USU Guitar Ensembles in Fall Concert

The Guitar Ensembles at Utah State University plan a fall concert with a program sure to please, according to Mike Christiansen, head of the guitar program in the Department of Music and Caine School of the Arts. Christiansen is joined by his colleague and fellow guitarist Corey Christiansen to direct the concert.

 

Electric and acoustic ensembles are featured in concert Monday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., at USU’s Performance Hall (approximately 1090 E. 675 North, Logan) on the USU campus.

 

Admission is $8 for the public and free for USU students with current ID. Tickets are sold at the Caine School of the Arts Box Office in the Chase Fine Arts Center, Room 138-B, 435-797-8022, or online. Tickets will also be sold at the door the evening of the concert.

 

“Whether you are a guitarist or a guitar enthusiast, there will be something that will please the ear,” Mike Christiansen said.

 

The guitar program and concerts by its ensembles have traditionally received strong support. USU was among the first universities in the country to instigate guitar ensemble performances, Christiansen said.

 

Members of the various ensembles include guitar majors and non-majors alike. The evening’s program includes a variety of styles ranging from Bach to Brazilian.

 

The acoustic ensembles will play traditional Spanish pieces written for guitar, a rhythmically and harmonically interesting Brazilian piece, a Bach composition put to a tango rhythm, a Milonga and a hip-hop piece.

 

One acoustic ensemble has five members, while a second group, affectionately known as “Guitarmageddon,” is larger.

 

The electric ensembles will perform styles ranging from Reggae to swing to be-bop.

 

“The Performance Hall is acoustically and visually the ideal setting for guitar performance,” Christiansen said. “We have always been strongly supported in the community and we anticipate a large turnout at our November concert. Typically, when people have not heard a guitar ensemble perform, they leave saying ‘what a terrific, unique sound.’ After people have attended one concert, they return for more.”

 

 

Writer: Patrick Williams, 435-797-1354