Marc Teicholz rehearsing the Guitar Orchestra

Attended the 2nd GFA Regional Symposium on Nov 4th. The GFA has historically hosted an annual guitar convention every summer at a different location around the US, Canada or Mexico allowing classical guitarists from all over the world the opportunity to attended masterclasses and concerts, performing in an International Competition and generally have guitar fun for a week.

Last year the organization launched a new venture of offering a one day symposium in order for members in local areas to connect more regularly. This is the 2nd held in LA. The first was a great success and this one was even better 🙂 About 100 guitar students and enthusiast’s gathered at the LA High School for the Arts ( which has a fantastic guitar program run by Desiree Fowler ) for the day long event. Students had the opportunity to play adjudicated performances in the morning or attend a flamenco workshop (run by Scott Wolf, a fantastic local classical and flamenco player) or a workshop focusing on using looping in live performance (pretty cool, huh ?). I was lucky enough to adjudicate for the under’s 10’s and 15-18’s…. so great to see all the young guitarists play and some really, really talented players !!

In the early afternoon there was a concert of College Guitar Ensembles….I was very proud to see LMU, LAVC and CSUN guitar students all participating  !!!

Marc Teicholz and the orchestra....how cool to see THAT MANY guitarists on stage 🙂

In the evening the attendees had the opportunity to perform in a Guitar Orchestra led by Marc Teicholz. Also the top performers from the morning’s adjudicated performance’s had the opportunity to play.

All in all a fantastic day.  If you are not familiar with the GFA I urge you to check it out and become a member. I have served on the GFA Board of Trustee’s since 2003 and it is a WONDERFUL organization. It is the worlds leading classical guitar organization and a great network to get tied into as a classical guitarist. There are more regional events  planned over the next year ( San Francisco, New York and more….) If you are in these areas I urge you to get involved 🙂   www.guitarfoundation.org

Martha and I back stage watching Bill Kanengiser conduct the USC guitar ensemble...go Trojans !!