Featured Artists: Georgia Guitar Quartet
The Georgia Guitar Quartet has emerged as an exciting new voice in today's chamber music scene. These four young men from the American South deliver a high-energy blend of breathtaking virtuosity and imaginative programming while taking an adventurous approach to classical music. Borrowing from both the past and present, the GGQ draws inspiration from the ever-evolving palette of music that has influenced them: classical masters such as Bach and Brahms, experimentalists in the vein of Cage, Bartók, and Stockhausen, and contemporary rock icons like Radiohead and Led Zeppelin. Audiences at a GGQ concert experience an exciting musical journey through an expansive array of genres, continents, and time periods. Rousing Irish folk music and late Impressionistic masterpieces share the stage, while the sublime beauty of Chopin rubs shoulders with groundbreaking contemporary works. Accomplished composers themselves, the Quartet members frequently incorporate their own unique works into their dynamic concert programs. The incredible range and interactive spontaneity of a performance by the GGQ continually leaves audiences with something to remember, resulting in a thrilling new way to experience chamber music in the 21st century.
Formed in 1996 and hailing from Athens, Georgia, the Quartet performs throughout the nation in venues ranging from concert halls to popular music clubs. Recent concert highlights include performances in New York, Los Angeles, and an appearance at the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah where they performed Rodrigo's "Concerto Andaluz" with the Utah Symphony Orchestra. The GGQ has been featured on American Public Media's "Performance Today" and has released four critically acclaimed recordings, the most recent consisting exclusively of music composed by the Quartet. In addition to receiving praise for its members' original compositions and inventive arrangements of preexisting works, the Georgia Guitar Quartet has also been recognized for its novel interpretation of guitar quartet staples. Several notable composers have dedicated new works to the GGQ, including Russian composer Nikita Koshkin. The group has collaborated with modern dance groups and visual artists to produce multimedia performances and has recently embarked on a new collaboration with lyric baritone Robert Sims. In 2001, the Quartet was invited by Christopher Parkening to perform as the guest artists at his twenty-seventh annual Masterclass in Bozeman, Montana. A review of their Piccolo Spoleto Festival performance in Charleston, South Carolina, described the concert as "a dazzling display of technical prowess, versatile programming, and audience rapport." The town of Athens, which boasts a rich musical heritage, has honored the ensemble by awarding them "Best Classical Artist" in Athens five years in a row at the Athens Flagpole Music Awards. All four members being highly experienced instructors, the Quartet frequently gives masterclasses and workshops and recently has instituted a Classical and Commercial Guitar Camp to occur every summer in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.
Georgia Guitar Quartet Website
John Sutherland (masterclass)
Guitarist John Sutherland was described in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as the "Dean of Guitarists." He studied with Andres Segovia, Christopher Parkening, John Marlow, Jose Tomas, and Evangelos Assimakopoulous. Since starting the guitar program at UGA in 1971, Mr. Sutherland has been responsible for initiating numerous guitar programs in the state, including those at Georgia State University, Dekalb College, and Columbus College. Mr. Sutherland has taught with Christopher Parkening in master classes at Montana State University since 1978. Mr. Parkening calls Mr. Sutherland "one of the finest teachers in the United States."
Luther Enloe (solo recital and masterclass)
A native of Great Falls, Montana, Luther Enloe began his musical studies on the trumpet at the age of seven. At the age of 20 he moved to Athens, Georgia, to study the guitar at the University of Georgia with John Sutherland. He has subsequently received a BM and an MM, graduating with distinction, under Mr. Sutherland’s tutelage. As a response to his outstanding academic achievement, Luther Enloe was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society. Continuing his studies at UGA, he is presently pursuing a DMA in music performance with a minor in musicology. Further guitar studies include eight master classes with Christopher Parkening, as well as classes with Jason Vieaux, John Duarte, Simone Fontanelli, and Patrick Kearny. Additionally, he has studied chamber music with Milton Masciadri and Michael Heald. As a soloist, Luther Enloe has distinguished himself by winning awards in the Georgia Music Educators Association Competitions including the Award of Excellence in 1996 and 1998. Additionally, Mr. Enloe was a chosen recitalist at the 1998 Christopher Parkening master class at Montana State University. Concurrent with his academic studies, Enloe maintains an active performance schedule and has appeared as a guitar soloist with many ensembles including The Montana State University Chorale, The Dekalb Choral Guild, and Peachtree Symphonic Winds. Luther Enloe has served on the faculty of Berry College in Rome, Georgia since 2007. At Berry he maintains a thriving guitar studio in addition to teaching courses in music. He and his wife Victoria live in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Luther Enloe Website
Esteban G. Anastasio (Seminar: Techniques in Modal Improvisation)
Esteban Anastasio has made a name for himself as a classical guitarist and a pedagogue. With an eclectic musical background Esteban has created a unique voice as a classical musician and solo artist. He is a highly sought after flamenco and fusion guitarist in the Atlanta area. He has studied with a wide range of guitarists including Ernesto Bitetti, Ede Wright, and Rusty Cooley. Esteban is also the owner of the Apollo Conservatory and runs the only Childbloom Guitar Program in the state of Georgia. Esteban Anastasio Website William Hearn guitar lecture:
The Young Harris College Fine Arts Department will host the 2009 North Georgia Guitar Summit. The two day event will take place on the 13th and 14th of November and will cater to a variety of high school and college-level music programs. Scheduled events include a lecture-recital on the ancestors of the guitar; including the lute, theorbo, and renaissance guitar, a recital by the popular Georgia Guitar Quartet, and a masterclass by world renowned UGA guitar instructor John Sutherland – a student of Andres Segovia.
More specific times and places will be posted soon. Keep checking back with us. If you have any questions feel free to message me.
Friday November 13th
11:00 – Dr. Kurt Martinez, Masterclass
2:00 - Dr. William Hearn, Lecture Recital on the ancestors of the guitar
4:00 – Mr. Esteban Anastasio, Seminar (Developing Speed)
7:00 – Recital, Luther Enloe/Kurt Martinez
Saturday November 14th
11:00 – Mr. Luther Enloe, Seminar (The Etudes of Leo Brouwer)
2:00 – Mr. John Sutherland, Masterclass
7:00 – Recital, The Georgia Guitar Quartet
All events are free and open to the public. The Recitals will be in the Susan B. Harris Chapel on the YHC campus.
Links:
Richard Knepp Myspace Young Harris Campus Map
Georgia Guitar Quartet
The summit was terrific this year. What an amazing job Richard has done with this program at Young Harris. It was just great. I especially enjoyed hooking up with my old friends again. Thanks!!! Doug
We are going to be playing @ the Holly Theater in Dahlonega Ga. for the PAWS Humane Society Battle Of the Bands. We could use your help to win this so Please come out and join us. April 9th 9pm Hope to see you there!
