Hello, fellow Guitar Apes, and Happy Spring Break to you all – it looks as though we’ve survived another Manitoba winter. Kudos on making it through!
The month of March always gives me cause to brag about things, particularly on matters concerning my students – this March is no exception. Dexx had a particularly-auspicious month, adding to his haul of shiny things the 2025 Ted Good Music guitar trophy and the McDonald’s Restaurants Guitar Scholarship for his performance at the Brandon Festival of the Arts. He also claimed the Rolling River Festival Classical Guitar Medal:
Meanwhile, Matthew had a good showing of his own, walking away with the Pattison Media, Q Country 91.5FM and 94.7 Star Preliminary Guitar Scholarship:
For its part, the Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory Guitar Ensemble (Matthew, Dexx, Lucas, and Marc) was awarded the Faders Music Classical Guitar Ensemble scholarship:
Nice work, you four!
March also found me adjudicating for the 2025 Winnipeg Music Festival, an event that always presents high-quality young talent. This was my third time working for the WMF, and it was as exciting as ever – it’s good to be reminded of the superlative level of playing and teaching in that city. It was a pleasure collaborating with my fellow instrumental adjudicators Michael van der Sloot, Madeline Hildebrand, and Nancy Nowosad – I look forward to our paths crossing again in the near future. My deepest thanks to the administrative powerhouses at WMF (Joanne, Dawn, and Ainslie) – you make what we do possible, viable, and successful. Thank-you for once again placing your trust in my work. Congratulations to all performers, especially the trophy and scholarship winners.
Stay tuned for more updates from Ye Olde Guitare Shacke, including another adjudication trip later in the summer. Ciao for now, my fellow apes!
Pavel