Appalachian’s annual Guitarfest will be presented April 21-23

By University Communications

Posted April 13, 2017 at 4:33 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Classical guitarists and other musicians from across the U.S. and Europe will perform during the 22nd annual Appalachian Guitarfest April 21-23 at Appalachian State University.

Concerts will feature Corde Cantanti and The Page Brothers April 21 at 8 p.m., Piero Viti and Silviu Ciulei April 22 at 8 p.m. and guitar ensembles April 23 at 11 a.m. The guitar ensembles will consist of students from Appalachian and Guilford College. All festival concerts will be in the Broyhill Music Center of Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music.

Individual tickets for evening concerts and the Division I competition final round are $25 for the general public and $15 for students with an I.D. from Appalachian. Tickets will be available at the door only.

Full package price for festival participants, including all concerts, master classes and workshops, is $75. Additional fees for competitors: $40 for Division I and II, $20 for Divisions III and IV. For more information, visit https://music.appstate.edu/news-events/guitarfest-2017 or email [email protected].

Some festival highlights

Corde Cantanti, which means singing strings, is an ensemble comprised of lutes, guitars, cello, percussion and voice. Its members are guitarist and lutenist Douglas James, vocalist and instrumentalist Hazel Ketchum and cellist Corinne Cassini.

James is a professor of guitar at Appalachian and director of GuitarFest. Ketchum performs solo and song repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day, and resides with her family in Charleston, South Carolina, where they operate the Hungry Monks music school. Cassini teaches the Alexander Technique at the Hayes School of Music and performs regularly with members of the music faculty.

On April 21, Corde Cantanti will perform such pieces as Fernando Sor’s “L’Encouragement” and Antonio Vivaldi’s “Trio per Violino, Liuto, e Basso Continuo, RV 85.”

The Page Brothers are co-led by guitarist Andy Page and bassist Zack Page. Utilizing a rotating line-up of the finest musicians in Western North Carolina, the group keeps a busy performance schedule in the Southeast. On April 21, they will perform such pieces as Art Hickman’s “Rose Room”; Thelonious Monk’s “We’ll See”; and Chick Corea’s “Spain.”

Viti, a native of Naples, has won several prizes at national and international contests. He now pursues a busy career as a soloist and as participant in chamber ensembles, particularly in duos with either flutist Salvatore Lombardi or guitarist Paolo Lambiase. On April 22, Viti will perform music by two Italian masters: Ferdinando Carulli and Niccolò Paganini.

As for Ciulei, a native of Romania, he is a professor of guitar at Furman University. His April 22 program will reflect his mastery of both classical and flamenco fare.

About the Hayes School of Music

The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs.

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, cost-effective education. 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.