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  1. Victoria Guitar Society
    The Victoria Guitar Society is thrilled to present two of Canada's finest players in Guitar BC - a concert showcasing British Columbia's exceptional players. Anna Pietrzak and Michael Kolk join forces in an eclectic program of duos and solos featuring works of Beethoven, Granados, Barrios, and Latin favorites. Saturday Dec. 9, 7:30pm in the Phillip T. Young Hall at the University of Victoria. Tickets online and at the door (card payment only). victoriaguitarsociety.ca Anna Pietrzak is a versatile guitarist, pedagogue, recording artist, adjudicator and founder of the Vancouver Guitar Orchestra. She is a laureate of over a dozen guitar competitions in Europe and has performed as a soloist as well as with chamber music ensembles and orchestras in Poland, Austria, China, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Spain, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Anna currently resides in Vancouver, BC, where she teaches students of all ages, from beginner to university and postgraduate levels. Michael Kolk has established himself as one of Canada's most accomplished classical guitarists. He has performed at festivals and concert halls throughout North America and Europe both as a soloist and as a member of the HK Guitar Duo with Drew Henderson. Michael has been a top prize winner at numerous guitar competitions and holds an ARCT performance diploma from the Royal Conservatory, as well as Master's degree in guitar performance from the University of Toronto. In addition to performing and recording, he is active as a teacher and has guided many students to successful RCM exams and post-secondary auditions. After many years based in Toronto, Michael relocated to Vancouver in September 2022.
  2. Victoria Guitar Society
    Victoria Guitar Society is pleased to present the first concert in our 2023-2024 season Virtuoso! This opening concert features the spectacular Lovro Peretić an award-winning guitarist from Croatia. He began studying guitar at a young age, graduating from the Zagreb Academy of Music and spending one year on an exchange program at the École Supérieure Musique et Danse Hauts-de-France, Lille and specialising in music performance at the Haute École de Musique de Genève. Regarded as one of the leading guitarists of the younger generation, Peretić has won numerous prestigious international guitar competitions, including the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), EuroStrings Guitar Competition and Changsha International Guitar Competition. He will be performing works of Scarletti, Tchaikovsky, Castelneovo-Tedasco and others. Tickets and information: victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  3. Victoria Guitar Society
    VGS Presents Rising Star Robert Wang in a Captivating Evening of Baroque Guitar and Modern Masterpieces Victoria Guitar Society (VGS) is delighted to announce an extraordinary musical event featuring the exceptional talents of Robert Wang. The young virtuoso will grace the stage at the Phillip T. Young Hall, located at the University of Victoria, on Saturday, August 12 at 7:30pm. Renowned for his mastery of period instruments, modern music interpretation, and composition, Robert Wang promises an enchanting evening of mesmerizing melodies. Audiences can expect an exquisite repertoire of works for the baroque guitar, including compositions by Sor, Scriabin, Bach and other timeless composers. "We are thrilled to present Robert Wang, an incredible talent who possesses a remarkable ability to breathe life into both classical and contemporary compositions," said Ben Blackledge, Director at VGS. "His command over the baroque guitar and his distinctive interpretation of diverse musical genres are a true testament to his artistic brilliance. Tickets for this highly anticipated event are available now priced at $25 for general admission, $20 for VGS members and $15 for under 18s. They are available on the door with card payment only or through the VGS website: https://www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca This performance closes the Summer Intensive Guitar Program running between August 8-12 and organised by the Victoria Conservatory of Music in collaboration with VGS. This program is designed for all levels of guitar player with engaging activities including individual lessons, technique sessions and masterclasses. Registration for the guitar program is available on https://vcm.bc.ca closing July 17.
  4. Victoria Guitar Society
    Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine as “confident and quite extraordinary”, Korean guitarist Bokyung Byun will bring her extraordinary talent to the UVic Philip T. Young Recital Hall on Friday March 17th at 7:30pm. One of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation, Byun’s concert will close Victoria Guitar Society’s Virtuosa! series which has highlighted some of the top female classical guitarists in the world. Byun holds the distinction of being the first female winner of the prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, where Falletta herself described Byun’s performance as "stunning, showcasing her gorgeous tone, immaculate technique, and sophisticated musicianship.” This win is among many wherein Byun excelled in the competitive circuit, including winning the grand prize at the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, known as the most prestigious guitar competition in the world. Committed to expanding the role of a 21st-century musician, Byun’s concert program often features contemporary music alongside traditional repertoire. Her debut recording in 2020 has been praised by Soundboard Magazine as “a very beautiful disc. From the first notes of the ‘Gallarda’ from Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Escarraman, we are treated to extraordinary musicianship, technical assurance, and beauty of sound.” Don’t miss the chance to see Bokyung Byun perform live at the UVic Philip T. Young Recital Hall on Friday, March 17th at 7:30pm. Regular tickets are $30, $25 for members and $15 for under 18s. They are available on the door with card payment or through the society’s website: https:// www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca In addition, a masterclass where Byun will instruct some of Victoria’s rising classical guitar stars is open to the public to watch at 10am on the day of the concert at the same location. Tickets are $10 with card payment on the door or free for Victoria Guitar Society members
  5. Victoria Guitar Society
    Victoria Guitar Society’s Virtuosa! concert series continues on Jan. 14 with Laura Young, an award-winning classical guitarist, who will put on a concert featuring some of the finest works of classical guitar. Victoria Guitar Society Director, Ben Blackledge, said: “We are very fortunate to have such an exceptional guitarist playing in Victoria. Laura brings incredible virtuosity and interpretation to bear on a programme including Bach, Reger and Albéniz amongst many others. It will be a night to remember!” Young, originally from Toronto but now based in Barcelona, has won prestigious prizes at international competitions such as the ‘Andrés Segovia Competition’ in Palma de Mallorca and the ‘Jacinto e Inocencio Guererro’ in Madrid. Laura is currently professor at the Escuela Superior de Musica de Catalunya (ESMUC) in Barcelona. The concert will take place at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall at the University of Victoria and will begin at 7.30p.m. on Jan. 14, 2023. Regular tickets are $30, reduced to $25 for Victoria Guitar Society members and $15 for under 18s. They are available on the door with card payment or through the society’s website: https://www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca The Virtuosa! concert series hosted by Victoria Guitar Society aims to highlight some of the top female classical guitarists in the world and will continue with Bokyung Byun on Mar. 17, 2023. In addition, a masterclass where Young will instruct some of Victoria’s rising classical guitar stars is open to the public to view at 9am on Jan. 13 at the same location. Tickets are $10 with card payment on the door or free for Victoria Guitar Society members.
  6. Victoria Guitar Society
    HEADLINE: Victoria Guitar Society present Dale Kavanagh in concert Victoria Guitar Society will hold the first event in its Virtuosa! Concert Series on Nov. 27 featuring one of the world’s leading female classical guitarists, Dale Kavanagh. Artistic Director of Victoria Guitar Society, Alexander Dunn, said: “In the first concert of the Virtuosa! series, Dale Kavanagh blends amazing facility, inspiring musicianship and wonderful presentation in a program of Paganini, Villa-Lobos and Sor, as well as featuring some of her own compositions. This performer is not to be missed!” The Canadian guitarist has won top prizes in many acclaimed competitions including Segovia in Spain, Gargnano in Italy and Neuchatel in Germany. She was also First and Special Prize winner in Finland’s ‘Scandinavian International Guitar Competition’. She is currently Professor of Guitar at the Conservatory of Music in Detmold, Germany and draws experience from over one thousand recitals in more than forty countries. The concert will take place at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall at the University of Victoria and starts at 8p.m. on Nov. 27, 2022. Regular tickets are $30, reduced to $25 for Victoria Guitar Society members and $15 for under 18s. They are available on the door with card payment or through the society’s website: https://www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca The Virtuosa! Concert Series hosted by Victoria Guitar Society aims to highlight some of the top female classical guitarists and will continue with Laura Young on Jan. 14, 2023 and Bokyung Byun on Mar. 17, 2023. Victoria Guitar Society is a charity based in Victoria that promotes all things classical guitar hosting regular concerts, open-mic sessions, masterclasses, and musical outreach. More information on upcoming events and how you can join can be found on their website: https://www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  7. Victoria Guitar Society
    Swiss classical guitarist, Johan Smith, is a highly acclaimed, illustrious musician, bringing virtuosic interpretations to his instrument. Winner of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition in 2019 and defined as the "Classical Guitar Revelation 2017" by the notable French magazine "Guitar Classical Magazine", Johan Smith has become one of the most prominent names in the world of classical guitar. He has been invited to perform in renowned festivals, is a highly in-demand concert soloist, and has performed with orchestras such as the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and the Versoix Chamber Orchestra. He is currently preparing the recording of his second album with Naxos, as well as tours that will bring him to perform in China, the United States, Canada, and at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York. Playing at the highest level, Johan Smith has won some of the most competitive and distinguished guitar competitions in the world. As a result of his 2019 win of classical guitar’s most venerable competition, Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), Johan has recorded his first solo album with the Naxos Label (2020); He was a featured soloist in the virtual June 2020 GFA conference, and is on a nine- month tour from September 2021 throughout June 2022, presenting solo concerts, conducting masterclasses and outreach activities in over 50 cities across the United States and Canada. Johan is recording his second album with the Naxos Label as part of winning 1st place in the Changsha International Guitar Competition in 2019, and, will also be embarking on a 6-city tour throughout China (Hangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, Yueyang, Xi’an, Changsha). Tickets available at www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  8. Victoria Guitar Society
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    The Victoria Guitar Society is proud to present Drew Henderson in collaboration with the Victoria Conservatory of Music's Summer Intensive Program - Guitar. Drew will adjudicate a Masterclass at the beginning of the week and present a Recital to close the week of classical guitar studies. Drew enjoys a multifaceted career in the arts as a performer, recording artist, music producer and teacher. After receiving his musical education at the University of Toronto where he earned a Master of Music degree in 2005 under Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, Drew travelled to Italy in 2007 to continue his studies with renown guitarists Lorenzo Micheli, and Matteo Mela. During this time, he was also heavily involved in the competition circuit, being awarded six prizes at international competitions. After his studies, he began performing professionally, and has concertized throughout Canada, the U.S., and Italy; bringing a program of both guitar favourites as well as his own unique arrangements. During one of Drew’s concerts, one can expect to hear a mix of evocative Spanish music, introspective Baroque masterpieces, and virtuosic selections from the Romantic era. In 2018-19, Drew’s performances include solo recitals at the Palazzo Nicolaco in Italy, the Cleveland Institute of Music, a workshop at the University School of Music in Lugano, Switzerland, and a performance of Rodrigo’s famous Concierto de Aranjuez with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra. Drew also has a very popular classical guitar channel on YouTube, in which he performs and produces all the content himself. On this channel you can listen to over 50 performances of works he has adapted for the guitar by composers such as Bach, Paganini and Schubert; some of which feature an 8-string custom made guitar. Currently, Drew’s channel has over 30,000 subscribers, and has reached over 6 million views. As a music producer, Drew is in high demand for both sound engineering and videography. He has worked with some of today’s leading guitarists to create full-length albums and videos. His recordings have appeared on several major labels, including Decca, Sony, Naxos and Analekta. This side of his career has taken Drew all over the globe; from North America, to Europe, and Asia. For more information and registration for the recital and masterclass, please go to: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  9. Victoria Guitar Society
    The Victoria Guitar Society is pleased to present a masterclass and technique session with acclaimed classical guitarist Scott Tennant on Saturday March 27th at 3pm (PST) via ZOOM. Scott Tennant is a founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the GRAMMY-winning ensemble composed entirely of alumni of the USC Thornton School of Music, and is himself considered to be one of the world’s top classical guitarists. During his student years at USC (1980-1986), he studied with Pepe Romero, James Smith and was a chosen performer in the USC Segovia Masterclasses of 1981 and 1986. He has authored several books and articles on guitar technique, including the best-seller Pumping Nylon, which has attained a “cult” classic status. It has become a standard text in conservatory and university guitar programs around the world. Tennant has made numerous recordings as a soloist on the GHA, Delos and GSP labels, and with the LAGQ he has recorded for GHA, Delos, Sony Classical, Windham Hill, Deutsche Grammophon and Telarc labels. Their Telarc release LAGQ Latin was nominated for a Grammy award, and it was their current Telarc title LAGQ’s Guitar Heroes that won a Grammy as the best classical crossover recording of 2005. Tennant is best known for his performances of Spanish music, and his recordings of the music of Joaquín Rodrigo. For more information and registration please go to: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  10. Victoria Guitar Society
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    Forgotten Romantic – Music of Rudolf Leberl at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, 1701 Elgin Rd. (in Oak Bay) on Sat., November 21st. 3-5pm. The Victoria Guitar Society is excited to present a Canadian premier of solo guitar and ensemble music of bohemian Rudolf Leberl. Classical guitarist Alexander Dunn, joined by Phillip Manning (violin), Guyonne Le Louarn (viola), Anna Cal (piano) and Simon Farintosh (guitar) offer a program of early 20th century Romanticism – surprise opening guests will introduce you to this delightful composer. Rudolf Leberl (1884-1952) whose music belongs to the aesthetic family of Dvořák and Janáček, worked in the Czech Republic and Bavaria, producing over 1500 works for guitar which are only now receiving their due recognition. His entire output includes thirty large solo cycles for guitar as well as works for orchestra, strings, winds, piano and chamber music. Leberl suffered from the socio-political devastation following two World Wars. His works, which he had to abandon to escape oppression, were salvaged by his former students. Rudolf Leberl died in 1952 both destitute and blind. With a recent surge in interest in Leberl’s fine works, guitarists can now be nourished by his enchanting and delectable music. Viewing options for this afternoon of fine music include the live venue with reduced capacity venue, physical distancing and expectation of mask wearing when not seated or online streaming from the comfort of your home. For more information and ticket access please go to: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  11. Victoria Guitar Society
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    The Victoria Guitar Society is excited to present a showcase of diverse repertoire performed by local talent as its postponed season-end concert . From Renaissance and Baroque favourites and early vocal music, through the development of solo guitar repertoire to contemporary Cuban and Russian guitar composers, this programme has something for every music lover. ADRIAN CHEN is an aspiring young classical guitarist currently studying under Dr. Alexander Dunn. Prior to winning the Performing Arts BC Festival in 2019, Adrian won first prize in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival for the past three years. Having performed at several Performing Arts BC highlight concerts, he received the Susan and Colin Boyer Bursary from the Victoria Conservatory of Music in 2019 for his talent and passion to pursue his musical studies. SIMON FARINTOSH will begin his Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Toronto and has garnered top awards at various competitions in Canada and the US, including 1st Prize at the 2018 Northwest Guitar Festival & Competition and 1st Prize at the 2020 Quebec International Music Competition. He is a four-time recipient of the British Columbia Arts Council Award, and has been a featured artist for the VCM Summer Guitar Academy (BC), The Classical Guitar Society of Tri-Cities (WA) and Madison Classical Guitar Society (WI). Russian born MISHA SMIRNOV began studying classical guitar at age 10 and broadened his musical education by performing in varying styles on classical and electric guitars. He studied under Michael Strutt at the University of British Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in classical guitar performance in 2009. Misha was a prizewinner in the Northwest Guitar Festival in 2017. A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, DOUGLAS HENSLEY has studied classical Persian music with several Iranian masters in California and Paris. He has worked with many ensembles including the Symphony Orchestras of San Francisco, Berkeley and Marin. He co-founded and co-directed several music ensembles including ISKRA with conductor Kent Nagano and the Continuum Consort and has recorded, on several labels, a wide variety of pieces for classical and electric guitars, lutes, viola da pendola, oud, and setâr. Born and raised in Scandinavia, ANNETTE LAMPSON studied Voice and Choral Conducting in England and Germany, where the study and performance of Folk Song through the ages and in original languages became a special interest. She has performed as a soloist in Canada since 1995, including appearances with the Continuum Consort and as part of Ensemble Laude since 2003. Tickets for live seating and streaming available HERE. For more information visit: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
  12. Victoria Guitar Society
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    via ZOOM US based classical guitarist, composer, and storyteller Susan McDonald has shared her music all over the globe, from the Amazon to Iraq, from community concerts to Carnegie Hall performances. A protegée of the legendary Pepe Romero, Susan’s many recordings and live performances have been heard on radio and television broadcasts worldwide. An exciting composer, she is the creator of a unique art called "Animal Ballets," a combination of her original music and video footage with animals as "dancers" to her "orchestra." With the non-profit organization, Remember the River, she works to support artists in conflict zones through teaching, mentorship and donations of musical instruments and art supplies. She works domestically with Young Audiences of Houston and serves as Artistic Director for Fine Arts Foundation. She is Director of Guitar for YES Academies in Iraq and Lebanon and has recently finished serving her fourth term on the Touring Roster of Texas Commission on the Arts and the Mid-America Arts Alliance. Susan has also released ten CDs on the Mayfly label. Dedicated to bringing music to people in regions of conflict or isolation, Susan is the mentor of the Orontes Guitar Quartet currently residing in Victoria, BC. The quartet members, originally from Syria, were able to come to Canada safely two years ago to continue their training and tour across the country. On July 29th, Susan McDonald will share stories from her dangerous and inspiring music journey in the Middle East. The conversation will take us to present day challenges and looking at what role music plays for our well-being and humanity. The talk will be followed by a live discussion with the audience and a Q&A session. Technical requirements: ZOOM (browser or app version), speakers, microphone. Webcam optional. For more information visit: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca/workshop Participation is free to Victoria Guitar Society members or $10 minimum participation fee ($10 payment can be applied to membership if desired). Deadline for registration to get the link is July 28th.
  13. Victoria Guitar Society
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    The Victoria Guitar Society presents Mak Grgic in the 2nd performance of its International Concert Series. Slovenian born Mak Grgic is emerging as a star on the worldwide stage. At the age of 22, Mak made his debut in Russia, performing Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. An expansive and adventurous repertoire attests to his versatility and wide-ranging interests: from the Baroque and Renaissance to music of the cinema; from ethnic music of his native Balkans to extreme avant-garde and microtonal music. Mak's extraordinary talents and tastes as soloist, collaborator, and recording artist are fueled by his curiosity, imagination, and boundless energy. In 2018 Mak was invited by legendary singer-songwriter k.d. lang to perform as the opening act for the North American leg of her Ingénue Redux Tour. Mak's recorded albums capture a probing and continuous exploration of the world of guitar and all its possibilities. His latest recordings, “Balkanisms“ for Naxos Music in collaboration with RTV Slovenija and “MAKrotonal” for MicroFest Records, explore ethnic music, microtonal, new music and early music on re-fretted instruments, such as a “zig-zag fretted Bach prototype guitar” that captures the temperaments of the Baroque period. Mak was one of the first students to apply for USC Thornton’s new Arts Leadership graduate program, which he incorporated into his doctoral studies in guitar. He has been a student of William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, in addition to Brian Head, artistic director of Guitar Foundation of America. In the fall of 2017, he began the Artist Diploma program at USC, the first guitarist in the university’s history to be admitted to this elite program. For more information visit: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca Advance discounted tickets are on our website: www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca and at Good Earth Coffeehouse (Oak Bay), Ivy's Bookshop, Long & McQuade, Tanner's Books (Sidney). Advance price $25 general, $20 senior & $15 student. At the door $30/$25/$20
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