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• Order Online, see banner on the right of this page. Festival Pass $149.00, no extra fee for competitors. Individual events $20.00 at door. Workshop fee $199.00, masterclass performer fee $50.00.
• Festival and Guest Artist Info
• Celso Machado Workshop Info
• Competition Rules 2012
• Travel and Housing Info
• Festival Schedule 2012
SIERRA NEVADA CLASSICAL GUITAR
FESTIVAL & COMPETITION 2012
Festival: July 11-15, 2012
Location: Squaw Valley Chapel
444 Squaw Peak Drive, Olympic Valley, California
Festival Co-hosts: Samantha Wells and Larry Aynesmith
Devoted to excellence but presented in a laid back spirit of camaraderie, Sierra Nevada Guitar once again sets the stage for a memorable weekend of music in one of the world's most spectacular locations near Lake Tahoe and a chance to meet new musical friends and colleagues from around the world. Plan on booking this event early as it may sell out!
Events take place at the acoustically excellent Squaw Valley Chapel, The Village at Squaw Valley, and more locations to be announced, all within walking distance. The Village at Squaw Valley is the ultimate four-season mountain resort.
Dining, shopping, and other concessions are available within easy walking distance to The Village at Squaw Valley and at nearby Graham's Restaurant.
• Festival Guest Artists:
CELSO MACHADO, MARC TEICHOLZ, CONNIE SHEU, T. SINGH
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MESUT OZGEN, GIACOMO FIORE, SAMANTHA WELLS, MATANYA OPHEE
Featured Guest Artists:
CELSO MACHADO
• Celso Machado is one of the world's most talented and creative musical artists. Knowledgeable about Brazlian traditional music and also a highly respected classical composer, Mr. Machado's concerts include fine guitar playing along with many other unexpected delights. "World solo artist of the year." - Canadian Folk Music Awards
MARC TEICHOLZ
• Marc Teicholz teaches at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is an artist of staggering technical ablility and musicality. He has won top prizes in the most important classical guitar competitions and also holds a J.D. from the Boalt School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. "Arguably the best of the new young guitarists to have emerged." - Gramophone Magazine
CONNIE SHEU
• Connie Sheu received a master's degree from Juilliard and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. In addition to winning competitions such as the Donald Miller Concerto Competition she has researched women composers for guitar. "A gifted guitarist whose energetic, thoughtful, and artistic playing is wonderfully compelling and dynamic." - Sharon Isbin (Juilliard)
THAKUR CHAKRAPANI SINGH
• Thakur Chakrapani Singh is an innovative Kachhapi Veena player (Indian Classical Guitarist) with his own style and belongs to the royal family of India. In India he received the "3rd International Sardar Patel Award 2008."
Plus Antoniy Kakamakov, Samantha Wells, Jon Mendle, Giacomo Fiore, Larry Aynesmith, and more to be announced.
• More events include luthier exhibitors Gil Carnal, Glenn Canin and Kremona Guitars and more, lecture, masterclasses, youth and adult competitions, plus the concurrent Squaw Valley Art, Wine & Classical Guitar Music Festival, July 14-15.
CELSO MACHADO WORKSHOP
Wedneday, July 11 to Thursday, July 12, 2012
Summer Residency with Celso Machado includes group lessons, lectures on Brazilian music, and the opportunity to perform one of Maestro Machado's ensemble compositions. A unique chance to interact with one of the finest composers and creative guitarists of our era. Some students may perform in public at the end of the workshop. Workshop July 11-12 is billed separately from Festival July 12-15. Workshop is for all intermediate and advanced classical guitarists and will be adjusted to the level of each player.
COMPETITION RULES 2012
Adult and Youth Competitions
Antoniy Kakamakov, Competition Director
Larry Aynesmith, Festival Director
The Sierra Nevada Guitar Classical Guitar Competition returns for 2012! Our competitions have included some of the world's finest young performers. Our competitors and prize winners have gone on to become semifinalists, finalists and prize winners in other major competitions.
This year the competition remains open to all except for touring artists represented by major management. Competitions are for classical guitar performers on the six string classical guitar.
Admission to the competition requires purchase of a Festival Pass. To enter, buy a Festival Pass online, and email music@sierraguitar.org to confirm entry and indicate whether you wish to enter the Adult, Youth Division I, or Youth Division II competition. Festival reserves the right to limit the number of competitors. Festival passes may be bought on site but we reserve the right to limit the number of passes sold due to venue and competition space limitations. W-9 form must be filled out prior to payment of competition prizes, foreign competitors are subject to 30% tax withholding.
In each category competitors may perform a free choice program. Competitors will be judged primarily on musicality and technique and in part on stage presence. Competitors will not be penalized for being stopped at the time limit. Within reason, competitors will not be penalized for stopping before the time limit. Judges may stop competitors at any time. Competitors may repeat works in each round or introduce new works in each round. All such strategy is at the discretion of competitors. All decisions of judges are final.
Adult Competition
Judges: Matanya Ophee, Chair, Mesut Ozgen, Connie Sheu.
Three rounds, 15 minute preliminary rounds, 20 minute final round. For ages 19 +. Prizes: $1000, $500, $250, $100
Youth Competition
Judges: Alexander Zawilak, Jon Mendle, Giascomo Fiore.
Division I, two rounds. 8 minute preliminary rounds, 15 minute final round. For ages 15 to 18. Prizes: $300, $200, $100, $50
Youth Competition Division II, two rounds. 8 minute preliminary round, 15 minute final round. For ages up to 14. Prizes: $150, $100, $50
TRAVEL AND HOUSING 2012
• FLIGHTS
Flights should arrive at Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Bus service from the Reno airport to Olympic Valley, California is available from North Lake Tahoe Express, www.northlaketahoeexpress.com.
• If driving take I-80 to CA-89 South, turn right at Squaw Valley Road, continue to your right until you reach the Village at Squaw Valley. Squaw Valley Chapel is located at 444 Squaw Peak Road, Olympic Valley, CA, a 1/4 mile walk from the Village at Squaw Valley parking lot. Overnight parking is not allowed at the Village at Squaw Valley.
• HOUSING
BOOK ROOMS EARLY! BOOK ROOMS NOW!
Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA is one of the most desired summer locations in the world. Many hotels in Squaw Valley are already sold out for July, 2012.
Preferred Lodging Choices:
Red Wolf Lodge at Squaw Valley - Call Red Wolf Lodge for Sierra Nevada Guitar Festival specials. Red Wolf Lodge will have a limited number of very nice studios and one bed rooms both with kitchenettes.
Squaw Valley Lodge - Call Squaw Valley Lodge for Sierra Nevada Guitar Festival specials.
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Area Hotels
The neaby Resort at Squaw Creek, The Village at Squaw Valley and Plumpjack Resort may have rooms available. There are a number of less expensive hotels in Truckee and Tahoe City, California, a short drive away from Squaw Valley such as the Pepper Tree Inn in Tahoe City and The Hampton Inn in Truckee. There are free busses back and forth to Squaw Valley from hotels in Truckee and Tahoe City leaving at 8:30AM and returning 4:30PM. An inexpensive regional bus service called TART runs hourly all day from early morning to about 6:00PM from locations near hotels. If you are returning to hotels in Truckee and Tahoe City later in the evening, you will have to drive or take a taxi.
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House and Condo Rentals, Bed and Breakfasts
Houses and condos are available for rent in Olympic Valley. They are in high demand in summer and must be booked in advance. Check sites like vrbo.com, and regional real estate companies.
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Campgrounds are available near Olympic Valley and spaces are usually sold out far in advance of summertime.
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Various hotels will be available in Reno, about a 45 minute drive to Squaw Valley.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 2012
Sixth International Sierra Nevada Classical Guitar Festival & Competition
www.sierraguitar.org
July 11-15, 2012
Presented by Sierra Nevada Guitar Society
Host site: Squaw Valley Chapel and more locations tba
WORKSHOP: Celso Machado Workshop
Wednesday, July 11
Thursday, July 12
10:00AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-4:00PM
Squaw Valley Chapel
Summer Residency with Celso Machado includes group lessons, lectures on Brazilian music, and the opportunity to perform one of Maestro Machado's ensemble compositions. A unique chance to interact with one of the finest composers and creative guitarists of our era. Some students will be selected to perform publicly at end of workshop. Workshop July 11-12 is billed separately from Festival events and concerts July 12-15.
Schedule of Public Events
All events at Squaw Valley Chapel unless otherwise noted.
Festival Pass for all events in Olympic Valley, $149, no additional fee for competitors. Workshop and Masterclass performer fees are billed separately. Individual events $20 at door. All events are open to the public except preliminary youth competition round.
Thursday, July 12
6:30PM
CONCERT: Opening night gala featuring a potpourri of musical beauty with special guest appearance by MESUT OZGEN plus Samantha Wells, Antoniy Kakamakov, Jon Mendle, Larry Aynesmith and more.
Friday, July 13
9:00AM-3:00PM
Adult and Youth competition preliminary rounds, times and locations to be announced.
1:00PM
MASTERCLASS: With CELSO MACHADO. Four students receive 1/2 hour public lessons from Maestro Machado.
3:00PM
LECTURE/CONCERT: THAKUR CHAKRAPANI SINGH will discuss Indian classical music and his methods for adapting it to a modified Western slide guitar.
6:30PM
CONCERT: CONNIE SHEU
Saturday, July 14
10:00AM
CONCERT/COMPETITION: Adult Competition, Second Round
1:00PM
CONCERT/COMPETITION: Youth Competition Finals
3:00PM
LECTURE/CONCERT
GIACOMO FIORE: Tuning Systems and the Just Intoned Resophonic Guitar
6:30PM
Youth Competition Awards Ceremony
6:45PM
CONCERT: MARC TEICHOLZ
Sunday, July 15
10:00AM
LUTHIER SHOWCASE
11:00AM
CONCERT: JOEL VALIENTE and ALEXANDER STROUD, 1st Prize award winners in Sierra Nevada Guitar Youth Competition Divisions I and II, 2011.
1:00PM
CONCERT/COMPETITION: Adult Competition Finals
Always one of the most interesting and exciting parts of our festival, four adult competitor finalists from around the USA and the world compete for top prizes in the Sierra Nevada Classical Guitar Competition 2012. Each competitor performs for twenty minutes and a panel of judges carefully adjudicates the results. Results are announced at the 1:00PM Awards Ceremony. Many of our previous competition winners have gone on to win top prizes in other competitions and our competition has helped performers gain more publicity and go on to careers in the music world.
3:00PM
MASTERCLASS with MARC TEICHOLZ
6:30PM
Adult Competition Awards Ceremony
6:45PM
CONCERT: CELSO MACHADO
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