Guitarraganza event brings in renowned quartet, workshops and more to MJC, other venuesThe guitar is most famous for its place in rock bands, but its history stretches back centuries.
Guitarraganza, a new festival in Modesto, celebrates the classical guitar in all its forms. The event runs from Tuesday through Sept. 29 and includes concerts, workshops and master classes.
Most events are at Modesto Junior College, with a workshop to be held at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and a concert scheduled at the Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto.
The highlight of the event is a performance by the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on Sept. 28 at the Gallo Center. The group will perform with a guitar orchestra comprised of 30 to 40 top guitar students from MJC, UOP and Stockton's San Joaquin Delta College.
"Anyone that comes to this will come away entertained," said Guy Powell, a guitar instructor at MJC and Columbia College who is helping organize the event.
The quartet and guitar orchestra will perform Japanese composer Shingo Fujii's "Shiki," which is dedicated to the victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The piece is based on Japanese folk songs about the four seasons.
"It's an exciting opportunity to share the stage with talented students who don't usually get the chance to perform a real professional concert," said Los Angeles Guitar Quartet member William Kanengiser in a recent phone interview.
The quartet will perform classical pieces by Igor Stravinsky and Manuel De Falla as well as Celtic works, jazz pieces by Miles Davis and John Coltrane and 400-year-old guitar pieces from the Spanish Renaissance.
David Chapman, a guitar instructor at MJC and organizer of the event, said its a coup for Modesto to book the quartet. "This is pretty much the best guitar quartet in the world."
Concert schedule:
• Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. — Janet Grohovac, MJC Music Recital Hall, 435 College Ave. A native of Victoria, British Columbia in Canada, Grohovac performs the music of Canadian composers. $8 for students and seniors, $10 general.
• Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. — ¡Tritarra!, MJC Music Recital Hall, 435 College Ave. Guitar trio comprised of local college faculty members David Chapman (Modesto Junior College), Travis Silvers (MJC, San Joaquin Delta College, University of the Pacific) and Guy Powell (MJC, Columbia College). $8 for students and seniors and $10 general.
• Thursday, 7:30 p.m. — William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant, MJC Music Recital Hall, 435 College Ave. $8 for students and seniors and $10 general.
• Sept. 28, 8 p.m. — Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Foster Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. $15-$40.
WHAT: Guitarraganza
WHEN: Concerts are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 8 p.m. Sept. 28. Workshops run Tuesday through Sept. 29.
WHERE: Tuesday-Thursday: Modesto Junior College Recital Hall, 435 College Ave. Sept. 28: Foster Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: Tuesday-Thursday: $8 students and seniors and $10 general. Sept. 28: $15-$40
ONLINE: www.guitarraganza.com, www.galloarts.org
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