(a more detailed
description of each program is available upon request)
The members of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet are committed educators as well as performers, and as a group, the MGQ offers a variety of educational & outreach programs designed to appeal to audiences of all ages and experience levels. The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet recognizes that for the concert presenter it can be vitally important to reach more than just the concert audience. With dedication and enthusiasm, the MGQ will help presenters bring the excitement of live performance beyond the concert hall to the community at large. They have presented their outreach programs countless times at schools, libraries, and retirement communities.
Guitar Talk for ages 5-12
Grade level: K-6
Time Allotment: 50 minutes
Overall Theme: The interaction between musical performers in an ensemble
is similar to the interaction between people in daily life.
Goal: Students will 1) hear a musical imitation as similar melodies
are played by performers in succession, 2) count entrances of a fugue subject,
3) gain more awareness of the interplay between different musical motives,
4) consider sudden contrast as an element of musical humor.
Guitar Talk for ages 13-adult
Grade level: 7 – adult
Time Allotment: 50 minutes
Overall Theme: This Guitar Talk program is similar in structure and
theme to the K-6 Guitar Talk, but features more advanced music and analysis.
Guitar Ensemble/Orchestra
Grade level: all ages
Time Allotment: two hours rehearsal followed by performance
Overall Theme: Playing in a guitar ensemble is fun! An ensemble can
be anything from 2 to 100.
Goal: Guitar players of all styles and levels from the community will
come together for the rehearsal and performance of one or more pieces of music
for guitar ensemble.
Masterclass/Coaching Session
Grade level: all ages
Time Allotment: 30 minutes per player or ensemble
Overall Theme: These classes are essentially private lessons done in
public. The performers experience the benefits of both private instruction
and performing in public. This program is a great opportunity for solo guitarists,
guitar ensembles and non-guitar ensembles.
Goal: Each performer or group of performers will play for the MGQ and
a public audience. The members of the MGQ will then offer specific advice
about how the performer(s) might be able to improve their performance. Such
advice may include tips on 1) achieving more technical proficiency, 2) developing
increased musical understanding of the music at hand, 3) more effectively
projecting ones musical ideas to bring about a more successful and expressive
performance, 4) improving communication within an ensemble.