All Changing Lives Stories in One Place
April Long
April Long, Director of Operations, joined our team almost exactly one year before our giant "Austin Goes Classical" weeklong hosting of the Guitar Foundation of America at the Long Center. She was instantly indispensable in that enormous project, while helping us manage and expand our normal operations, and has since become a member of our core team not only responsible for so much of what allows us to function from one day to the next, but also serving as a key visionary and our operational nerve center.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started working at the Austin Classical Guitar Society three and a half years ago. I am not a musician, and my education was not in arts administration. Before interviewing at ACGS, a friend told me, “The people who work there are awesome. You’re going to love it!” Indeed, the people I work with here every day are amazing, the work they do in the community is inspiring, and I do, in fact, “love it!” What I did not know about, and what I continue to be amazed by, is the broader community of people that I am lucky enough to interact with on a daily basis.
This community includes the nearly 100 volunteers who spend countless hours making our events happen and helping at our office—folks like Lloyd Pond, who has come in one full day each week for more than six years to repair guitars for our school programs and to help with any and all tasks that need doing. It includes board members who share with us their resources, a love of guitar, and belief in our community-transforming work. It includes students and their families, who tell me about how inspiring our classical guitar programs have been for their children. It includes patrons from across Austin who share pieces of their lives with me as they make a ticket purchase or a donation over the phone. It is a privilege to meet all of these people through my work at ACGS, and I feel honored when they share their stories with me.
What I have come to realize in my time at ACGS is that what we do is, of course, about classical guitar, but even more importantly, what we do is about building community through classical guitar. What happens through ACGS is something that people everywhere are seeking—connection. ACGS is a place where stories get shared, and heard, and this is, for me, one of the most important things we do.
Matt Hinsley's Story
Matthew Hinsley is Executive Director of ACGS. Earlier this fall after visiting our program at the Gardner Betts facility of the Travis County Juvenile Justice System, he was moved to write this story about what he experienced.
Eight high school boys in matching maroon T-shirts are focused intensely on Travis Marcum, our Director of Education. They are sitting with their left feet on footstools, holding classical guitars, playing a piece of music beautifully together. Their playing is not only synchronized, but it’s full of careful nuance with gorgeous and expressive moments that persist even in spite of the sporadic radio chatter from the guards just outside the open door in the hallway.
At the soft and slowing finish, Travis congratulates the group on their progress. This is the second performance of the piece this evening, and already they’ve refined tone, togetherness and several expressive moments. He asks if anyone has a comment and the boy to my right, Randy, raises his hand. “Sir, I didn’t think we were right together at the end of measure eight, sir.” One of the other boys nods at this observation, and Travis replies, “Excellent, let’s work on measure eight.”
It’s the kind of magic Travis Marcum, and our whole education team, help to create in thirty Austin schools each and every day. But only this school, Gardner Betts, is a full lock-down residential facility of the Travis County Juvenile Justice System.
Earlier that evening I met Travis at his car in the parking lot. “Leave your cell phone in your glove compartment so it doesn’t get scratched in the bucket” he told me. When we entered, keys and cell phones (had we kept them) had to be deposited in a bucket at the front desk before we could enter the secure part of the facility.
As Travis and I set up the chairs for class he told me the kids were excited I would be there: “They’ve been playing a few of your pieces, and so they were pretty pumped when I told them you’d be here tonight.” Four guards escorted the boys in, each of them with a guitar in one hand, and a music stand in the other with their music and footstool balanced on top.
The work began immediately after set up and tuning. “Play four Gs, then four Bs, then four Es with great tone – on my count…” Travis kept them constantly engaged in positive, pro-active self-evaluation and constructive criticism. His dedication to excellence is infectious, and each boy has caught the bug.
“Stop for sec. Rodrigo, how do you feel about our sound just now?” “I thought… on the E string, our sound was kind of thin, sir.” “What can we do to make that better, Rodrigo?” “We need to come across the string at more of an angle, sir.” “Can you show the class both ways?” Yes, Rodrigo could demonstrate both ways. And the class joined him as they refined their sound.
About a month ago I received a letter from a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Gardner Betts. He described the effects of our guitar class on one of the boys like this:
“A 17 year old male entered our program with a plethora of obstacles for success in his life. He was raised primarily in a single parent home with one of his parents being in and out of jail and/or drug rehabilitation programs. This child had made poor decisions with his own life by developing his own drug habit, committing crimes, and becoming delinquent in school. Although he is very bright and has multiple gifts and talents, these decisions limited his success in school and in society. Upon entering the program, his motivation for positive change was extremely low.
When offered an opportunity to join the guitar class, he enrolled. His motivation began to snowball and spread to other areas of programming. He went from putting forth minimal effort in school and his drug rehabilitation to becoming a leader by example for his peers. This youth is currently back on track to graduate high school on time and return to his home with a renewed commitment to his family and to himself for a more productive future.”
They have a performance coming up in the courthouse at a swearing-in ceremony for volunteer court-appointed advocates. Our guitar classes play for every such ceremony now. With the show not far away, Travis explained some of the particulars including the walk outside across the parking lot to the courthouse. “I wish we could be outside now,” one boy said aloud to himself.
“Sir, can I ask Dr. Hinsley a question?” This was repeated by James several times throughout the class. “James, we’ll be able to ask Dr. Hinsley questions at the end of class,” Travis replied. The end of class was approaching, and James sensed his opportunity: “Sir, can I ask Dr. Hinsley a question?” “Yes, James, now is a great time to ask Dr. Hinsley a question.” James looked me in the eyes and said “Dr. Hinsley, would you play something for us?” And of course I did.
At the end of class they lined up to shake my hand. Several said they couldn’t wait for me to come back. Last month we had some guest artists in town perform for them, and one boy wanted to know if I knew them. “They were so fast and so together, they were amazing, sir.”
Travis’ work at Gardner Betts, and our work in education broadly, is what we are most proud of at the Austin Classical Guitar Society. We are proud because we have the privilege to work with such diverse young people, and have an opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives. I’m sure they don’t realize, though, the profoundly positive difference they make in our lives, too.
Warm Wishes from Pepe Romero
One of the greatest classical guitarists of all time, Maestro Pepe Romero has given many memorable performances in Austin over the years – perhaps none so spectacular as his sold-out, radio simulcast performance at opening night of the Guitar Foundation of America festival we hosted at the Long Center in June of 2010. We were deeply touched to receive these sentiments from him for our Changing Lives Storyboard last week.
When I think of the Austin Classical Guitar Society and the extraordinary work that Matthew Hinsley is doing for the Spanish guitar, it fills my heart with happiness.
I see Austin as a wonderful center where young people have the opportunity to learn, love and experience the wonders and mysteries of my beloved Guitar.
I myself have had fantastic experiences in Austin with the guitar and truly consider Austin to be one of the most inspired places on the planet. Matthew and his team harness this natural energy and weave it with the guitar and her music, making it thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting to the beginner player as well as the seasoned professional.
I look forward to my return!
un abrazo,
Pepe Romero
Music & Juvenile Justice
Mr. Dean Campbell is a Senior Chemical Dependency Counselor working with youth at Gardner Betts of the Travis County Juvenile Justice System where we have a guitar class. Our Director of Education, Travis Marcum, runs our program there – and it is some of the work about which we are most proud. Mr. Campbell recently sent us this remarkable letter.
It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to report the positive impact that Mr. Marcum and others have had with the young people who are participating in his guitar class at the Gardner-Betts facility for the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department. There have been many cases where the guitar class has served the young people well while in our program. The guitar class bolsters self-esteem as many of these teens have never experienced the accomplishment and pride that they feel after learning to play an instrument and then successfully performing before an audience. The guitar class also injects the young people with motivation to excel at something that is positive and constructive to replace destructive behaviors and lifestyles. Additionally, the guitar class provides an opportunity for the young people to earn academic credits needed for high school. Many of the young people that are in the residential program are significantly behind in their school, and this is one way that they can make up for credits lost in the past.
Many specific examples could be given of the positive impact that this service brings to our youth, but let this following example serve as an individual example of many.
A 17-year-old male entered our program with a plethora of obstacles for success in his life. He was raised primarily in a single parent home with one of his parents being in and out of jail and/or drug rehabilitation programs. This child had made poor decisions with his own life by developing his own drug habit, committing crimes, and becoming delinquent in school. Although he is very bright and has multiple gifts and talents, these decisions limited his success in school and in society. Upon entering the program, his motivation for positive change was extremely low. When offered an opportunity to join the guitar class, he enrolled. His motivation began to snowball and spread to other areas of programming. He went from putting forth minimal effort in school and his drug rehabilitation to becoming a leader by example for his peers. This youth is currently back on track to graduate high school on time and return to his home with a renewed commitment to his family and to himself for a more productive future.
As mentioned above there are many more stories that could be shared with similar circumstances and outcomes. We at Gardner-Betts very much appreciate the Austin Classical Guitar Society and Travis Marcum for their commitment to the young people of Travis County.
Jeremy Daus
Jeremy Daus, a junior at Akins High School, is an outstanding member of the advanced ensemble there. He told us a bit about his history with guitar, and where he'd like to go with it.
Kitty Villa
We first met Kitty Villa through her wonderfully talented son Marco. In time she became one of our greatest volunteers, and then a dedicated member of our board of directors – serving for several years as board secretary. Thank you Kitty!
My exposure to classical guitar and ACGS began with my son’s enrollment in the classical guitar program at his high school. Inspired by the performers and teachers of guitar that ACGS brings to Austin, he became more and more interested and committed to the study of guitar. He led the rest of the family to become ardent fans and supporters of ACGS. One of the many benefits of having ACGS in our community is the opportunity it creates for families to develop appreciation for a musical genre that transcends generational boundaries and to attend concerts by the finest classical guitarists from around the world.
I firmly believe in the power of ACGS’ outreach to adolescent students in Austin. I have seen my son rise to the challenge inherent in mastering a difficult instrument and become more mature and self-disciplined in the process. I am sure that many Austin parents and students could tell similar stories of success and transformation through the study of classical guitar in middle school and high school. ACGS is a tremendous asset to our city and our school system!
Klondike Steadman
We just received this wonderful story from Dr. Klondike Steadman. A prominent Austin guitarist and educator, Dr. Steadman generously donated his time to run the Austin Classical Guitar Society just over ten years ago, and is a big part of our success – particularly in education. Thank you Klondike!
Every season I am inspired and moved beyond words by the new heights the ACGS Educational Outreach Program reaches. I can remember the first few students selected for private lessons at McCallum back in 2001, through taking my own daughter at age 5 (a guitarist herself) to see 100 guitarists perform a new commissioned work, to now reading about the work ACGS does with veterans and children in the Juvenile system. It is truly unbelievable what is being achieved by the dedicated staff and volunteers at ACGS to change lives through music.
In 2001, when a few dedicated UT guitar students including Steve Kostelnik, Kim Perlak, Matt Hinsley and myself decided to embark on this journey of bringing classical guitar to underprivileged youth we had great hopes for the program, but I don't think any of us could have foreseen the immense potential for change now being brought about through the dedication of so many volunteers and contributors. And while we tend to focus on the change that takes place in the students of these programs, I have felt for a long time that I personally owe a debt of gratitude to the students of this program. I believe that teaching in and directing the Educational Outreach Program in it's first year probably taught me more important lessons about life, education, organization and community building, than any other experience and allowed me to successfully transfer those ideals into the community at Orpheus Academy of Music.
Thank you to all the teachers, students and volunteers at ACGS who make the magic happen every day!
William Kanengiser
When Matt Hinsley arrived in Austin in 1996 and began volunteering as President of ACGS, William Kanengiser was one of the first artists he called to perform on our International Concert Series. He's been back many times both as soloist and as a member of the Grammy-winning LA Guitar Quartet. Kanengiser has seen our organization grow for over 15 years and we were delighted to receive these wonderful words from him for our Changing Lives Storyboard.
The Austin Classical Guitar Society is a model for how all guitar societies should serve their communities and our beloved instrument. ACGS is not only a world-class presenting organization, it's also developed one of the most successful guitar education programs in the country. I've had the pleasure of visiting my friends at ACGS as a solo performer, with LAGQ, and during the amazing GFA Convention they hosted in 2010. I've always come away impressed by the professionalism of the organization, the enthusiasm of their audience, and the depth of their commitment to the future of the guitar.
Keep up the great work, ACGS!
Andrew Clark
Andrew Clark directs the award-winning McCallum High School Classical Guitar Program. The program has thrived under his leadership, and our community has benefitted greatly, ever since his arrival in Austin from Canada several years ago.
In addition to the much deserved praise The Austin Classical Guitar Society has received from the countless public school students it has so positively impacted, I would like to express my gratitude for what the organization has done for me. Through its collaboration with Austin ISD schools, ACGS has made it possible for young classical guitarists and educators such as myself to choose a career in classical guitar education in ever expanding pre-college settings. Teaching at McCallum High School, seeing my students develop their technique and musicianship through the excellent online curriculum, and involving the program in community focused events - many of which are organized by ACGS - has been extremely enriching from both a professional and personal perspective.
Thank you to the team at ACGS for all of your excellent, groundbreaking work!
(McCallum Advanced Ensemble Performing at One World Theatre, February 2011)
Thanksgiving Wishes from Eliot Fisk
We have such incredible memories from Eliot Fisk’s historic visits to Austin. There’s the boy from McCallum who won a Texas Young Masters Award (and went on to Oberlin and then Florida State) who said in an interview that it was Eliot’s visit to McCallum that first inspired him to practice seriously, we recall the premiere of our newly commissioned quintet by Leonardo Balada in July 2006 with Eliot and the Miró Quartet, and Eliot’s incredible gala performance for us two years ago. Eliot just shared this Thanksgiving message for our Changing Lives Storyboard:
The ACGS is a beacon of hope! Not just because of the transformation it has wrought locally in Austin but also because its example shows that YES WE CAN! transform our beloved country through the art of music and its marvelous ambassador, the classical guitar. The success of the ACGS under the superb leadership of Matt Hinsley is a source of inspiration to all of us. I have always enjoyed my time in Austin and it has been an honor to occasionally participate in the great crusade that the Society has initiated. It is a crusade that enjoys a naturally fertile environment provided by the magnificent University of Texas, its terrific guitar department led for so many years by the wonderful Adam Holzman, and a Board of Directors second to none.
It is my fervent hope that the success of the ACGS be duplicated in hundreds of towns and cities throughout our country. Were this to be possible, our nation would become more united, more cultured and better poised to take on the challenges, both foreseen and unforeseen, awaiting us, as a people, as the 21st century progresses.
Love to all and Happy Thanksgiving! Eliot Fisk
Francisco de la Rosa
Francisco de la Rosa is a wonderful young artist we've known for years through our education program at Akins High School. He’ll graduate in 2013, and he stopped by the office to talk a little bit about guitar, ACGS, and his plans for the future.
From KUT's John Aielli
It’s amazing to think that we’ve been taking guitarists from around the world to perform on John Aielli’s Eklektikos at KUT for more than 15 years now. John has been an incredible supporter of ACGS, and we’ve had many memorable times on air. And it’s not unusual to see John at the concerts! John just sent this over for our Changing Lives Storyboard:
“The Austin Classical Guitar Society has really brought the guitar to center stage. The society is now one of the major performing arts groups in the area. I've always loved the guitar and the way it sounds on the air. Now many more people are attending concerts to hear the greatest guitarists in the world, right here in Austin, thanks to the Austin Classical Guitar Society.”
My Motivation for Playing
We received this marvelous story from one of our Community Guitarists Ensemble members, who prefers to remain anonymous.
Back in the 70's, I studied classical guitar. I even got to the point where I was performing little 20-minute recitals with pieces by Bach, Carlevaro, and selections from Frederic Noad's student books.
I got married and bought a house in the 80’s and lost touch with the guitar. We moved to Austin after the economic meltdown of 2008 and, for a variety of reasons, after a few months I descended into a severe clinical depression. A therapist, who was a folk music fan, prescribed playing guitar again for at least 20 minutes each day. "I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner," she said. She recommended I start with fun and easy things, and I felt really inclined to bring back my old classical pieces.
I got really involved with ACGS in 2010 when I volunteered for the Guitar Foundation of America festival at the Long Center. I auditioned for the ACGS Community Guitarists Ensemble the following fall. When I told the doctor at the VA about my upcoming audition, she could tell that I was "out of danger!”
It’s for this reason my motivation for playing in the ACGS ensemble is so high. I have no delusions about "going anywhere" with it. It's a mental health thing.
I'm not a combat vet per se, but I know what it's like to low-crawl to bunker during a rocket attack in Vietnam. When I read in the paper a few years ago about the horrible numbers of suicides and PTSD cases among Iraq and Afghan vets, it broke my heart. A dream of mine is to have an opportunity to give back by volunteering my time and knowledge to help motivated veterans with beginning classical guitar. From my own experience, I firmly believe that the discipline and concentration encouraged by learning guitar re-wires the brain in a healthful way that medication never can.
Javier Saucedo
Javier Saucedo is a wonderful young artist we've known for years through our education program. He was this year's ACGS Austin Community College full scholarship recipient, and he stopped by the office to talk a little bit about guitar, ACGS, and his plans for the future.
A Note of Thanks from Matt Hinsley
Classical guitar is magic. The instrument is so beautiful, the sound so precious, the music so diverse and captivating, the art form so vibrant. To listen to classical guitar is to step into a world of subtle nuance, color, and contrast.
The magic may course through the strings, the wood and the rosette, but it begins with students, performers, and composers, and is made manifest in our ears, in our minds, and in our imaginations.
I think of the twelve-year-old boy who wrote this year asking for a guitar program in his school, of the veteran who shared his amazing story with us last week, of the kids at Gardner Betts whose class I saw a few short weeks ago, of the young man who graduated high school and received our full scholarship to pursue guitar at ACC.
I think of changed lives, and I think: Thank You.
I think of the debut of FlamencoAustin, of the spectacular premiere of an original film score in June, of the LAGQ’s return to Austin, of Jorge Caballero and the Miró Quartet at the Long Center, of Classical Cactus and Austin Guitar Salon, of Grisha and Jerome Mouffe playing for 1,000 kids in 10 schools.
The art is thriving here, reaching thousands, and it’s all because of you.
Thank you for coming to our events, for supporting our programs, and for your commitment to music in our community. Thank you for your belief in the Austin Classical Guitar Society.
In gratitude,
Matthew Hinsley, Executive Director
Austin Classical Guitar Society
Vieaux: Program and Matt's Insights
Jason Vieaux is such a tremendous guitarist!
I remember when he won the GFA competition. Even then (in the early 90s) it was the most important guitar competition in the world. And for Jason to win it at age 19 was a truly extraordinary feat.
Jason went on to become one of the youngest faculty members ever at Cleveland Institute of Music, and has since released something like a dozen recordings.
Tix here, join us for the pre-show dinner if you can (we’re taking over Gusto Italian Kitchen at 5:30 with wine and dessert included!), details on that are here. Questions? Call us at 512-300-2247.
Jason’s program is just awesome. It includes a mix of some of the greatest, most venerable classics in the repertoire like John Dowland’s E Major Fantasy and Bach’s first “lute suite”, with some fantastic new and groovy selections.
Most everyone knows that JS Bach was German. He lived 1685-1750 and is, according to many, the greatest composer of all time. He was an organist himself, and while we don’t think he played the lute (and there were no guitars, in the modern sense, at the time), when he died we know he owned several keyboard instruments that were, believe it or not, actually designed to sound like lutes! The action inside them included gut strings plucked by leather picks, rather than the standard metal strings plucked by quills! They were called lautenwerks, and it’s thought that perhaps Bach wrote his so-called “lute suites” on these instruments.
Here’s Ben Beirs playing the prelude from the suite. Incidentally, Ben was here last spring with his French duo partner Maud LaForest as part of our Community Concert Series!
John Dowland is perhaps the best-known of the English Elizabethan lute players. He wrote 88 extant songs for lute and voice. Some of you may know that I love to sing, and for a while I avidly pursued playing and singing all 88 of those wonderful songs! I made it pretty far, but not all the way, since the subject matter is often super-depressing (unrequited love to the extreme)!
Dowland is a stunningly artistic and intricate composer – and he holds a special place in my heart. The concert begins with one of his great solo fantasies (Jason’s not planning to sing) and I can’t wait.
One of the great 20th century works for guitar is by the UK’s Benjamin Britten, and it’s called The Nocturnal. Here’s today’s cool conceptual tie-in:
The Nocturnal is a reverse theme and variations based on a song – “Come heavy Sleep” – by…. You guessed it!... John Dowland! Why “reverse” theme and variations? Because you don’t hear the theme until the end. And it’s so glorious when it arrives.
The second half has an awesome piece written just for Jason , several Spanish selections from the great Isaac Albeniz, a Pat Metheny tune (!), and one of my favorites, Suite del Recuerdo, by Argentine composer Jose Luis Merlin.
We’re in for a real treat – and I can’t wait to see you there!
Oh, Guitar Players and students! Jason’s also recently launched a phenomenal new online guitar school. I have many friends and colleagues that have checked it out and love it. What a great use of the internet – to be able to study with one of the guitar greats anytime, anywhere, for an affordable rate! Check it out!
“Sir, Can I ask Dr. Hinsley a Question?”
Eight high school boys in matching maroon T-shirts are focused intensely on Travis Marcum, our Director of Education. They are sitting with their left feet on footstools, holding classical guitars, playing a piece of music beautifully together. Their playing is not only synchronized, but it’s full of careful nuance with gorgeous and expressive moments that persist even in spite of the sporadic radio chatter from the guards just outside the open door in the hallway.
At the soft and slowing finish, Travis congratulates the group on their progress. This is the second performance of the piece this evening, and already they’ve refined tone, togetherness and several expressive moments. He asks if anyone has a comment and the boy to my right, Randy, raises his hand. “Sir, I didn’t think we were right together at the end of measure eight, sir.” One of the other boys nods at this observation, and Travis replies, “Excellent, let’s work on measure eight.”
It’s the kind of magic Travis Marcum, and our whole education team, help to create in thirty Austin schools each and every day. But only this school, Gardner Betts, is a full lock-down residential facility of the Travis County Juvenile Justice System.
Earlier that evening I met Travis at his car in the parking lot. “Leave your cell phone in your glove compartment so it doesn’t get scratched in the bucket” he told me. When we entered, keys and cell phones (had we kept them) had to be deposited in a bucket at the front desk before we could enter the secure part of the facility.
As Travis and I set up the chairs for class he told me the kids were excited I would be there: “They’ve been playing a few of your pieces, and so they were pretty pumped when I told them you’d be here tonight.” Four guards escorted the boys in, each of them with a guitar in one hand, and a music stand in the other with their music and footstool balanced on top.
The work began immediately after set up and tuning. “Play four Gs, then four Bs, then four Es with great tone – on my count…” Travis kept them constantly engaged in positive, pro-active self-evaluation and constructive criticism. His dedication to excellence is infectious, and each boy has caught the bug.
“Stop for sec. Rodrigo, how do you feel about our sound just now?” “I thought… on the E string, our sound was kind of thin, sir.” “What can we do to make that better, Rodrigo?” “We need to come across the string at more of an angle, sir.” “Can you show the class both ways?” Yes, Rodrigo could demonstrate both ways. And the class joined him as they refined their sound.
About a month ago I received a letter from a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Gardner Betts. He described the effects of our guitar class on one of the boys like this:
“A 17 year old male entered our program with a plethora of obstacles for success in his life. He was raised primarily in a single parent home with one of his parents being in and out of jail and/or drug rehabilitation programs. This child had made poor decisions with his own life by developing his own drug habit, committing crimes, and becoming delinquent in school. Although he is very bright and has multiple gifts and talents, these decisions limited his success in school and in society. Upon entering the program, his motivation for positive change was extremely low.
When offered an opportunity to join the guitar class, he enrolled. His motivation began to snowball and spread to other areas of programming. He went from putting forth minimal effort in school and his drug rehabilitation to becoming a leader by example for his peers. This youth is currently back on track to graduate high school on time and return to his home with a renewed commitment to his family and to himself for a more productive future.”
They have a performance coming up in the courthouse at a swearing-in ceremony for volunteer court-appointed advocates. Our guitar classes play for every such ceremony now. With the show not far away, Travis explained some of the particulars including the walk outside across the parking lot to the courthouse. “I wish we could be outside now,” one boy said aloud to himself.
“Sir, can I ask Dr. Hinsley a question?” This was repeated by James several times throughout the class. “James, we’ll be able to ask Dr. Hinsley questions at the end of class,” Travis replied. The end of class was approaching, and James sensed his opportunity: “Sir, can I ask Dr. Hinsley a question?” “Yes, James, now is a great time to ask Dr. Hinsley a question.” James looked me in the eyes and said “Dr. Hinsley, would you play something for us?” And of course I did.
At the end of class they lined up to shake my hand. Several said they couldn’t wait for me to come back. Last month we had some guest artists in town perform for them, and one boy wanted to know if I knew them. “They were so fast and so together, they were amazing, sir.”
Travis’ work at Gardner Betts, and our work in education broadly, is what we are most proud of at the Austin Classical Guitar Society. We are proud because we have the privilege to work with such diverse young people, and have an opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives. I’m sure they don’t realize, though, the profoundly positive difference they make in our lives, too.
Dr. Matthew Hinsley, Executive Director
Austin Classical Guitar Society
Information is available online about ACGS Educational Outreach and the global curriculum project developed by ACGS for classroom classical guitar instruction. A December 2011 KUT radio story on the program at Gardner Betts is available for online streaming, as is Dr. Hinsley’s recent editorial in the Austin American Statesman on the importance of arts in education. Donate here.
Sat. 10/27, Amazing Home, Amazing Music!
I’m so excited about our next Austin Guitar Salon concert featuring fabulous young talent Stephen Krishnan. It’s Saturday the 27th at 7PM – tickets and information are here.
If you haven’t been to an Austin Guitar Salon event before – then it’s important to know that your ticket includes a wine reception and cheese and other delicious tasty treats from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop!
Check out this amazing home! Below is a description of the house courtesy of our friends, and partners, at the Heritage Society of Austin.
Special thanks to our generous ongoing Austin Guitar Salon sponsors – The Kinney Company!
The Huron Mills house is an excellent example of Colonial Revival residential architecture. It is a two-story rectangular-plan side-gabled brick Colonial Revival house with a monumental full-height portico supported by paired fluted Ionic columns. Above the front door, a round arched set of French doors opens onto a balcony with ornamental metal railing.
The house was built in 1939 for Huron Weston Mills and his wife Billie Hicks Mills. The couple married in 1922 and moved to Austin the following year. Huron Mills originally worked as a bookkeeper for the Kirkpatrick Lumber Company; Kirkpatrick became the Reinhardt Lumber Company in 1927 and Mills became the secretary/treasurer. In 1928, Mills opened the Cash Lumber Company on Guadalupe Street and acted as manager/secretary/treasurer/proprietor until the building closed in 1957. His was the first lumber company in Austin to operate as a cash-only business. Mills also served as the vice-president, president, and director of the Kiwanis Club in the 1940s.
Huron and Billie Mills sold the house to James and Georgia Neill in 1951. Phillip and Marie Cannon then William and Dorothy Karcher were owners of the home. The current owners Sabrina & Jay Brown have protected the home with City of Austin Landmark status.
LAGQ in Pictures!
What a night we had!
The LA Guitar Quartet gave us a magnificent opening to our International Concert Series on Saturday. Here's a few fabulous photos from the evening. Special thanks to our photographer, Arlen Nydam, for these amazing images!
Things began with a marvelous performance of Mozart and York by McCallum High School's Chamber Ensemble directed by Andrew Clark. They played beautifully.
You may have noticed that things at ACGS events continue to change. If you've seen improvements, they are no doubt the result of the efforts of our marvelous event manager Julie Stoakley. Here's a shot of her latest invention - our lighted concessions tent with items like assorted snacks from AustinNuts, and 6 different varieties of Cake Balls (the Cake Ball sold out). All concession proceeds benefitted McCallum's guitar program.
The main attraction! The LAGQ (L-R: Scott Tennant, Matthew Greif, John Dearman, Bill Kanengiser) gave us an incredible performance of music ranging from Jazz and Brazilian to African, to Stravinsky and De Falla. Wow!
The crowd went wild! Standing ovation. For their encore they played one of Scott's arrangements: Farewell to Stromness (Peter Maxwell Davies).
Before their encore, Bill said some very nice things including my favorite quote of the evening that went something like this: "We've been all around and seen a lot of guitar societies... and there are none like the Austin Classical Guitar Society." Thank you Bill.
And here we are after the show, and before dinner and dessert! They had worked up an appetite!
LAGQ Program!
Well, they’ve done it again!
The LA Guitar Quartet always has the coolest programs.
They are starting with “Two African Pieces” (Mbira & Djembe) arranged by William Kanengiser and Andrew York, respectively. Such cool pieces! I’ve heard them play these before, and it’s a light, rhythmic, wonderful way to start off the show.
Things heat up quickly, though, with a giant Kanengiser arrangement of 6 selections from Stravinky’s “Pulcinella”! You can always count on Bill to push the boundaries of what classical guitar can do.
The first half speeds to a close with a set of five Brazilian pieces. The composers are Paolo Bellinati, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Heitor Villa-lobos, and Baden Powell.
Listen to the LA Quartet performing a Bach Brandenburg Concerto now!
“On All Fours” by Portland music magician Bryan Johanson (b.1951) begins the second half. Then we’ll feel the jazz influence of the LAGQ’s newest member Matt Greif with a set of three “Post-Bop” Classics: So What (Miles Davis) Blue in Green (Davis) and Giant Steps (John Coltrane).
And the program ends with 12 vignettes of Manuel de Falla’s iconic “El Amor Brujo” arranged by Bill Kanengiser.
Get your tickets online or give us a call at 512-300-ACGS! See you there.
Matt
P.S. – I thought you might enjoy reading Bill’s program notes on the de Falla. Here they are, to help prepare you for the magic!
Manuel de Falla was one of the greatest Spanish composers of the 20th century, and despite the fact that he only wrote one very brief piece for guitar, arrangements of his music have become a staple of the guitarist’s repertoire. Some of the most popular are individual movements from his ballet El Amor Brujo, scored originally for full orchestra and mezzo-soprano.
About twenty years ago, I decided to attempt to arrange the entire ballet for four guitars. What is lost in orchestral color is perhaps gained in the authentic gypsy sonority of the guitar, which de Falla in some way was trying to convey in his original. Set in a gypsy camp, the story deals with Candelas, a beautiful young girl, who is being courted by Carmelo. Complicating matters, the spirit of her former lover, a soldier killed in battle, haunts her and the gypsies. The piece opens with a strong theme that represents the jealousy of the ghost. Later, we find ourselves “In the Cave” with a brooding mystery. In “The Song of Sorrowful Love,” Candelas sings of the pain of an unattainable Love. The ghost then flies into the cave and the gypsies launch into “The Dance of Terror”. Striving to rid themselves of the apparition, they join hands around the Fire, and have a séance in the gentle “Magic Circle”. They then try to exorcise the ghost in the furious “Ritual Fire Dance” which ends with insistent chords as they try to stamp the spirit out into the fire. Magic, it seems, cannot break the spell, as the ghost reappears, and Candelas sings of the fleeting nature of Love in “the Song of the Will o’ the Wisp”. It is then that she decides to use love instead of sorcery, and she persuades her friend Lucia to dance a seductive Tango (in 7/8 time) to lure the ghost way. At the end of this “Pantomime” movement, the opening theme of the ghost is just a whisper. This leaves Candelas and Carmelo free to exchange the kiss that will break the spell, as they dance a bulerías in “The Dance of the Game of Love”. In the “Finale” Candelas sings to the ghost: “I am the fire in which you are consumed; I am the sea in which you drown!” As the “Bells of Dawn” peal triumphantly, we find that love, not witchcraft, is the most powerful sorcerer.
- Bill Kanengiser
FlamencoAustin In Pictures
We had a blast last week at the debut show of FlamencoAustin. Thanks to master photographer Arlen Nydam, we can share these gorgeous photos of the evening! If you didn't get to see Grisha play last Thursday, check out this unbelievable and beautiful video taken when we were at KUT. Grisha plays Paco de Lucia's Bulerias - video by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon.
Two things happened before the show. In the Kodosky Lounge, we were serving a full, authentic Spanish Dinner prepared by Chef Maria Fernanda Candil. Here's a glimpse of the tapas spread!
And here's a close-up of one of three different Paellas she made! Yum!
The dinner was super-popular, and got us in the mood for the entertainment to come!
But that's not all! Across the way, we had free tapas by Chef Duran of Málaga Tapas and bar, along with a live flamenco performance by Pilar Andújar and her marvelous troupe! It would have been out on the city terrace, but we moved it up to the west pincer because of the rain!
It's all about the feet! So marvelous!
Look at all those people!!! The west pincer was packed. And folks had a great time. With the smaller space it was tough getting to the amazing tapas, but the wait was worth it!
Ah, show time. Here I am introducing Grisha. See all that black behind me? It's a curtain. The big surprise of the evening was that we had 75 kids from 5 schools waiting behind the curtain to play a piece before Grisha took the stage! Over 1300 in the audience, by the way...
And here they are! The amazing Travis Marcum, our Director of Education, is conducting.
Hooray! They played beautifully. I love this shot, because you can see them all! One is even waving in the back row!
What can I say? Grisha is amazing! He took us away last Thursday with a simply unbelievable performance.
And at the end, Jerome Mouffe came out and the two of them were dazzling. It's safe to say that their rendition of "Flight of the Bumblebee" was the most talked-about part of the evening. People were amazed and amused. Just transporting!
And here we are post-show and pre-Home Slice Pizza!
Thanks again to Arlen Nydam for these fabulous photos! See you all Saturday October 6th for LA Guitar Quartet!
Flamenco This Week!
FlamencoAustin is a dream come true. And it’s this Thursday!
In 16 years presenting guitar I’ve seen just a few transcendent artists I’d call true superstars. Performers of such extraordinary quality, they are in a class all their own. Grisha is one of them.
In my teens I spent a summer in Spain. I’ll never forget the energy, the spectacle, the food, the music and dance of my first flamenco show in Sevilla.
My dream for FlamencoAustin is to bring that rich feast for the senses right here to Austin.
I hope you’ll join us. Call 512-474-LONG for tickets ($27-$52).
We’ve put together an amazing flamenco party (6:30pm) with free tapas by Málaga Tapas and Bar – chef Alejandro Duran will be there personally serving his famous dishes. Twin Liquors has selected Spanish wines, and we’ll even have live flamenco music and dance by Pilar Andújar.
We also have a few seats left for the full authentic Spanish dinner, prepared by chef Maria Fernanda Candil, that we’ll serve in the Kodosky Lounge (also 6:30). Simplify your evening, join us for dinner, and you’ll still have time to check out Pilar’s show on the terrace if you like!
Grisha will take the stage at 8PM in Dell Hall. I can’t say enough about this supremely gifted guitarist. Learn more about his program, and see some astonishing videos, here.
FlamencoAustin has been two years in the making. I can’t wait to share the debut of this series with you Thursday night. Austin to Andalucía at the speed of sight and sound.
Olé!
FretBuzz is Here!
September, 2012 - Austin
Write for FretBuzz! Email the Editor.
In this issue:
- Grisha preview by Miguel Rodriguez (Akins High)
- Grisha preview by Austin Davenport (Akins High)
- FretBuzz Exclusive Interview: Jorge Caballero
Want to see Grisha on 9/13? Concert info online here.
Classical Guitar at its Best, by Miguel Rodriguez
Nowadays there are great guitarists performing on big stages. One in particular is Grisha Goryachev. He is a virtuoso flamenco and classical guitar player. He began to play at the age of six. Taught by his father, he quickly showed potential on the guitar. As he got older and practiced more he became a flamenco guitarist - a style that originated in Spain. Grisha was a prodigy who became famous in Russia, then in Europe and now even here in the United States.
I have heard him playing Spanish songs such like Farruca, Panaderos, and Taranta. He has a beautiful and fascinating way of playing his guitar. When you hear him play you can feel he and the guitar as one. His emotions and energy put into his fingers - where they meet with the strings and produce a fantastic sound. His motions with strumming and plucking the guitar are strong. For every song that he plays, you can picture a scene! His notes are clear and his sound is perfect - whether he plays a piece that is loud and piercing or a soothing and quiet song. On top of that he seems strong and confident of playing any piece he is given, he has a great talent for the flamenco style and for playing the classical guitar.
I myself am a guitar player, but not as quite as good as Grisha! I am proud to say that I and my class – along with several others – will have the opportunity to open for him in the Long Center here in Austin, Texas. We have been practicing a piece we’ll perform to open for him. After we play we get to sit back and hear him and his music. I can’t wait to watch him fill the audience with passionate and fun music. Grisha Goryachev is great at what he does and how he does it. A young and confident man such as himself will be a great pleasure to meet.
- Miguel Rodriguez is a freshman at Akins High School. He began guitar at Fulmore Middle School, and auditioned directly into the advanced class at Akins as a first year high school student.
Grisha: Pinnacle of Classical Guitar, by Austin Davenport
Grisha Goryachev represents a pinnacle of classical guitar. The man is a perfect example of what the instrument, and the player, are capable of. When I heard that my ensemble is going to perform with him, I was not only excited for another great performance with a professional, but I was also given the chance of writing about what it's like. Honestly, I can't believe the luck and privilege I have to be able to do this!
If I was to guess who Grisha studied with, I'd say Eliot Fisk. When he performs he gives the same level of separation as Mr. Fisk. They both make it seem as if they are non-existent and only the guitar is performing. Along with that, Grisha just has amazing speed. Turns out I was right, Grisha studied with Mr. Fisk at New England Conservatory of Music.
Grisha is the type of guitarist I wish to be when I get older. The music he plays is strange and abstract, but when you hear it and take it in it fills you with emotion and awe.
My favorite thing, and something he and I actually have in common, is that we don't look at the guitar so much when we perform (though he does a way better job of it)! He and I like to move and feel the music. He does it in such a way that it seems as if he is a lone member of his own audience, free to move to the music as it moves him (emotionally). He even closes his eyes giving himself a heightened sense of hearing and with it a deeper connection to his music.
I remember the first time I saw a professional guitarist. His name was Alejandro Cote and he was a Caribbean guitarist that played some flamenco pieces. The speed and emotion he was able to project amazed me. My eyes had a hard time just watching and trying to keep up with and it all made me very curious about that style of guitar.
I’ve practiced a lot since then, and the more I practice the more anxious I get. In my mind I'm always asking myself if I'm there yet, at that level of skill - slowly but surely my skill is increasing. However, I know I can push myself more still. I myself can count the number of years I've been playing on one hand, and if I'm going to get to the same level as these titans of guitar, I'm going to need years more of intense practice.
I actually had the pleasure and honor of not only attending, but opening up for, an Eliot Fisk show. He completely blew us out of the water, though he probably didn't do it on purpose. That night I was studying his technique and his hand movements. He really showed me that I have a long journey ahead of me with the instrument. I can't say that I will make it to the point where I can play that same Paganini Caprice, but I will say that it is a goal of mine to reach that level of skill someday.
- Austin Davenport is a senior at Akins High School. A third-year guitar student, currently in the advanced ensemble, Austin was a member of a select group of students that performed in KMFA’s “Kids Recording Kids” this past summer.