HCC hosts first Guitar Mini-Fest

Hagerstown Community College hosts the first-ever Guitar Mini-Fest on Saturday, April 12, at 9 a.m., in the Kepler Theater.
     
The HCC Guitar Mini-Fest will feature a host of musical workshops by several outstanding musicians including Risa Carlson, Tobias Hurwitz, Candice Mowbray and Michael Raitzyk. Mowbray will host the event and was recently awarded a grant from the Washington County Council for the Arts.
     
Risa Carlson is an international award winner and maintains an active concert schedule as both a soloist, as well as a member of various chamber ensembles across the United States. Carlson is chair of the Guitar Department of the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., and was recently appointed to program manager and adjunct professor for Georgetown University’s new Artist Diploma Programs. More information can be obtained at www.risacarlson.com.
     
Tobias Hurwitz has been avidly playing rock guitar since 1977. During the summers, he works for the National Guitar Workshop and has been widely published in a variety of guitar magazines like Guitar Player, Guitar One, and Guitar. Hurwitz is deeply involved in the Zen Guitar movement, and has authored many books for The National Guitar Workshop and Alfred Publications. More information can be obtained at www.tobiashurwitz.com.
     
Candice Mowbray earned a master’s degree in classical guitar performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia and is currently pursuing a doctorate in musical arts. She performs 50 to 70 recitals, concerts, and private engagements each year and was named one of the “Top 5 People To Watch” by Hagerstown Magazine in 2007. More information can be obtained at www.candicemowbray.com.

Michael Raitzyk has been one of Baltimore’s premier jazz guitarists for the last 20 years. Raitzyk’s style is based on a mix of blues, funk, R&B and Jazz and his CD release Charm City Klezmer was voted “Best of 1999” by Baltimore City Paper. His current project, the Michael Raitzyk Trio, released two CDs in 2000 and 2006. The trio has performed every week at Café Hon since June 2003. More information can be obtained at www.michaelraitzyk.com.
     
The schedule of events is as follows:
     
     8:30-9 a.m. – Participant Check-In
     
     9-9:45 a.m. – Classical Workshop: Risa Carlson leads participants through warm exercises and basic classical/fingerstyle guitar techniques.
     
     10-10:45 a.m. – Rock Workshop: Tobias Hurwitz teaches advanced rock guitar skills including picking techniques, sweep picking, and much more.
     
     11-11:45 a.m. – Jazz Workshop: Michael Raitzyk discusses basic improvisation skills
     associated with jazz and blues performance.
     
     11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Break and vendors fair
     
     12:15-1 p.m. – Featured Performance: The Michael Raitzyk Jazz Trio
     
Participants are encouraged to pack a snack or lunch and to bring their own guitars, pencils, and folding music stands. Availability is limited to 40 participants only.
     
All the artists will have CDs and books available for purchase. Cash or check only.
     
For more information, call: 301-790-2800, ext. 582.