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Wofford welcomes musicians to campus for Troubadour Series

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All programs free, open to the public
 
SPARTANBURG, SC - Wofford College will present three classical guitar performances this month in the Troubadour Series. All programs will be held beginning at 7 p.m. in Leonard Auditorium in Main Building.
 
Classical guitarist Zane Forshee
Thursday, Oct. 4
Fingerstyle Guitar magazine describes Zane Forshee as "one of his generation's finest guitarists." Active both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles, Forshee has performed in recent concert engagements across North America, Europe and Asia, where his live performances have been noted for possessing "a beautiful ever-flow that held the audience captivated" (Retriever Weekly). Forshee has been featured at the Palacete de Amezúa (Madrid), the Joseph Joachim Konzertsaal (Berlin), the New York City Classical Guitar Society and the Chimei Museum (Taiwan). He has given collaborative performances with Opus 1 Contemporary Dance Company as well as solo and chamber recitals for the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, the Omaha Guitar Guild and the Endless Mountain Music Festival.

His debut recording, "Initial," has been praised for its "superb musical and technical skill" (Minor7th. com). Classical Guitar magazine states, "Forshee immediately establishes his credentials as an excellent player, with clarity, precision and an abundance of fine technique."

Forshee, winner of the first prize in the National Guitar Workshop International Solo Guitar Competition, top prize in the Montpelier Artist Recital Competition, and the first prize in the Baltimore Music Club String Competition, recently was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Spain in support of his current recording project of contemporary Spanish works for solo guitar. In addition, he has been the recipient of two Peabody Institute Career Development Grants.

He holds a doctor of musical arts degree, master of music degree and graduate performance diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University. He is on the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory, the Peabody Preparatory, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Performing Arts Institute Summer Music Festival in Pennsylvania.

Presti Guitar Trio
Friday, Oct. 12
An evening with the classical guitar featuring Presti, an all-women classical guitar trio. Each artist, Olga Amelkina-Vera, Valerie Hartzell and Lynn McGrath, is internationally acclaimed as both recording and touring artists. Presti promises an electrifying evening in an intimate setting with works by Bach, Turina and Amelkina-Vera. Fred Hellwitz, president of the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York says, "Brava, Brava, Brava! One for each of you. You gave a beautiful performance and a spot-on master class."

Presti is the first professional all-female guitar trio in the United States. The ensemble's name pays homage to the legendary Ida Presti, considered by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century. In 2010, after crossing paths at several festivals in the United States, Presti's members, each with her own successful performing career, decided to join forces. Learn more by visiting prestiguitar.com.

Classical guitarist Stanley Alexandrowicz
Monday, Oct. 29
Classical guitarist Stanley Alexandrowicz is becoming internationally renowned for his virtuosic musicality, insightful interpretations and refined guitarism. In addition to his command of the instrument's standard repertoire, he has premiered and commissioned more than 100 works by composers from Europe, Asia, North America, Cuba and South America.

A native of New Jersey, he began his musical studies at the age of 8 and soon was receiving both awards and accolades. He next entered the Manhattan School of Music, where the influence of his mentor, Manuel Barrueco, profoundly influenced his musical outlook. He was awarded the doctor of musical arts degree in 1994.

An Albany Records recording artist, Alexandrowicz's recording of Dominick "Argento's Postcard from Morocco" with the Curtis Opera recently was released (ALBANY TR1098-99). Forthcoming is a new CD of 20th and 21st century American guitar works (Ernst Bacon, Brian Fennelly, Kendall Kennison, Eric Sessler, Edward Green and Carlton Wilkinson). Alexandrowicz has been honored with the Ernst Bacon Society's recording grant to commit to CD the premiere performances of the composer's works for guitar. A scholar and specialist in the field of 19th century music, Alexandrowicz often features the virtuoso romantic guitar repertoire in his concert programs, both in conjunction with the "music of our time" and in recitals devoted to the romantic art.

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