• Classical Guitar Immersion – Performance Development – SOLD OUT (see information below of TWO CGI’s coming in 2019* )
  CGI is an immersion experience where 7 guitarists join for a week of performance preparation on the historic Columbia River Gorge at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon.

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 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.

*Classical Guitar Immersion – Technique – May 19-24, 2019 (space is limited)
In 2019 I’ll be adding a second CGI on Technique. This will coincide with the fall 2018 release of my method Primary Skills Development. Participants will work online through my method. In addition I’ll be meeting personally with participants in monthly live workshops beginning in January to 2019. Our work will culminate at CGI Technique in May 2019. Participants must complete Phase I Primary Skills Development prior to CGI Technique.

Covered in the workshop will be the following:

• Positioning and Form Review
• Review Sympathetic Motion Patterns
• Review of all Alternation Patterns
• Right Hand Study Repertoire Mapping
• Further Sympathetic Motion Development – Active and Passive Finger Work, Speed and Relaxation
• Relaxation Response Integration of Alternation and Sympathetic Motion Patterns
• Advanced Technical Scale and Arpeggio Exercises

Cost for CGI Technique is $1595.00 and includes all onsite workshops, all four live workshops, as meals and a private room at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon. A discount will be available for teachers.

Classical Guitar Immersion – Performance Development 2019 – June 14-21st, 2019 (space is limited)

Those interested in getting on a wait-list either CGI-Performance or CGI-Technique should contact me directly. I’ll be accepting deposits in June 2018.

The CGI Year in PREVIEW
CGI is more than just a week-long workshop but rather the culmination of months of direction to help in your preparation. Beginning in the summer prior to CGI participants will be encouraged to focus on technique and begin acquiring some new technical goals. In the fall participants will be encouraged to begin implementing practice directives such as ‘Slow Practice’, ‘Goal Directed Movement’, ‘Backward Sectionals’ that will go towards establishing a strong technical foundation while solidifying the memorization of your new work. Also, in the fall ensemble repertoire will be assigned.

Beginning in the new year participants will begin working on musicianship practice directive such as ‘Counting Measures’, ‘Vocalization’ and ‘Conducting’ Beginning in the spring participants we work on performance skills using the practice directives from my Performance Anxiety Rehab Workshop.

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.

CGI Overview
With panoramic views of the historic Columbia River Gorge the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center is the ideal location to immerse yourself in a week’s worth of classical guitar performance preparation. The daily schedule includes two master classes, ensemble rehearsal, technical and performance coaching. Spend your free time reviewing the video of your lesson, practice, compare notes, but also leave time to enjoy the grounds. Its easy to find a few friends to walk the trails or play tennis (few brave the unheated outdoor pool), or spend time in reflection overlooking the beautiful Columbia River 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 and pre-breakfast gatherings take place amongst your fellow guitarists.

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

Repertoire
All levels are accepted at CGI. Strong preference will go to students familiar with my method. The only other requirement is that each student must be prepared to play at least two works, one from the study repertoire and one from the general repertoire from memory and the required ensemble piece from score. We will perform two concerts on for the local Menucha community and special guests.

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

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.

CGI Schedule

Friday
1:00-3:00 Portland Airport Arrivals and Pick-ups
4:00-5:00 Check-in
5:00-5:30 Orientation
5:30-6:00 CGI Orientation
7:00-8:00 Dinner

Saturday
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 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:30-9:00 Technical Warm-Down

Sunday
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 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:30-9:00 Technical Warm-Down

Monday
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 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:30-9:00 Technical Warm-Down

Tuesday
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 Ensemble Rehearsal
8:30-9:00 Technical Warm-Down
Wednesday
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Ensemble Rehearsal and Performance Staging
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open
3:30-4:30 Performance Warm-up
4:30-5:30 Public Performance
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:30 Performance Notes

Thursday
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Performance Notes Integration
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Open

3:30-4:30 Ensemble Rehearsal and Warm-up
4:30-5:30 Private Performance
6:00-7:00 Dinner with Guests
8:30-10:00 Outdoor Fireplace Gathering

Friday
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 refrigerator. 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 for the Friday of our arrival where we will have dinner only and the Friday of our departure where we will have breakfast only.

Alternate diets can be accommodated at an additional cost of $40.00. An extensive list of options are available. Reserve your meals no later than four weeks prior to the first day of CGI. For more information, and to request an alternate diet, go to http://menucha.org/dining/alternatediet.

Fees & Deadlines

• CGI cost is $1995.00 and includes all housing, meals and classes.
• A non-refundable deposit of $495.00 secures a spot. Registration to past participants opens immediately after the previous CGI and extends until August 1st .
• Open Registration begins August 2nd (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 1st
• Final Repertoire List Due April 1st
• Alternate Dietary Requests Due: May 18st

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. Click HERE for more information about your stay at Menucha at this link

Getting to Menucha
I want everyone to arrive no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, June 16th. 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 23rd.

Please send me the following to help coordinate your arrival:

• 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)