tone with other players; to improve the reading of music, to expand musical horizons, and to play special performances remain the primary reasons that the Austin Classical Guitar Ensemble is flourishing.

Thanks to the sponsorship of Austin Classical Guitar Society, all levels of adult classical guitar players can volunteer to rehearse and perform with ACGE, making it a very special community project for the city of Austin and the state of Texas.

Many of the present ACGE members have studied guitar in college. Some of the players are currently studying with private instructors. Though some are more advanced than others, all have one thing in common: the love of performing on the classical guitar.

ACGE performs all types of music from the Baroque period to 20th Century - depending on the occasion. They have entertained crowds from nursing homes to the "Governor's Volunteer Awards 2004" (see picture above). Every appearance is performed with the same passion for the instrument and the music. Any Classical Guitar player interested in rehearsing and performing with this group is invited to contact Lona Burwell by email at, Lona@texas.net, or by phone (512) 462-4584.

---

Guitars Galore Ensemble Festival

Austin Classical Guitar Ensemble is pleased to announce the "Guitars Galore Ensemble Festival" to take place on April 23, 2005. Sponsored by Austin Classical Guitar Society, the ensemble festival will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the McCallum High School Fine Arts Academy, (5600 Sunshine Drive, in Austin).

Advanced high school through adult classical guitar groups of three or more are invited to attend and/or participate. This festival is designed for the entertainment of the participants - providing an opportunity for groups to hear one another - and to increase the understanding of guitar ensemble literature, performance and practice; there will be no performance competition. Each group will have the opportunity for a short performance and all participants can collaborate to play two pieces in the Finale. Finale selections will be mailed to all participants in January and will include the winning entry of the Texas-based composition competition (see announcement below).

There will be a lecture on ensemble playing given by Professor Terry Muska of San Antonio College. Terry is a veteran of classical guitar ensemble performance and instruction, both on a college and professional level.

Lunch (and social hour!) will be provided on campus and is included with registration ($15 per person). Please join us for a great opportunity to meet and hear your fellow ensemble guitarists from all over the state.

Registration materials are available, please contact Lona Burwell at Lona@texas.net or call (512) 462-4584. The deadline for registration is December 1st.

---

Composition Competition for Texas-based Composers

The Austin Classical Guitar Society is pleased to announce its first Composition Competition on behalf of the Austin Classical Guitar Ensemble (ACGE). ACGE is a group of serious community classical guitarists who rehearse weekly and perform regularly throughout Texas. The goal of this contest is to encourage Texas composers to write new music for guitar ensemble.

The competition is open to Texas-based composers only. There is no age limit. Composers may submit multiple works. Compositions must be written for four parts and have a duration of only 4 to 6 minutes. Entries must be playable by beginning to intermediate guitarists! Compositions submitted must be unpublished and should not have been performed in a public concert. Parts must be written for standard (6-string) classical guitar without any electronic components whatsoever, minor alternate tunings are acceptable.

Acceptable applications will contain the following:
1 copy of each part
1 copy of full score
       Scores and parts must be anonymous;
       they may not contain anything allowing identification of the composer.
1 cover letter including: Name, address, telephone and email address.
$10 Entry Fee (make checks payable to: ACGS)

Applications must be postmarked by December 1st, 2004, and be addressed to:
Austin Classical Guitar Society
PO Box 49704
Austin, TX 78765

Entries will be judged anonymously by the Austin Classical Guitar Society with consideration not only of compositional integrity but playability and practicality of performance. The winner will be announced by mail to all contestants by January 31st, 2005. The winning entry will be premiered at the finale of the Austin Classical Guitar Society’s Guitars Galore Festival on Saturday, April 23rd, 2005. The work will be performed by all participants of the festival (as many as 75) who will be in Austin from around the state of Texas.

The composer of the winning composition will receive $500 following the premiere of the work at the Guitars Galore Festival. The prize will not be divided. The decision of the Austin Classical Guitar Society will be final.

The Austin Classical Guitar Society makes no claims on any of the entered compositions beyond the right to premiere the winning composition. Scores will not be returned. Submission of an application to participate in the competition confirms that the contestants unconditionally accept all the rules as established in this announcement.

For more information please contact the Austin Classical Guitar Society at:
512.420.0542 or email M@MatthewHinsley.com