2017-2018 Season

Playing a rare and eclectic repertoire on both classical guitars, Jamie Balmer and Joseph Ricker as Duo Orfeo are emerging as one of the most distinctive voices in the classical music world. Duo Orfeo draws their repertoire largely from hidden and under-explored byways of western musical tradition both past and present—ranging from Renaissance lute and French Baroque harpsichord music to compositions by such modern masters as Arvo Pärt, Federico Mompou and Valentin Silvestrov—an ever-expanding body of music that includes many of their own arrangements of works written for other instruments as well as works written for the ensemble of guitar duo. They play this unique repertoire on classical guitars with an approach inspired by the tradition of Andres Segovia (which they learned from Phillip de Fremery, a guitarist and teacher who studied with Segovia and a true curator of his legacy). Deeply enamored with the sonority of their chosen instruments and relentlessly searching out the music most in harmony with their expressive sensibilities, Duo Orfeo brings to life a world of sound that is intimate, charming, subtle and haunting. Duo Orfeo enjoys a growing performing career and has recently been hosted on concert series at Washington College, Bates College, St. Vincent College, Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Boston,[...]

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Norwalk native, Glenn is a sensational fingerstyle guitarist, his compositions suggest moods and narratives that compel the listener to fill in the details. Glenn Roth is not your typical commuter from Connecticut. Instead of a briefcase, he carries a gig bag. His workspace is the vaulted splendor of Grand Central Terminal or the tunnels and platforms of the New York City subway system. A literal “underground” sensation, Glenn is a licensed performer in the MTA’s “Music under New York” program, playing for the most distracted and demanding audience in the world: legions of workers rushing to jobs throughout the Big Apple. And his fingers work magic, creating a soundscape of compelling melodies that invite them to leave the city rush behind on an aural escape.   Glenn is a fingerstyle guitarist, his thumb riding the bassline and the melody driving all. His compositions suggest multiple guitars, but it’s really just one guy, ten flying fingers, one instrument. All instrumental, Glenn’s songs suggest moods and narratives that compel the listener to fill in the details.  Glenn has released five CDs to date: Innovations (2005), Busker (2006), Into the Unknown (2010), Welcome Home (2016), and a holiday CD. His original compositions have been hailed as “sheer virtuosity” and “delicate, accomplished solo acoustic [...]

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An all-day guitar extravaganza featuring concerts and workshops by extraordinary guitarists:  special instruction by outstanding artist Glenn Roth, fingerstyle guitarist and arranger, luthiers Paul Neri and Nathan Richardson,  workshop leaders Keyla Mejia, Eric Elias, Rich Goldstein and a performance by the Connecticut Guitar Society Ensemble. Guitar Day 2017 is an event sponsored by the Connecticut Guitar Society, the activities are open to the general public and guitar enthusiasts. Join us for a complete day of workshops and a performance by fingerstyle artist Glenn Roth. Guitar Day 2017, Saturday, October 14 beginning at 9:00 AM at Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. Tickets for the full day, are $45, $40 for CGS Members, $20 Students. The Guitar Day ticket includes the evening performance by Glenn Roth.  Please pre-register by calling 860.249.1132 or emailing: info@ctguitar.org. Without doubt, Guitar Day will offer a sensational music experience for the public! The full day of events features master classes, workshops and lectures by some of today’s top performers and featuring instruction by Glenn Roth, as well as an open stage.9:00 AM Registration  9:15 AM-  10:00 AM Classical warm ups with Keyla Mejia 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Blues with Eric Elias11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Jazz with Rich Goldstein 12 PM – [...]

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Rising star Xavier Jara has won numerous awards including first place in the senior division of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Competition, as well as in the youth division of the Indiana International Guitar Competition.  Xavier Jara was born in 1993. He started playing guitar at the age of 12. At 15 he began studying with Alan Johnston at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN. In 2009, Xavier won 1st place in both the Schubert Club and Thursday Musical scholarship competitions. He has played numerous recitals associated with these competitions including a concert for Dr. Paul Wirth’s “Salon se Leve” concert series. In 2011, he won 1st place in the senior division of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Competition, as well as 1st place in the youth division of the Indiana International Guitar Competition. Currently, Xavier studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris in the class of Olivier Chassain. At the same time, he studies privately with Judicael Perroy. Since then, he has won 1st prize in the 2012 Andrés Segovia competition in Velbert, Germany, 1st prize at the Boston Guitarfest, 1st prize at the international guitar competition of Viseu (Portugal), 1st prize at the Sinaia international guitar competition in Romania and also preformed on the american national public radio [...]

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Fingerstyle jazz guitarist, has been described by George Benson as “sensational”. He has played on the Today and Tonight Shows, toured with Michael Bublé and Benny Green.  Randy Napoleon is a guitarist, composer and arranger who toured and recorded with Benny Green, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Michael Bublé before joining The Freddy Cole Quartet in 2007; he arranged most of Cole’s last five albums, including the 2010 Grammy-nominated Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B. Napoleon also has appeared with other jazz luminaries, including Bill Charlap and Houston Person. His latest release as a leader is The Jukebox Crowd. His TV appearances, mainly as a sideman, include shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Lewis and Regis & Kelley as well as on Today and the PBS special Caught in the Act. He also tours with his own bands and is an assistant professor of jazz guitar at Michigan State University.

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Opening the Windsor series is Colorado native Scott who is a Yale grad protégé of Ben Verdery. His playing is “very engaging, virtuosic and spirited” —David Leisner. Scott Sanchez's playing has been described as "Colorful and poignant" (Soundboard Magazine, U.S.A.) and “Very engaging, virtuosic and spirited” (David Leisner, Chair of the classical guitar program at the Manhattan School of Music).  Referring to his British debut Classical Guitar Magazine (Great Britain) said, “Sanchez drew the audience into his playing with his excellent performance… a performance which at times was introspective and at others extrovert.”   Some of the ’s past concert seasons have included recitals and masterclasses for the New York City Classical Guitar Society; New England Guitar Society in Milford, Connecticut; St. Bride’s Church in London, England; Bournemouth University in Dorset, England; King’s Chapel in Boston, Massachusetts; University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky; and Ventura Classical Guitar Society in Camarillo, California. Sanchez's four cds cover a vast repertoire spanning the music of the Baroque era to modern day masterpieces. In a review of his most recent cd, entitled Lattice Work, Classical Guitar Magazine stated: “It must be said that throughout this hour's worth of [...]

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One of a new breed of classical guitarists from the Hartt School, “brings a strong sense of musical depth…and commentary concerning the music” —Richard Provost. Award winning guitarist Francesco Barone has performed throughout the Northeast United States and in Italy as a soloist and chamber musician. He has been presented at guitar festivals and societies. His performances have been broadcasted on National Public Radio. Francesco recently presented, Nikita Koshkin: Three Compositional Styles for Flute and Guitar That are Unique Yet All Intrinsically Russian, a lecture recital that explored the varied styles of Koshkin’s chamber music.   Francesco received a Master of Music from and is a current DMA candidate at The Hartt School where he studies under Professor Emeritus of Guitar, Richard Provost.  At Hartt Francesco was awarded the Graduate Teaching Fellowship in Guitar and performed with the prestigious 20/20 chamber ensemble.  In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Music from Temple University in Guitar Performance.  While at Temple Francesco performed with the Temple University Opera in the award winning production of Verdi’s Falstaff and was a prizewinner in the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Guitar Competition.

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Final concert of the Windsor series, Nick is another up and coming classical guitarist out of the Hartt school, "An Intelligent And Communicative Player With Technical Ease And  Natural Musicality. A Real Delight To Listen."  —Antigoni Goni. Known for being a “communicative player with natural musicality. Mr. Cutroneo has performed extensively throughout the United States and Italy.  As a highly sought after chamber musician, Mr. Cutroneo is currently involved with the New England Guitar Quartet as well as a flute and guitar duo with flutist Melanie Chirignan.  He toured extensively with the violin and guitar duo Tempo del Fuoco and performed regularly with Blackledge Music Inc. and the Northeast New Music Collective.   Devoted to not only the standard repertoire, Mr. Cutroneo has premiered many new works for the classical guitar, and a Guitar Concerto written and dedicated to him by Dan Lis.  Active in the community, Mr. Cutroneo performs regularly at assisted living facilities and public libraries providing an enjoyable and varied musical, as well as, educational experience.  He also provides master classes and clinics to public school music programs.  These classes are meant to further interest in the classical guitar to students who might not otherwise be exposed to the instrument.

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The most eclectic Caribbean musical ensemble touring today; equally versatile in Latin, classical and jazz idioms. This musical family unit (father and sons) brings a unique and unmatched versatility and energy to any concert stage. Jose Gonzalez Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Puerto Rican Cuatro Guitarist, composer and virtuoso Cuatro player, Jose is a top performer of contemporary Latin music. Acclaimed for his original compositions featuring "the Cuatro", (Puerto Rico's national instrument), his eleven self-produced recordings have become bestsellers. His music is featured on televison, as well as four "Putumayo World Music" CDs, the Bose Corp. "World Music"CD and the PBS "Visions of Puerto Rico" TV special. Jose is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico He has performed on stage alongside top Latin artists and musicians. Ahmed Gonzalez  Flutes, Backup vocals, Percussion Ahmed has been a flutist for over 15 years, focusing on Latin-American musical styles, classical music, and American Jazz. A student of Sue Kurian (herself a student of the great French flutist, Jean-Pierre Rampal), Ahmed developed a strong flute foundation in many styles, making him a versatile performer. Ahmed has recorded in numerous records, performs regularly with 6 bands in the Western MA and Hartford, CT area and is currently promoting his solo album, Flute Soul. Rene Gonzalez Drum set, [...]

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Join us for Guitarrathon '18 a great, fun fundraiser! If you'd like to know how you can help, send and email. We're looking for 'Sponsors of the Hour', tech support and donations. Email: tim@timmaynard.com April 21, 2018 10am-10pm The Steam Boiler Room at Hilliard Mills 642 Hilliard St. Manchester, CT 06042 To raise funds for next season's artists, we'll be hosting an all-day concert featuring the friends and members of the Connecticut Guitar Society. All genres will be represented as the diverse membership takes the stage. Performers will be raising pledges; there's a suggested donation of $5 at the door; and we'll be live-streaming the event on Facebook and YouTube where people like you can donate. It's a family friendly event with some of the area's teaching studio's students taking the stage. The schedule: 10 Jaclyn Jones 10:30 Highland Guitar Studio students 11 Benjamin Tint 11:30 tbd 12 tbd 12:30 Nick Cutroneo Guitar Studio students 1 Paul Shumsky 1:30 Nick Cutroneo 2 Randy Spaulding 2:30 CT Guitar Society Ensemble 3-4 Tipsy Gypsies Reunion (David Giardina, Frank Varela, Rich Goldstein) 4-4:45 Eric Elias 4:45-6 The Hartt School Guitar Program students 6 Francesco Barone 6:30 Sven Rainey 7 Tim Maynard 7:30 Keyla Mejía 8 Christopher Ladd 8:30 Judy Handler & Mark Levesque 9:15-10 Sinan Bakir trio  Sponsors-of the-Hour include: Highland Guitar Studio Nick[...]

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"Elegant."  "Riveting." "Soulful." "Classic mastery." These are a few of the terms that have been used to describe the unique and stunning swing-jazz music of acoustic guitarist Guy Van Duser and clarinetist Billy Novick. Together as a duo for more than forty years, they have performed in concerts, clubs and festivals all over North America and Europe. You also may have heard them  as frequent guests of the Prairie Home Companion show.  Their music is based around Guy's innovative finger-style guitar wizardry, and his uncanny ability to play bass lines, chords and melodies all at the same time. With his daring imagination, breathtaking technique, and his wonderful musicality, Guy has become an inspiration for guitarists all over the world. Novick's ever-inventive and soulful clarinet playing provides the ideal complement to Guy's guitar. Novick is able to both add a melodic and dynamic spark to Guy's guitar. Their music deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the classic jazz age. How they swing! The two of them together can create a pulse as driving as any big band.  They have a musical telepathy and understanding that has been honed by more than three decades of playing together.He began studying music at the age of 12 following the legacy of his grandfather Segundo Quintana and his father Dr. Rodrigo Quintana He plays professionally in renowned groups [...]

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