Classical Guitar Immersion June 17th-24th, 2016

Posted on July 30, 2015 by

Classical Guitar Immersion – Performance Development

June 17th-24th, 2016
CGI is an immersion experience where 7 guitarists join me for a week of performance preparation on the historic Columbia River Gorge at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon.

Gorge
In this close and intimate setting students get personal attention through daily masterclasses, ensemble rehearsals and performance workshops where technique, practice concepts and
performance skills including the tools to help eliminate the effects of performance anxiety are explored. In addition to the scheduled workshops friendships are developed through informal discussions on guitar around the dining table, morning coffee in CGI’s large private kitchen, on walks around the beautiful grounds or at the outdoor fireplace that overlooks the historic Columbia River Gorge.

IMG_1314But CGI is more than a week workshop but rather the culmination of months of direction to help in your preparation. Every two weeks, beginning in October 2015 you’ll be sent new practice directives to apply to your pieces. I’ll request a video of one of those works every two weeks to help monitor your progress. Occasionally we’ll all meet on SKYPE and of course we’ll be communicating via my forum.

By rotating through a series of practice directives you’ll be better prepared for the week where you’re playing will peak as we work on performance preparation.

Our preparation Schedule looks like this:

  • Solo and Ensemble Repertoire chosen (September)
  • Tone and Range of Motion (October-November)
  • Technical Practice Directives (December-January)
  • Musical Practice Directives (February-March)
  • Memory Practice Directives (April-May)
  • Performance Practice Directives (June)

The June 19th-24th schedule includes two master classes, ensemble rehearsal and performance classTamiecaMC per day as well as open time for practice and even exercise time. Review the video of your lesson, practice and take a walk around the trails, shoot some hoops, play tennis or swim in the pool overlooking the gorge.

Three meals are provided each day in Wright Dining Hall. Special diets are available upon request.

All classes take place in Creevey Hall, a large teaching room attached to a large kitchen where personal food items can be stored.

Each participant will have a private room and bathroom with shower.

Repertoire
All levels are accepted at CGI. The only requirement is that each student must be prepared to play 3 IMAG0040
works of any difficulty from memory and the required ensemble piece from score. We will perform our final concert on Thursday, June 24th in our own Creevey Hall. Guests from the community and Menucha Retreat Participants will be invited.

In addition we will be working on ensemble music, some of which will be part of our final concert.

CGI Hand Stretches and Body Movement
In an effort to combat muscle and mental fatigue I’ll be teaching you hand and arm stretches. We’ll also learn a series of short functional movements that will not only help revitalize the back and shoulders but also reset the negative affects of sitting.

IMG_2753Friday, June 17th
1:00-3:00 Portland Airport Arrivals and Pick-ups
4:00-5:00 Check-in
5:00-5:30 Orientation
5:30-7:00 Scott Kritzer in Concert
7:00-8:00 Dinner

Saturday, June 18th
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Master Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-5:30 Master Class
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:00-8:30 Performance Workshop

Sunday, June 19th
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Master Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-5:30 Master Class
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:00-8:30 Performance Workshop

Monday, June 20th
8:00-9:00 BreakfastIMG_1312
9:30-11:30 Master Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-5:30 Master Class
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:00-8:30 Performance Workshop

Tuesday, June 21st
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Master Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-5:30 Master Class
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:00-8:30 Performance Workshop

IMG_2211Wednesday, June 22nd
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Master Class
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-5:30 Master Class
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:30 Performance Workshop
8:30-10:00 Outdoor Fireplace Gathering

Thursday, June 23rd
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Ensemble Rehearsal & Performance Staging
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-4:30 Ensemble Rehearsal
4:30-5:45 Open
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:30-9:00 CGI Public Performance

Friday, June 24th
7:30-8:00 Check-out
8:00-9:00 Breakfast

Schedule subject to change

Housing and Meals
Each participant will have a private room and bathroom/shower and a shared small living room area.
In addition we have private access to a large kitchen complete with microwave, coffee machine and IMG_1260refrigerator. Participants can bring snacks and drinks and store them in Creevey which is locked each night. We will meet in Wright Hall each day for meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are covered each day except from Friday, June 17th (dinner only), through Friday, June 24th breakfast.

Alternate diets can be accommodated at an additional cost of $39.00 (payable to me). An extensive list of options are available. For more information, and to request an alternate diet, go to http://menucha.org/dining/alternatediet. (Deadline is May 6, 2016).

Fees & Deadlines

  • CGI ’16 – $1995.00 and includes all housing, meals and classes.
  • A non-refundable deposit of $425.00 secures a spot. Registration to past participants opens July 6th, 2015.
  • Open Registration begins August 1st, 2016 (earlier deposits will be taken for open registration and any spots that open on that date will be given on a first-come-first-served basis).
  • Final Fee for CGI Due: March 4th,, 2016
  • Repertoire List Due April 10th
  • Ensemble Piece to be Sent September 30th, 2015
  • Alternate Dietary Requests Due: May 16th
  • Travel Itineraries Due: June 1st

General Info
Menucha is a great place for doing some simple hiking. The hiking trails are relatively flat but you can find some hills. There are tennis and basketball courts as well as an outdoor (unheated) swimming pool.

The weather can be a little rainy, usually some nice weather but of course dress in layers. Bug repellant is not a bad idea for our annual outdoor fireplace night.

There are no phones or TVs in the rooms and wifi is rather slow but available.

Getting to Menucha
IMG_0617I want everyone to arrive no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, June 17th. We will form a carpool made of up local students who can pick-up and drop off those flying into Portland International Airport.

Students should plan on staying through Friday breakfast, June 24th.

 

Please send me the following to help coordinate your arrival:

  • Projected arrival time (local or remote students)
  • Cell phone number
  • Air travelers should also send your itinerary including arrival and departure times and flight numbers. (I’ll coordinate pick-ups and get everyone in contact with each other the week before)

Menucha Retreat and Conference Center
38711 East Historic Columbia River Hwy
Corbett, OR 97019-0008
Phone: 503-695-2243 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm PST, weekdays)

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Scott Kritzer’s December 2014 Calendar

Posted on November 28, 2014 by

I’ve got another month of active touring with performances in Oregon and Washington including a rare Portland appearance. Please find a list of performances, program and ticket information below. Copy the link in your browser and forward to your friends who live nearby!

Eugene Radio
Tuesday, December 2nd and Wednesday December 3rd

Tuesday, December 2nd – Performing Live on FM KLCC 89.7 The ‘Q’ with Eric Alan @ 2:30 PDT

Wednesday, December 3rd – Appearing on NewsTalk AM 590 KUGN with Storm Kennedy @ in the 8:00 am hour PDT

Friday, December 5th, 7:30 pm
Works from Ballet, the Baroque and Opera

Raven Frame Works
325 W 4th Av – Eugene, OR

I’ll be performing works by Bach, Villa-Lobos, Albeniz, Default, Weiss, Puccini and Schubert. For tickets call 541-342-3067.

Saturday, December 6th, 7:30 pm
Holiday Music for Classical Guitar

Emmaus Lutheran Church
1250 18th Ave – Eugene, OR

I’ll be performing works from my Classical Guitar Christmas CD – listen HERE. For tickets call 541-953-9204.

Monday December 8th, 7:30 pm
Chamber Music Amici – Mozart to Boccherini

Wildish Community Theater
630 Main St – Springfield, OR

I’ll be performing the popular Quintet in D Major including the famous Fandango complete with rasqueados and castanets! For tickets call 541-953-9204. For more information go to this LINK.

Sunday, December 14th, 2:00 pm
Holiday Music for Classical Guitar

Inn at Harbor Village
115 Lake St SE – Ilwaco, WA

I’ll be performing works from my Classical Guitar Christmas CD – listen HERE. To purchase tickets go to TICKETS. For more information go to this LINK. Please note, Portland fans are staying at the Shelburne Inn.

Friday, December 19th 8:00 pm
Scott Kritzer 50 Yr Retrospective Benefit Concert

Community Music Center
3350 SE Francis- Portland, OR

In this retrospective concert celebrating my 50 years of guitar playing I’ll be performing works by Puccini, de Falla, Bach, Weiss and from my Classical Guitar Christmas CD. The concert will benefit the Portland Guitar Society’s Advani Fund. The Society established this fund to help serious students who have financial need to pursue their guitar studies. For tickets go to Eventbrite. For more information go to this LINK.

Arrive early and beginning at 7:45 you’ll be introduced to my student, the very talented 14 year old Michael Hermes, who will preview part of his upcoming Portland premiere slated for the spring of 2015.

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50 Year Retrospective Concert – Benefit for the PGS’s Advani Fund

Posted on November 23, 2014 by

From performing in London, New York, Frankfurt, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, classical guitarist Scott Kritzer celebrates fifty years of playing the guitar with a rare Portland appearance in a retrospective concert to benefit the Portland Guitar Society’s Advani Fund on Friday, December 19th, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Community Music Center located at 3350 SE Francis in Portland, Oregon.

20141011-_MG_3136Advanced tickets are $15, available at https://scottkritzerconcert.eventbrite.com.  Tickets will also be available at the door for $20. All tickets are for general admission.

After making his own instrument from a cigar box, a piece of pine and rubber bands, his parents FirstGuitardecided a guitar would be a good Christmas gift. That was in 1964. “The instrument has never really left my hands,” he says. Over the decades following, Kritzer has established himself as one of America’s top classical guitarists with a lineage to the great Andres Segovia. One of Kritzer’s main teachers was a favorite Segovia protege Michael Lorimer. “I am so fortunate to have worked with so many great teachers, especially with Michael. In fact, after a thirty-year hiatus I began working with him again prior to making my recording Romance for Guitar. I also feel fortunate to have been able to sustain a career playing the guitar, and I thought it appropriate to give back to the guitar community.”

ScottKritzer’s December 19th concert will benefit the Portland Guitar Society’s Advani Fund. The late Gulu Advani was a former student of Mr. Kritzer’s and an active member of the Portland Guitar Society. The PGS established the fund in his memory in 1991 with the intent to help serious students of the guitar who have financial need to pursue their studies. Funds are available for lessons, master classes, sheet music or other expenses clearly related to guitar study.

Opening the program will be works featured on his upcoming all-baroque recording; three Scott Kritzer, Guitaristmovements from a Sonata by baroque lutenist Silvius Leopold Weiss. He will close the program with a set of works that opened his senior recital at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1980 from Manuel de Falla’s ballet The Three Cornered Hat. Also on the December 19th program are works reflecting Kritzer’s interest in working with vocalists, something he’s done nearly all his career.  In between other works by Albeniz and Villa-Lobos, he will be performing his popular arrangement of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma and a premiere of his new arrangement Der Leiermann by Franz Schubert. Kritzer will also play a few Christmas carols from his  A Classical Guitar Christmas CD.

Advanced tickets are $15, available at https://scottkritzerconcert.eventbrite.com.  Tickets will also be available at the door for $20. All tickets are for general admission.

Arrive early and beginning at 7:45 you’ll be introduced to my student, the very talented 14 year old Michael Hermes, who will preview part of his upcoming Portland premiere slated for the spring of 2015.

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Scott Kritzer Arrangements for Classical Guitar – Audio and Musical Samples

Posted on November 21, 2014 by

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God Rest Ye – Audio Sample

Purchase at Store

 

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Christmas Youth – Audio Sample

Purchase at Store

 

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It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Audio Sample 

Purchase at Store

 

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We Three Kings of Orient Are – Audio Sample 

Purchase at Store

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Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Audio Sample

Purchase at Store

 

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Silent Night – Audio Sample 

Purchase at Store

 

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Joy to the World – Audio Sample

Purchase at Store

 

 

Der Leiermann Musical Sample (audio not available at this time).

Der

 

Purchase at Store

 

 

 

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Nessun Dorma – Audio Sample

To purchase these arrangement go to my Store.

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Christmas Concert for the Water Music Festival – Long Beach, WA – December 14th

Posted on November 21, 2014 by

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

SUNDAY • DECEMBER 14, 2014 • 2-4 • INN AT HARBOUR VILLAGE {Map} • $5 suggested donation at the door
Classical Guitar ChristmasWelcome the holiday season by treating yourself to an exquisite afternoon of music!  I’m back for my 6th appearance with the Water Music Festival in a 20141011-_MG_3072 copyprogram of Christmas Carols and works by Bach, Weiss and Albeniz.  And the award-winning Ilwaco High School show choir will entertain you to start off your festive afternoon.  The Inn at Harbour Village will be the venue and will be decorated beautifully for the holidays.  Enjoy hot and cold beverages and a lovely array of homemade cookies and other sweet treats!  Just $5 suggested donation at the door!  A portion  of the proceeds will help fund educational workshop and performance  opportunities for our local school music programs.
Out of town concert-goers might like to stay at my favorite place the Shelburne Inn located on the Long Beach Peninsula – great dining and wonderful rooms! For reservations call 360-642-2442. Join me for a post concert get together at the Shelburne!
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Performance with Chamber Music Amici – Quintet No 4 in D major by Luigi Boccherini

Posted on November 20, 2014 by

With it’s final movement (the Fandango) Luigi Boccherini’s Quintet No 4 for string quartet and guitar builds wonderfully, movement to movement, to this crowning finale, complete with rasqueado’s and castanets!

On Monday, December 8th I’ll be performing the Quintet with Eugene’s Chamber Music Amici on their “Mozart and Boccherini” concert to be held at the Wildish Community Theater in Springfield, Oregon. The concert begins at 7:30 pm. Also on the program is Mozart’s Eb Piano Quintet featuring pianist Victor Steinhart.
Chamber Music Amici’s core musicians include Pilar Bradshaw, violin; Amy Goeser Kolb, oboe; Steven Pologe, cello; Sharon Schuman, violin; and Victor Steinhardt, piano. With the motto, “Creating community through great music,” the mission of Chamber Music Amici is to produce excellent, affordable chamber music concerts which appeal to all ages. “Fandango on.” I say!
Tickets for the December 8th performance can be purchased HERE.

Wildish Community Theater

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Christmas Carol Arrangements for Classical Guitar by Scott Kritzer

Posted on November 13, 2014 by

Classical Guitar Christmas Sheet Music

It’s always fun to learn and play Christmas music this time of year and so, after numerous requests, I’m making many of the arrangements from my Classical Guitar Christmas recording available in PDF. You can purchase each arrangement individually or as a book of seven Christmas carols.

These popular arrangements for classical guitar are available by going to my STORE. Scroll down to ‘Arrangements’ You can purchase single arrangemetns for $4.95 or choose to order all seven arrangements for $19.95. Within 24 hours you’ll be emailed your music. You can preview excerpts of the written scores and music HERE.

To purchase the Classical Guitar Christmas and other recordings and arrangements please go to my Store.

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Der Leiermann by Franz Schubert for Solo Guitar

Posted on November 3, 2014 by

With the drone of the hurdy-gurdy as its backdrop this arrangement, the final work from Franz Schubert’s epic work Die Winterreise, gives the classical guitarist a chance to play one of the great works from the Romantic period on solo guitar.

Featured in the 2008 film In Bruges, Der Leiermann is the final work of a major song cycle set to the poetry of Wilhelm Müller. This haunting work reflects the desperation of a street musician (a hurdy-gurdy player) as he plays with stiff fingers, barefoot on the frozen ground. His begging plate is empty and the only attention he garners is from snarling dogs.

Characteristic of Schubert’s Winterriese is the elevation of the accompaniment in equality to the singer.  Der Leiermann’s accompaniment features a repetitive pattern, with slight variations – each answered with a haunting melody that reflects the desperation of Müller’s poem.I made this arrangement after a series of performances with baritone Marc Gremm. I realized that placing both the accompaniment and vocal line together was a natural fit for the deep sound of the classical guitar. The reentrant tuning of the 5th and 6th strings makes this a moderately easy work to learn and perform.

Winterriese was Schubert’s final work and Der Leiermann was edited by the composer just before his death in 1828.

To purchase a copy of this arrangement as well as other arrangements go to my Store and scroll down to Arrangements. Arrangements from my Classical Guitar Christmas are also available there.

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Thursdays @ Three – Live Radio Broadcast from the Studios of KQAC, October 30th

Posted on October 20, 2014 by

‘Thursdays @ Three’ is an intimate weekly broadcast by radio station All Classical KQAC, in their wonderful new facility on the banks of the Willamette River. ‘Thursdays @ Three’ showcases live music and conversation with host Robert McBride – all in the company of a studio audience. If you want to be part of the studio audience go to Studio Request Form.

Photo by Hiroshi Iwaya

On Thursday October 30th (at 3:00 pm PDT) I’ll be performing works originally for guitar as well as popular arrangements for the instrument including works by Villa-Lobos, Bach, Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albeniz. I’ll be joined by pianist Susan McDaniel and we’ll compare the Spanish work Asturias, played on both its original instrument (piano) and guitar.

‘Thursdays @ Three’ host Robert McBride says “I love to talk with musicians about what they do, so that’s always part of the mix”.

Photo by Hiroshi Iwaya

Robert says “People in the studio audience are encouraged to use social media to share the event, as long as they don’t disturb anyone. We always take pictures and share them on facebook”. The audience is lead into the studio at 2:30 and then greeted by Robert McBride at 2:45. Then it’s live radio, around the world 3:00 pm PDT!

If you can’t make it to the KQAC studio be sure to listen by going to 89.9 FM or if you’re outside the local broadcast range simply go to All Classical and click on the ‘Listen’ button. And while you’re there click on the ‘Donate’ button as well and become a member of this great station where you get commercial free classical music every hour of every day…

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Acoustic Guitar Masters Premiere Performance – Saturday, October 11 – Portland, Oregon

Posted on September 16, 2014 by

Acoustic Guitar Masters, featuring fingerstyle guitarist Mark Hanson, jazz guitarist Eric Skye, and classical guitarist Scott Kritzer, will be in concert on Saturday, October 11th at Tabor Space located at 5441 SE Belmont Street in Portland, Oregon. The concert begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or in advance through Eventbrite. (Advanced tickets are suggested).

The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments in communicating across genres of music. The October 11th concert will bring out the best of these styles when these three standouts from the worlds of classical, jazz and fingerstyle perform music from Miles Davis to Villa-Lobos to Americana ballads.

Also featured on the program will be a new arrangement of the popular Cuban lullaby – sung by mothers to their children – called the Afro Cuban Lullaby played together by Hanson, Kritzer and Sky.

Fingerstyle Master Mark Hanson

Fingerstyle guitarist and author Mark Hanson won a Grammy in 2005 for his contributions to the “Henry Mancini – Pink Guitar” CD. His graceful approach to the guitar defines smooth and belies the intricacies of his masterful fingerstyle playing. An engaging performer, he has shared the stage with many of the greats, including Tommy Emmanuel, John Renbourn, and the late Jerry Garcia. Mark played for the President of the United States in 2009.

Mark has written over two dozen titles on playing guitar, including the best-selling Art of Contemporary Travis Picking. His numerous recordings continue to play on NPR and Martha Stewart Living, even on American Idol! Each summer he runs his own Accent On Music Fingerstyle Guitar Seminar at PSU in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Jazz Guitarist Eric Skye

Eric Skye occupies a unique niche. Most often billed as a jazz guitarist, this original musician plays in an eclectic style by exploring jazz, americana, and blues. His music speaks with a popping melody over an engaging percussive groove. His most recent recording, A Different Kind Of Blue, was officially acknowledged by the Miles Davis estate and chosen by the magazine Acoustic Guitar as one of the top ten albums of 2012. Eric Skye has also been featured in Guitar Player Magaine and his music has been heard on National Public Radio and Public Radio International.

Scott Kritzer displays a consummate commitment to technical excellence and an unparalleled sense of musicality that evokes the lyricism of his teacher’s teacher, Andres Segovia. His appearences have brought him decades of accolades from audiences and critics alike. He has debuted to critical acclaim in London’s Wigmore Hall and New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall and performed in concert halls throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. In 1996 he was chosen by Senator Mark O. Hatfield to represent the State of Oregon in a performance at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Scott’s recordings include Classical Guitar Christmas, Romance for Guitar, as well as his recordings with soprano Janet Chvatal: Songs of the Americas and In The Blue Hour.

In addition to an active performing career, Scott is a highly sought after instructor. Some of his students have gone on to attend such notable institutions as The Juilliard School, The Royal Conservatory of Music, and his alma mater, The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His annual Classical Guitar Immersion, held at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon, sells out and draws classical guitar aficionados worldwide.

Tickets for the Saturday, October 11th performance are $20 and available at the door or in advance through Eventbrite.

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