Nine top international guitarists representing eight nations are in town, participating in the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition at Kleinhans Music Hall.
On June 3rd and 4th, the public is invited to meet many of these gifted artists from the United States, Thailand, France, Germany, Russia, Canada, Serbia and Cuba during the Guitar Days community event. Here, semifinalists who have not advanced in the competition will share their talent with Western New York by performing at numerous locations to varying audiences. These events are free.
The Guitar Days schedule follows:
Thursday, June 3rd
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Atrium from 11am - 1pm
Buffalo & Erie County Central Library, Fables Café from 11am - 1pm
Merge Restaurant, 439 Delaware Avenue from 11am - 1 pm
Chautauqua Institution, Fletcher Hall from 11am - 12pm
Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts from 12:30pm - 2pm
(for a special Master class, selected students only)
Friday, June 4th
Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora from 11:30am - 1pm
Park Creek Senior Living Community, 410 Mill Street, Williamsville, 1:30pm - 2:15 p.m.
Holy Cross Church, Seventh and Maryland in Buffalo from 1pm - 3pm
(where a Guitarra Dia program will be presented in Spanish and English)
Elmwood Village Charter School, 124 Elmwood Avenue from 11am - 1pm
Clarence Senior High School from 8:50am - 11am
About the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Competition:
Named in honor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director, the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition was launched in 2004 by PBS member station WNED and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO). It was the world's first concerto competition for classical guitarists with accompaniment by a full symphony orchestra. The Falletta Competition was established to help identify and encourage talented young classical guitarists and help them on their musical journeys. Every two years, it brings international guitarists to Buffalo, New York for one week to perform publicly in competition for cash prizes, a recording contract, national and international broadcast exposure, and a return engagement with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for young musicians who have dedicated themselves to their art and who are serious about pursuing careers not only as international performing and recording artists, but also as concert soloists.
In addition to bringing prominent recognition to highly-skilled young classical guitarists, WNED and the BPO seek to promote music appreciation and enhance the visibility of the cultural arts in Western New York through the production and broadcast - both nationally and internationally - of television and radio programs about the competition
.
"In this competition, we celebrate our finalists as superb visiting artists. Buffalo is happy to welcome them, and to enjoy their excellent music-making in the semifinal rounds and in the final concert with the Philharmonic. Their presence enriches our region, and we hope that the competition will ultimately increase the presence of the classical guitar on orchestral stages throughout the world."
- JoAnn Falletta Classical Guitar Magazine, November 2006
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On June 3rd and 4th, the public is invited to meet many of these gifted artists from the United States, Thailand, France, Germany, Russia, Canada, Serbia and Cuba during the Guitar Days community event. Here, semifinalists who have not advanced in the competition will share their talent with Western New York by performing at numerous locations to varying audiences. These events are free.
The Guitar Days schedule follows:
Thursday, June 3rd
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Atrium from 11am - 1pm
Buffalo & Erie County Central Library, Fables Café from 11am - 1pm
Merge Restaurant, 439 Delaware Avenue from 11am - 1 pm
Chautauqua Institution, Fletcher Hall from 11am - 12pm
Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts from 12:30pm - 2pm
(for a special Master class, selected students only)
Friday, June 4th
Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora from 11:30am - 1pm
Park Creek Senior Living Community, 410 Mill Street, Williamsville, 1:30pm - 2:15 p.m.
Holy Cross Church, Seventh and Maryland in Buffalo from 1pm - 3pm
(where a Guitarra Dia program will be presented in Spanish and English)
Elmwood Village Charter School, 124 Elmwood Avenue from 11am - 1pm
Clarence Senior High School from 8:50am - 11am
About the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Competition:
Named in honor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director, the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition was launched in 2004 by PBS member station WNED and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO). It was the world's first concerto competition for classical guitarists with accompaniment by a full symphony orchestra. The Falletta Competition was established to help identify and encourage talented young classical guitarists and help them on their musical journeys. Every two years, it brings international guitarists to Buffalo, New York for one week to perform publicly in competition for cash prizes, a recording contract, national and international broadcast exposure, and a return engagement with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for young musicians who have dedicated themselves to their art and who are serious about pursuing careers not only as international performing and recording artists, but also as concert soloists.
In addition to bringing prominent recognition to highly-skilled young classical guitarists, WNED and the BPO seek to promote music appreciation and enhance the visibility of the cultural arts in Western New York through the production and broadcast - both nationally and internationally - of television and radio programs about the competition
.
"In this competition, we celebrate our finalists as superb visiting artists. Buffalo is happy to welcome them, and to enjoy their excellent music-making in the semifinal rounds and in the final concert with the Philharmonic. Their presence enriches our region, and we hope that the competition will ultimately increase the presence of the classical guitar on orchestral stages throughout the world."
- JoAnn Falletta Classical Guitar Magazine, November 2006
I have attended these events in the past and was blown away at the incredible talent of the visiting guitarists. For some of them, this is their first trip to the USA and in years past, the contestants seemed genuinely moved by the local interest and celebration being held in their honor. I highly recommend getting to one or more of these performances!