About the Classes

Master Classes:

Each student will have the opportunity to perform a piece and then receive a coaching with one of the teachers in a 20-30 minute master class. The classes will be determined by level.

Beginning students (Suzuki Book 1) will perform in a 20-minute master class with Sven Rainey or Catherine O'Kelly

Intermediate students (Suzuki Books 2-4) will perform in a 25-minute master class with Christopher Ladd

Advanced students will perform in a 30-minute master class with Christopher Ladd

Suzuki Group Class:

Suzuki instructor Sven Rainey will lead a 45-minute Suzuki group class. Activities will include games with review pieces, naming notes on the staff, improvising rhythms and melodies, and lots of other fun group games! Open only to beginning students (Suzuki Book 1).

Composition Class:

Composer Fraser Andras will teach an hour long introductory course in composition. He will begin the class with an introduction to basic music theory, followed by the creative process of composition, writing chord progressions, and writing a melody using chord tones and non-chord tones. The class will cover concepts in classical, rock, and pop composition. Open to everyone.

Composition Workshop:

Students who have experience composing in any style (classical, rock, pop) can sign up for a 30-minute master class-style workshop with composer Fraser Andras. Open only to intermediate and advanced students, but everyone is welcome to observe.

Songwriting Class:

Singer/songwriter Mandy Sullivan will teach an hour long course in songwriting. She will cover the history of songwriting, different genres and styles of songs, elements of a song, song structure, the creative process of songwriting, and how to craft a song by writing lyrics, melody, rhythm, and harmony. Open to everyone.

Songwriting Workshop:

Students who have experience with singing/songwriting can sign up for a 30-minute master class-style workshop with singer/songwriter Mandy Sullivan. Open only to intermediate and advanced students, but everyone is welcome to observe.

Guitar Ensemble:

Classical composer Michael Stubblefield has written a piece just for this festival! The piece is designed to be performed through Zoom, and the parts are written for different levels. All students who have registered for the Full Festival or the Guitar Ensemble will participate in four ensemble rehearsals and perform the ensemble piece in the final recital. Once all festival participants have registered, the parts will be assigned and emailed to everyone.

Student Performances

Open Mic Night:

Saturday, June 13th, 7:00-8:00 pm EST

Students and faculty are welcome to perform anything they would like to perform, whether on guitar or on a different instrument. Students/faculty are also welcome to perform with a family member. This recital will be live streamed on youtube. You are welcome to share the link.

Final Recital:

Sunday, June 14th, 7:00-8:00 pm EST

Each full festival participant will perform one polished piece. It can be the piece performed in the master class, or it can be a different piece. The Guitar Ensemble will also perform "Kaleidoscope: A Community." This recital will be live streamed on youtube. You are welcome to share the link.

Concerts

Faculty Recital:
Friday, June 12th, 7:00-8:00 pm EST
The guitar festival faculty members will each perform from their home. This recital will be live streamed on youtube. You are welcome to share the link.

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Around the World Concert:
Saturday, June 13th, 2:00-3:00 pm EST
Guitarists from around the world will each perform from their home. This recital will be live streamed on youtube. You are welcome to share the link.

Faculty

Catherine O’Kelly: Festival Director
https://www.catherineokelly.com/

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Fraser Andras: Composition Class and Workshop Instructor

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Christopher Ladd: Intermediate and Advanced Master Class Instructor

https://www.christopherladd.com/

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Sven Rainey: Beginning Master Class Instructor and Suzuki Group Class Instructor

http://www.svenrainey.com/

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Michael Stubblefield: Composer and Conductor for the Commissioned Piece

https://mstubblefield.wixsite.com/composer?

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Mandy Sullivan: Songwriting Class and Workshop Instructor

https://www.mandysmusiclessons.com/

Registration Information

Full Registration

Price: $70 + eventbrite fee
(Full Registration includes registration for the Guitar Ensemble)

Each student will have the opportunity to:
    -Perform in a master class
    -Perform in the Musical Showcase
    -Perform in the Final Recital
    -Participate in the Guitar Ensemble
    -Perform the world premiere of a new composition
    -Attend the composition and songwriting classes
    -Watch all the master classes and workshops
    -Watch all the concerts

Beginning students will also be able to participate in the Suzuki group class.

Intermediate and Advanced students can sign up to participate in the composition workshop or songwriting workshop for an additional fee of $40.

Guitar Ensemble

Price: $25 + eventbrite fee
Participants will have the opportunity to:
    -Participate in the Guitar Ensemble
    -Perform the world premiere of the ensemble piece in the final recital
    -Attend the composition and songwriting classes
    -Watch all the master classes and workshops
    -Watch all the student recitals
    -Watch all the concerts

Intermediate and Advanced students can sign up to participate in the composition workshop or songwriting workshop for an additional fee of $40.

Audit the Festival

Price: $15 + eventbrite fee
Auditors will have the opportunity to:
    -Attend the composition and songwriting classes
    -Watch all the master classes and workshops
    -Watch all the student recitals
    -Watch all the concerts

Click here to register through Eventbrite!

View the Festival Schedule