We recieved a very nice letter from Clare Callahan,
Professor Classical Guitar, from the College Conservatory of Music at
University of Cincinnati thanking us profusely for our gift of a New
World Estudio Guitar to their 30th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar
Workshop.
Clare says the guitar arrived safely earlier in the week, and they're all
so enamored with the instrument.
Initially
Jon Marshall got in touch with us about getting ideas for awarding a
guitar at the workshops Saturday concert – "and you just solved the
whole problem by sending us one!" says Clare.
She stated "We don't have a competition, so that wouldn't be the
mechanism, we have guitarists age 10 through retirement…who convene for a
week in July and attend classes in Technique, Ensemble, Masterclasses,
and Special Topics. Every night we show another facet of the guitar in
recitals – with other guitars, with other instruments, as a solo
instrument, playing in the Saturday Guitar Orchestra and then a concert
devoted to only participants doing solos, duos, trios, quartets, etc. on
Sunday afternoon.
It's a slow process, getting classical guitar into the American musical bloodstream, because this is a Pop country. But we deserve a place at the table… the instrument is beautiful and the repertoire terrific! Most guitarists don't even know the extent and breadth of their own repertoire! We celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar Department here in April and ten days from now we'll celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Classical Guitar Workshop. Your guitar will be the cherry on top!
Over the years, we've had several Kenny Hill guitars in the department. Jordan
Dodson, one of the first two students to be admitted to the new Curtis Institute of Music
Guitar program two years ago plays one. Andy Wygant, who is leaving in September
For Brussels to study with Antigoni plays one. Patrick Smith who is headed out to study
with David Tanenbaum at San Francisco Conservatory plays one. Others have come
through the department…. And Rod Stucky in the Prep Dept has students on your
instruments. We are always pleased with Kenny Hill guitars and are delighted to
have this one to award on Saturday, July 13th! We'll put the names of all the participants
in a hat and draw a name….many, many thanks for your continued high standard of
Instrument making and for this generous gift!"
Thank you Clare, it's our pleasure to support such programs. We look forward to hearing who the fortunate recipient is.
JLS
