Students, community members, and music-goers alike filled the Snider Music Recital Hall on March 9-10 for the two-day international guitar festival “Guitarraganza.” The event hosted by the Department of Music, including CSU Stanislaus Guitar Studio and the Central Valley Guitar Community, in celebration of Guitar Studies.
“We’re trying to normalize things and get live music back on stage for people to enjoy,” announced Dr. David Chapman, Department Chair and Director of Guitar Studies who took the stage Friday evening for the closing gala concert.
“We’re going to keep on doing this, our music majors are working really hard,” said Dr. Chapman, referencing a post-pandemic flux period and encouraging the audience to tell others after they cheered for the previous night’s flamenco performance.
Dr. Chapman delighted the audience with news to bring more music to CSU Stanislaus and introduced the four finalists of the Guitarraganza festival.
Contestants graced the stage, walking out with their guitars and taking a few seconds to set up and compose themselves before their individual performances began. They tuned their guitars, struck their first chords and suddenly, acoustics filled the recital hall with soft captivating melodies.
“I’ve been playing guitar since I was eleven… It’s a passion I’ve had since I was a kid,” said Stephanie Vershay (Postbaccalauret, Music) student in the Music Credential Program and participant in the Guitarraganza festival.
Vershay described her experience in the Stan State Music Program saying, “It’s been amazing honestly, life changing, I finally found my career and my passion that I want to get into.”
Vershay was one of the four contestants that took part in the festivities and said it took her approximately two weeks to prepare for the competition although much of the music was already in her repertoire.
Dr. Chapman re-emerged on stage following the performances and a brief intermission. He introduced special guest artist renowned classical guitarist Ami Inoi of Osaka, Japan for her first-ever performance in the United States.
“She has a flawless technique on an instrument that is so difficult to master,” said Chapman as he welcomed Inoi to the stage inside the Snider Music Recital Hall.
Inoi’s captivating guitar performance thrilled the audience and left students impressed with her remarkable technique.
“It was so amazing, her technique was awesome. The way she had so much control in her fingers was impressive,” said Jackie Zavala (senior, Music) of Inoi’s performance.
“I feel so honored just to be in the same building as her,” raved Zavala.
Masterclasses, lectures, and concerts filled the two-day event and brought students and community together to enjoy live music at Stan State. The Department of Music also hosted the Stan State Jazz Festival in the Snider Recital following the Guitarraganza, both events in addition to past concerts are available to enjoy on their YouTube Channel.
You can catch live music inside the Snider Music Recital Hall on April 23, for the 23rd Annual Sylvia M. Ghiglieri Piano Competition at Stan State.
Music performance tickets can be purchased online and at the box office inside the Snider Recital Hall in advance, when possible, to expedite seating.
Stan State Faculty and Staff are entitled to one complimentary ticket per event for any non-special event by emailing: [email protected] or at the Snider Recital Hall box office during box office hours. If you have questions about redeeming your complimentary ticket, contact School of the Arts at (209) 667-3958.
