14th Annual Radford University International Guitar Festival

International guitarists, among whom play a six-single-stringed guitar and instruments with names such as Theorbo and Baroque Lute, grace the 14th Annual Radford University International Guitar Festival April 10-12 at the Performance Hall in the Covington Center.

This festival’s line up of performers includes Enrique Muñoz (Spain) with his modern six-single-stringed guitar of Spanish and Italian origin, Martha Masters (USA), Richard Stone (USA) with his Theorbo and Baroque Lute, Marco Battaglia (Italy) with his original 19th century Fabbricatore guitar, Boris Diaz (Cuba/Mexico) and RU Alumnus Kareem McCullough.

“Each performer was selected for the diversity of programming, specific expertise, and unique approach to performing they bring to our festival year, “said Robert Trent, RU music professor and festival director.

This year’s festival features the first time guitarists from Spain and Cuba have played the venue. Muñoz is a Spaniard and brings a Spanish repertoire to his concert. Diaz is a Cuban guitarist, whose program will highlight music of Latin America.

“Martha Masters continues our tradition of bringing the best women guitarists to the campus; but also, a fabulous performer and teacher regardless of gender,” said Trent.

The Youth/Community Guitar Orchestra performance with the RU Honor’s Guitar Quartet is another festival tradition. This concert is 11 a.m. April 11. The orchestra encompasses very young Suzuki students ranging from age six to 18, and adults from the community. Their only group rehearsal is an hour before the performance and takes place in front of the public.

The audience can also gain a deeper understanding the practice and presentation of live classical music by attending masterclasses with Stone, Muñoz, Masters, Battaglia and Diaz. Presented onstage, masterclasses feature RU students who have previously auditioned for the privilege to learn guitar techniques from festival performers.

Two lectures are included with these masterclasses. Opening the festival is Battaglia’s lecture on 19th century performance practice. This begins at 4 p.m. April 10. Stone presents a talk on Baroque performance practice at 5 p.m. April 11.

New this year is a question and answer forum on careers for classical guitarists at 10 p.m. April 10. RU guitar faculty, arts administrator and alumnus, Ryan Book, host this.

All events are free to the public. Concerts start April 10 at 8 p.m. with Muñoz. To view the schedule and event information, please visit www.radford.edu/guitarfest. For more information, call the RU Department of Music at (540) 831-5177.