WYGF 11-14 August 2009

Next week sees the young-person’s classical guitar event of the year with the World Youth Guitar Festival in Cheltenham. Preparations have been in full swing for the last few months and as Artistic Directors we have been assisting WYGF Director, Helen Sanderson with the last minute preparations before it all starts on Tuesday 11th.

WYGF 2009 is hosted at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities, and also the fabulous Bacon Theatre where the WYGF International Concert Series will take place. We help to kick the performing off on the first night (Tuesday 11 August) with the VIDA Guitar Quartet, but before VIDA there will be Naxos artist Graham Devine. The following evening sees fellow Americans Martha Masters and Brad Richter performing at the Bacon Theatre. Both acclaimed artists don’t come over this side of the pond that often so please book your tickets as this will be an opportunity not to be missed – box office. Full details here …

Friday the 14th sees the WYGF grand final student concert at the Bacon Theatre starting at 13.30. There will be seven (yes you heard correctly!) guitar orchestras, plus the National Youth Guitar Ensemble performing the pieces they have been rehearsing over the previous few days, coached and directed by those artists mentioned above, plus Peter Nuttall, Frank Gerstmeier, Gary Ryan, Mark Ashford, and Helen Sanderson.

Support for WYGF has been incredible this year, and it is a testament to the efforts WYGF is making in encouraging young classical guitarists that many involved in the guitar world have been keen to be partners of this unique event. WYGF supporters include D’Addario, Trinity Guildhall, Junior Guildhall, Kent Guitar Classics, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Intellitouch Tuners, Mel Bay, London Guitar Studio, and Savarez.

For full details about WYGF please visit www.wygf.org