The T.U.S.D. Guitar Festival has once again been hosted here at Sahuaro by guitar director Mr. Hemmo. This year, Sahuaro hosted 11 schools from all over TUSD. Professional guitarists such as Professor Tom Patterson, Professor Jose Louise Puerta, Dr. Steven Lerman, and Olga Amelkina-Vera hosted technique workshops and coaching classes for each ensemble and soloist.
Since this is our 3rd year hosting, 3rd time returner Mr. Nickles comments, “I think this year’s Guitar Festival demonstrates the pure versatility, creativity, and flexibility that TUSD and around, obviously, Arizona, that these students come prepared to indulge and give us this brilliant display of this diaspora of colors and cultures, and creativity. I’m very, very honored to be a part of it.”
The schedule for the day was as follows:
8:45-9:00 AM – Registration
9:00-9:15 AM – Opening Remarks from Mr. Hemmo
The TUSD Solo Classical Guitar Competition was held from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM in the lower library
9:20-10:00 AM – Technique Workshop with different professional guitarists
10:10-11:45 AM – Ensemble and Soloist coaching from different professional guitarists
11:45 AM-12:30 PM- Lunch (Domino’s pizza was catered)
12:30-1:15 PM – Mini concert
1:20-2:20 PM – All participants take the stage for Spring in Tucson Rehearsal in the Auditorium
2:20-4:45 PM – Individual and Ensemble rehearsals in the Auditorium
4:45 PM – Call time for the main concert
5:25 PM – Doors opened
6:00 PM – The 3rd TUSD Guitar Festival Concert commences!
As for the concert program, Sahuaro’s Music 100 class took the stage first, then Gridley Middle School Guitar Orchestra, with Casa Grande Union High School following them. Catalina High School was next, and Academy of Tucson High School after them, and to finish out the other schools, Amphi High School closed them out.
Last but not least, Sahuaro’s advanced guitar class played 2 pieces. At the end of all the school performances, the top 3 winners of the TUSD Solo Classical Guitar Competition were announced! 1st place won a guitar and accessories worth $1000, 2nd place was awarded a guitar and accessories worth $400, and lastly, 3rd place got a guitar and accessories worth $300.
For 1st place, we have junior Sawyer Goitia from Sahuaro High School; for 2nd place, we have senior Daniel Way from Sahuaro High School; and for 3rd place, our winner was from the Academy of Tucson High School.
After the awarding of the winners, all participants in the TUSD guitar festival were called on stage to perform Spring in Tucson by Laurent Meneret. This is the first time this piece has ever been publicly performed. Leila Soto, a student from Gridley Guitar-Orchestra, comments that her favorite part was “probably performing the pieces at the end.”
The TUSD guitar festival is a great way to bring together a huge, diverse group of individuals who all have a common interest: playing guitar. This common interest transcends language and can connect people of all ages, genders, and cultures!
