BOONE—The 20th annual Appalachian GuitarFest will be held in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University April 9-12.

New this year is an opening gala concert on Thursday, April 9, in addition to performances April 10-12.

The solo guitar competition includes more than $7,000 in cash prizes to be awarded to young classical guitarists in four age categories. The GuitarFest also will include a variety of masterclasses and seminars.

Registration of $80 grants full access to all concerts and events. Individual feature concerts have a general admission price of $20 each or $10 for Appalachian and Watauga County students. Advance tickets will be available through the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office, or at the door for cash or check purchase only (no credit cards at the door).

Many of the events, including preliminary competition rounds and classes, are open and free to the public.

The festival’s opening concert begins Thursday, April 9, at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall featuring Denis Azabagic from Bosnia.

Azabagic is considered one of the most compelling classical guitarists on the international concert circuit today. He performs concerts around the globe, maintaining a balance between his solo recitals, chamber music with the Cavatina Duo, and engagements as soloist with orchestras.

A music critic for Soundboard Magazine wrote, “Azabagic’s playing is virtually flawless and his technical facility is a joy to see as well as hear; increasingly I hear him mentioned in the same breath as John Williams, and while such comparisons are invidious, this one is not without merit.”

Azabagic will perform “Out of Africa” by Alan Thomas, “Suite Valenciana ” by Vicente Asencio, “Nocturnal after John Dowland, Op. 70” by Benjamin Britten and “Sonata for Solo Violin, BWV 1001” by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Guitarist Stanley Yates, and Corde Cantanti, featuring Hazel Ketchum, Douglas James, and Corinne Cassini, will perform Friday, April 10, at 8 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall.

The Guitarfest’s Guitar Orchestra and soloists Gohar Vardanyan and Matt Palmer will perform Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall.

Additional information is online at http://music.appstate.edu/news-events/guitarfest.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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