Inspiring Passion & Self-Respect

This story is the first of our ACG Fall Fund Drive Changing Lives Storyboard. Consider supporting ACG today!

For the past seven years, Austin Classical Guitar has offered daily guitar classes for incarcerated young people at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. Many of our students have at one time or another found themselves in the courtroom of The Honorable Darlene Byrne. Having spent over 15 years working with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems, Judge Byrne offers a unique and insightful perspective on ACG’s work with these talented students who happen to have troubled pasts.


What was your initial thought about a classical guitar program at Gardner Betts?

That it’s unique, innovative, and a win-win for the students and the facility. It’s not a program I would have ever imagined thriving in a detention center, but it’s become a wonderful enrichment experience that allows these young men to define themselves other than as someone who has broken the law. Learning music can reveal the unique, and often hidden, talents these kids have. It’s more than music. It’s mentorship, and the relationship the instructor has with the students.

"Austin Classical Guitar uses a beautiful art form to crack through the hard exterior of some of our community’s toughest young people and inspire in them a sense of beauty, passion, and self-respect."

 

What kind of impact do you think the guitar program has on the students at Gardner Betts?

As a judge, I routinely see young people in my courtroom who suffer from the effects of abuse, neglect, poverty, mental illness, and addiction. These youth often develop a hard exterior and are not easily reached by individuals in the community who want to engage them in a positive activity. Austin Classical Guitar uses a beautiful art form to crack through the hard exterior of some of our community's toughest young people and inspire in them a sense of beauty, passion, and self-respect. For some students this may be the first opportunity they’ve had to express themselves and their emotions.

Most of the young people at Gardner Betts are one, two, or three years behind in their education, and this becomes something they are self-conscious about. Because of this, many learn not to like school, and feel embarrassed if they don’t know something. But the great thing about the guitar program is that all the students are starting from the same place. They’re learning the language of music together. Regrettably, I think many of these students have been taught to view messing up as a failure. ACG takes those messy moments, like when a student might be having trouble with a passage of music, and turns them into moments of enlightenment, discovery, and learning.

Do you have a favorite memory of the guitar students at Gardner Betts?

One of the most beautiful experiences I have had with the program was seeing one of the young men perform a solo in front of a live audience while at the same time displaying a paper and tape, life size, three dimensional rendering of a guitar he had built. It is a remarkable piece of art and an expression of what this program can inspire within some of these young folks. This young man took it upon himself to create this piece of art for his instructors while his classes were on pause for the summer. It was a testament to how much passion the program had inspired in his heart.

If you are inspired by Austin Classical Guitar's work with young people in the Juvenile Justice System, please consider making a donation to support our work today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rt0UvAOqa8


Eliot Fisk: The Maestro Returns

Eliot Fisk is one of the premiere classical guitarists on the planet. No stranger to Austin audiences, we're thrilled to welcome him back for our International Series on Saturday night. Tickets are still available! There's a preview of his program below, but first, we caught up with Eliot to talk about his views on classical music, the work of ACG, and why he thinks music can change the world.

Tell us about how you first met ACG's Executive Director, Matt Hinsley.
UT Guitar Professor Adam Holzman is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Years ago he invited me to Austin to give a master class, and that’s when I got to meet and hear this young guitarist named Matt Hinsley for the first time. He played the first song from Vogelweide: Song Cycle by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. It’s a piece for voice and guitar, and he sang and played the guitar accompaniment at the same time! Not only did he play it perfectly, but I couldn’t even criticize his German.

What has kept you interested in the work of Austin Classical Guitar over the years?
As someone whose life has been inextricably linked to the classical guitar for so long, I’m thrilled not only with the concerts ACG presents, but with the education programs you guys have created, and with your innovations in classical guitar pedagogy. Because of this, ACG is reaching students around the globe. The organization has created so many opportunities for guitarists to work and thrive, as well as thought up new and exciting ways for musicians to be involved with the community and public service.

What do you think makes music special?
The arts, and I think music in particular, create experiences for people to come together in the appreciation of beauty. We as musicians are uniquely poised to provide opportunities for human connection and empathy. The live music experience creates a temporary feeling of community among audience members, who are often complete strangers.

Playing music as a group means coming together, joining forces, and creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re singing in a choir or playing in a guitar ensemble, there is no “I” -  there is only “we,” and when differences are set aside in the pursuit of creating something special for people to enjoy, everyone wins. I think ACG is a wonderful example of this. Through its education programs in schools, concert series, guitar classes for incarcerated students, the Lullaby Project, and so much more, ACG reaches the community in unique, impactful, and innovative ways. To me, this is the future of classical music, and ACG is at the forefront of this movement.

More About Eliot

“I consider Eliot Fisk as one of the most brilliant, intelligent and gifted young musical artists of our times, not only amongst guitarists but in all the general field of instrumentalists. I put him at the top line of our artistic world.”
– Andrés Segovia

The final student of the great Andrés Segovia, Eliot Fisk has been dazzling audiences for decades. He is easily one of the most famous American guitarists of the last 50 years. Over that time, Fisk has performed all over the world, made 29 recordings, and was nominated for a Grammy award.

Check out Eliot’s performance with Paco Peña as part of an NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series!

Saturday Night's Program

With music from all over the world, including selections from some of classical guitar’s most cherished composers, Eliot’s concert this Saturday will be as thrilling and eclectic as they come. Known for his adventurous and daring performances, Eliot will tackle two of Bach’s beloved Cello Suites, as well as a set of Paganini’s devilishly difficult Caprices for solo violin. Fisk was the first to transcribe these legendary pieces for guitar. We're particularly excited to hear Eliot take on the infamous Caprice No. 24. Arguably one of the most challenging pieces written for violin - performing it on guitar is even more astounding!

Join us this Saturday for Eliot Fisk, Live at the AISD Performing Arts Center!

Austin Classical Guitar presents
Eliot Fisk, guitar
Saturday, November 4th , 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Six pieces from Latin America:
CuecaAgustín Barrios Mangore  (1885-1944)
QuirpaVicente Emilio Sojo (1887-1974)
Vals en Re (“Tatania”)Antonio Lauro (1917-1986)
Los CuajaritosIgnacio “Indio” Figurero (1899-1995)
El NiñoAntonio Lauro (1917-1986)
El Coquí*José Ignacio Quintón (1881-1925)

Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007*Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude(1685 – 1750)
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuet I
Minuet II
Gigue

Six Capricci from Op. 1*Niccolò Paganini
No. 20 in D major: Allegretto (dolce); Minore; Allegretto (dolce)(1782 – 1840)
No. 2 in B minor: Moderato
No. 11 in C major: Andante; Presto; Primo Tempo
No. 22 in F major: Marcato; Minore; Da Capo
No. 13 in Bb major: Allegro; Minore; Da Capo
No. 24 in A minor: Quasi Presto (Tema con Variaizioni)

INTERMISSION

Cello Suite No. 3 BWV 1009*J. S. Bach
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrée I
Bourrée II
Gigue

Six pieces from Spain and Latin America:
Danza Española No. 5 (“Andaluza”)*Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
Homenaje (“Pour le tombeau de Debussy”)Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Estrellita*Manuel Ponce (1882-1948)
Torre Bermeja*Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Habanera*Ernesto Halffter (1905-1989)
Sevilla*Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)

* Transcribed for guitar by Eliot Fisk

Program subject to change

 


Jorge Caballero: A symphony on six strings

From his transcriptions of mammoth piano works to capturing the essence of Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral suite, Capriccio Espagnole, on solo guitar, it seems like Jorge Caballero is drawn to musical challenges many guitarists wouldn’t dare attempt. But what makes him such a remarkable guitarist is his ability to make everything he plays, no matter how difficult, look and sound effortless.

One of our most favorite artists, we could think of no one better to open our 17-18 International Concert Series! In honor of the occasion, he’s prepared a program for us that’s sure to dazzle.

Here’s a preview:

The first half of the concert features Jorge’s transcriptions of keyboard music by J.S. Bach and the great Spanish composer, Isaac Albéniz. Especially exciting will be Jorge’s performance of his landmark arrangement of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, a work originally written for organ.

Then, after the break, Jorge will tackle Kazuhito Yamashita’s fiendishly difficult arrangement of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“The New World Symphony”). Two hands, six strings, and 19 frets. I’m not sure how this beloved orchestral work can all fit on one guitar, but I bet Jorge will make it look easy - and sound stunning.

Join us for ACG’s Season Opening Concert!

Jorge Caballero, guitar
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 8pm
AISD Performing Arts Center

Prelude and Fugue, BWV 849                                                                                     Johann Sebastian Bach
(from “The Well Tempered Clavier,” Book I)                                                                                (1685 - 1750)
Arr. J. Caballero
Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV 903

Cantos de España, op. 232 Isaac Albéniz
I. Preludio (1860 - 1909)
II. Oriental
III. Bajo la palmera
IV. Córdoba
V. Seguidillas

Intermission

Symphony No. 9, op. 95 (“From the New World”) Antonín Dvořák
I. Adagio - Allegro molto (1841 - 1904)
II. Largo arr. K Yamashita
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace - Poco sostenuto
IV. Allegro con Fuoco


Donor Spotlight: Ed and Mary Collins

Every Sunday for almost ten years, Ed Collins has made the two-hour round trip drive to his ACG Community Guitar Ensemble rehearsal. This passion for learning guitar led Ed and his wife Mary to become involved with ACG’s education and social service programs. We asked them to talk with us about their relationship with the organization, and the reasons behind their decision to include ACG in their planned giving.


How did you first pick up the guitar, and find out about ACG?

Ed: Years ago, when my son was very young, we went to see the great Spanish guitarist, Andrés Segovia, perform in Houston. From the first note, I fell in love with the instrument, and knew I wanted to learn classical guitar. At the time, I was too busy to do anything about it, but I always kept that love with me, and decided that when I had the time, I would learn classical guitar.

In 2008, I finally decided to buy a guitar and start learning, but couldn’t find a teacher. I eventually found Austin Classical Guitar on the internet, and signed up for the Community Guitar Ensemble. Playing in the group fulfills my passion for improving my guitar playing, but also for sharing music with others. I’ve been in the Community Guitar Ensemble for almost ten years, and it’s been amazing.

"ACG provides young people with experiences that make them feel engaged and important. This organization is about more than just pushing strings on a guitar. It’s about changing lives."

- Ed Collins

What has kept you involved in the ensemble for so long?

Ed: I discovered a long time ago that if I have a place to go, a time to be there, and a group to be involved with, I won’t let them down. So for ACG, I’ll get my practice in, and be ready to play. Eric Pearson, who directs ACG’s Community Ensembles, has taught me so much. He can take a concept or a technique that seems complicated and present it in a digestible format. On the drive home every week, I think about everything we learned in rehearsal, and I just can’t wait to get back. It’s a two-hour round trip, but I wouldn’t miss it. We’ve got a great group of players in the ensemble, and we’re all there for the same reason: the friendship and the love of playing together. When we get the music down and perform it, everyone sounds great.

Mary, what has it been like to watch Ed pursue his passion for classical guitar?

Mary: It’s been amazing to watch this process unfold. I could tell right away he loved being in the ensemble, and he can’t wait for rehearsal each week. I’m just so glad he found guitar. We always encourage each other to do what we love.

You’ve both decided to include ACG in your planned giving. Can you talk a little bit about how that came about?

Mary: What interested me was how ACG’s education programs serve at-risk and low-income children. I think everyone deserves to learn music, and a positive activity like performing in an ensemble can build self-esteem for a young person. Once we discovered the depth of service at ACG, we knew we wanted to be involved long-term. We decided we wanted to make a difference in the places where we were personally involved. ACG is one of those places.

Ed: I initially joined ACG because I wanted to learn classical guitar and rehearse and perform in the Community Ensemble. But when Mary and I found out about ACG’s education and service programs in schools and the juvenile detention center, we knew we wanted to do more. We’ve increased our support each year, and now, most importantly, we’ve included ACG in our planned giving. ACG provides young people with experiences that make them feel engaged and important. This organization is about more than just pushing strings on a guitar. It’s about changing lives.


Nepal

In 2006, Pushpa Basnet created a special home in Nepal for children of incarcerated parents who - due to overcrowding in Nepal’s orphanages – were left to either live with their parents in the prison or on the streets. In recognition of her work, she was chosen as CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2012, and in 2016 she was declared the CNN Super Hero: Above and Beyond!

Last year, she decided to bring music to the home, and into the lives of the dozens of children living there. She partnered with the Gharana Music Foundation in Kathmandu, and together they approached us here at ACG for support starting a guitar class.

We were thrilled to provide full access to our curriculum, training, guidance - anything we could do to help. Also, as we always do with new friends around the world, we created new arrangements of Nepali folk songs to add to our curriculum music library, so that the kids could learn to play songs they recognize.

We were delighted to learn of this beautiful video about the music education happening in this very special place.

 


The Artists of i/we

i/we brings together an international cast of world-class musicians and artists. Some are making their Austin-debut, while others are local talents, cherished the world over. We are so grateful for their commitment to this project, and for the unique artistry each one is contributing.

Grammy-winning Conspirare’s Craig Hella Johnson lends us his voice as both singer and narrator. He’s chosen the poetry that he'll recite throughout the concert, as well as the very first thing we’ll hear: a stirring folk song from Norway called I Sing of Your Mercies.

Two spectacular touring and recording artists, Sweden’s Håkan Rosengren (clarinet) and French cellist Louis-Marie Fardet of the Houston Symphony, will join us for the very first time. After her stunning performance in last year's summer series, New York-based violin virtuoso Jennifer Choi returns to share her prodigious talent. We also have two members of the acclaimed Texas Guitar Quartet—and former Austinites—Isaac Bustos and Alejandro Montiel.

Sometimes I fear that we lose sight of the human aspect of being a refugee. i/we gives a voice to people with diverse and often traumatic life experiences, and shines a light on what they have went through.” - Isaac Bustos

 

This project resonates strongly with Isaac, who was born in Nicaragua and came to the U.S. as a refugee at age 13. He told us, “i/we humanizes the refugee experience through music. I know what it’s like to have your entire life in limbo. As a child, being treated differently because of my refugee status was difficult. Sometimes I fear that we lose sight of the human aspect of being a refugee. i/we gives a voice to people with diverse and often traumatic life experiences, and shines a light on what they have went through.”

The music of i/we will begin at 8 p.m., but the lobby opens at 6:30 for an atrium exhibit that will include music boxes and paintings created by visual artist Yuliya Lanina. There will also be a selection of poems written by members of the Austin community, as well as a display of stories and quotes from the refugees interviewed for this project. Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

In expressing her enthusiasm for this project, Yuliya Lanina told us, “I came as a refugee from Russia in 1990, fleeing anti-Semitism and constant threats. The U.S. welcomed me and my family, and we were given the freedom to build our lives, without being punished for who we are. I believe in the power of projects like i/we…because music and art have a way to communicate with people that transcends language and borders."

Six months in the making, with many lifetimes of influences, we can’t wait to share i/we with you.

Purchase tickets here, or call us at 512-300-2247.
 
 


Donor Spotlight: John Henry McDonald

John Henry McDonald has led a remarkable life. After serving in Vietnam during the war, he spent time as a traveling musician, a ranch manager, and eventually founded Austin’s premiere asset management company. For over a decade, he has been a mentor to ACG’s Executive Director, Matt Hinsley, and currently serves as Vice-President of ACG's Board of Directors. We asked John Henry to tell us why he believes music education can make a difference in the lives of children.


One of ACG’s primary goals is to positively impact the lives of young people through the guitar. This aspect of our mission seems to resonate with you quite a bit. Can you tell us why?

The story of ACG and the work it does with kids is the story of my life.

When I was a kid, and my home was shattered, and my family life was confusing, guitar was there. After Vietnam, when I was shattered, and everything was confusing, guitar was there. Music is what got me through those tough years. When I finally got back on my feet after the war, I grabbed my guitar, found a harmonica player, and pretty soon we were opening for Waylon Jennings, Johnny Hammond Jr., and Sonny Terry. Through guitar, I learned how to perform, how to communicate with an audience, and most importantly, how to tell a story.

When I came to Austin, I was determined to keep my life together. I was told by a mentor to put the guitar away, and that was seminal. At the time it was what needed to happen for me to transition to the next phase of my life. And that’s when I founded Austin Asset Management.

When I got involved with ACG, I was in another transition. This time, I was selling Austin Asset Management, the company I had built and been running for decades. Once I learned about ACG’s education programs, I was drawn to the organization. I know that for some kids, guitar won’t mean anything. But for some it will be extremely important, and for others - like myself - it will be everything. I remember being 13 years old, lying in bed with a guitar on my chest, and I would play it until I fell asleep. Guitar was central to my life and has been my companion ever since. I give to this organization because music changed my life, and I’ve seen it change the lives of the kids we work with.

"With ACG, I can see my money doing good things, and that makes me want to keep on giving. I trust that when I pass on, the money I have left to this organization will continue to make an impact."

How did you decide to include the organization in your planned giving?

 An old friend once told me that the hardest part about making money isn’t earning it — the hardest part is giving it away. It’s not that I don’t want to give, I’m happy to. But it was hard for me to find an organization I trusted. With ACG, I know I’ve found an organization where I can see my money at work – see the funds actually getting to the beneficiaries, the people the organization says it’s helping. When I met Matt Hinsley, ACG’s Executive Director, I realized immediately that he had a vision for nonprofit arts organizations, and for changing lives through music. I trusted him because it was never about this organization. It was always about giving to the community, and helping young people. Giving to ACG is easy. With ACG, I can see my money doing good things, and that makes me want to keep giving. I trust that when I pass on, the money I have left to ACG will continue to make an impact.

Could you talk a little bit about your involvement with Austin Community College, and the connection it has to ACG?

I’m on the board of ACC as well, and I love the connection we have with them. Dr. Tom Echols is teaching guitar there, and we send kids to him from our high school programs at Travis High School, Akins High School, and others. I know they’re going to get a great education. I love blending my giving – kids in ACG’s high school programs earn college credit by studying guitar at ACC while they’re still in high school, and that keeps their education moving forward. It’s huge for kids who don’t come from a context that would be able to financially support a college education. For some, college may never have seemed like an option. Guitar can provide a pathway to a higher education, and ACG helps make that happen.

 


Donor Spotlight: April Long

April’s connection with Austin Classical Guitar began when she was hired as an administrative assistant in 2009. A few years later, she became the Director of Development and was an integral part of the fundraising initiatives that allowed ACG to expand its education programs. We caught up with April to see what she’s been up to since leaving ACG in 2015 to go back to school, and to ask her why she is still such an enthusiastic supporter of the organization.


Was there a particular moment or experience that connected you to ACG and its work?

My connection to ACG is the result of seeing the good it does in the community. This organization puts deep goodness out into the world, and I say that with no reservations. ACG uses guitar as a way to meet certain people who aren’t being met in other ways. For some people, classical guitar speaks to them when other things might not. I’ve heard so many stories from the education team about students using music as a way to express difficult emotions that they hadn’t found any other way to express.

ACG provides an opportunity for people to find beauty in their lives, or to define for themselves what they think is beautiful. Music can be a way to express or grapple with grief, trauma, and other difficult experiences. It’s not going to magically make everything better, but giving voice to that kind of emotion is very powerful. I love that beauty in music can be a complicated beauty. In the Lullaby Project, ACG works with young mothers who are facing extraordinary challenges to help them write a lullaby for their baby. In one sense there is a mother having a child, and there is all this joy around it, and yet these women might be incarcerated, or facing severe economic challenges. Music can express that joy and that complication at the same time.

“Beyond teaching guitar, ACG uses music to foster a community. ACG listens to people's stories, and provides a safe space where people can share their feelings. It creates a space for everyone to feel comfortable being themselves, and that is something we should seek to do in all walks of life.”

Could you tell us about your history with ACG, and what have you been up to lately?

I actually worked at ACG for about 6 years, even though I didn’t have a background in music. I started off working in operations, and ended up as the Director of Development. It was an incredible place to work and an incredible service to be a part of.

I’m now a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and I hope to eventually serve as a church pastor or a chaplain, maybe in a hospital or a prison. I haven’t decided on the specifics, but that’s the general direction.

In some ways this new direction is a big shift from my work at ACG, but at the same time it’s not a shift at all. What I saw ACG doing, and the way the organization went about doing it, I remember thinking that I want to take those principles with me for the rest of my life. I first thought about becoming a pastor when I was in middle school, and then I put it away for a while. In a way, working at ACG reignited that passion for me. It’s not a religious organization, but there is a spirit in the work that is also present in my new path. ACG uses music to bring people together, and create meaningful connections, and that is what the best churches and the best organizations of any kind do, and so the transition has felt very natural for me.

Why did you decide to name ACG as a beneficiary in your will?

Beyond teaching guitar, ACG uses music to foster a community. ACG listens to people's stories, and provides a safe space where people can share their feelings. It creates a space for everyone to feel comfortable being themselves, and that is something we should seek to do in all walks of life. Naming ACG as a beneficiary was all about how much I love what happens here. I still contribute to ACG every year, but as a student, it’s not as much as I would like. I believe in what this organization does and is, so this is a way I can still say “yes” to ACG.


Donor Spotlight: Carl Caricari

In this interview, we hear from one of ACG’s most ardent supporters, Carl Caricari. A long-time member of ACG's Board of Directors and current President-elect, Carl was the Education Committee's first chairperson, and from the beginning has played an integral role in making ACG Education what it is today. Find out what has kept him involved since 2008!

 


What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about Austin Classical Guitar?

My favorite thing about ACG is how we impact the lives of students. I am always surprised when I meet people who have come to many of our concerts and love the music, but don’t know about our education services. Our education program has been around since 2001 when it started in one school with 15 kids, and now we're in 60 schools serving 4,000 students, each week! For me, it’s all about the kids. It's about the lives we’ve impacted positively through guitar. And now, we’re partnering with schools throughout Texas and around the country to help build new programs. That’s what I want more people to know about.

"I love going to the concerts we present with the world's greatest guitarists, but hearing students perform is incredible. I love seeing young people on stage for the first time, feeling good about themselves and what they are doing. This is what keeps me coming back."

How did you get involved with ACG? And what has kept you so involved over the years?

Almost 10 years ago, John Henry McDonald, the Vice President of ACG’s board, and his wife Louise invited me to hear a concert by the Brazilian Guitar Quartet. I was blown away. About a week later, John Henry called me and asked if I would consider being on the board. I said no. I didn’t know anything about music! But I agreed to meet with Matt Hinsley for coffee. I still remember the moment Matt told me about ACG's education programs and the work they were doing with kids. That’s when I knew I wanted to get involved, and I became a board member.

I was excited to lead the Education Committee because I had a hunch that our education programs were attracting diverse students and that guitar was a positive outlet for them. That’s when we met with Dr. Calvin Streeter from U.T. Austin's School of Social Work and commissioned his team to do a social impact study. What the study found was astounding: 90% of the students in our school guitar programs hadn’t taken an arts class before. The study also revealed the positive impact our classes were having on students' self-esteem, and their ability to collaborate and work as a team. These days, I love going to the concerts we present with the world's greatest guitarists, but hearing students perform is incredible. Seeing young people onstage feeling good about themselves and what they are doing, this is what keeps me coming back.

Why did you choose to include ACG in your planned giving, and what led you to decide you wanted to support the endowment through your bequest?

ACG is an organization that puts effort into its community, and I think it’s important for someone in my position to provide support so the organization can focus on service. I’ve been able to make a comfortable life for myself, and now I feel it’s my turn to give back.

I believe in the power of musical experiences to change the lives of young people for the better. Our programs engage all kinds of kids. Some students might have gotten into trouble, but with guitar we’re able to provide an inspiring experience that can help keep them from making bad decisions. I’ve seen it happen. Students start learning to play guitar, and by practicing hard and performing, they gain confidence and self-esteem, and this sticks with them the rest of their lives. ACG Education has been doing this for 15 years, and building a healthy endowment will ensure that our work in education will continue long after I’m gone.