The Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival has something for everyone

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Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival

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Where: Vancouver Academy of Music and Deer Lake Gallery

When: July 16 to 21

Tickets: vancouverguitar.org

Vancouver’s classical music scene almost seems to have set up a summer residence in Burnaby this July.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra resumed its summer practice for a free concert at Deer Lake Park on Saturday, July 16. The following day, the Vancouver Opera does the same with its first outdoor program at 7:30 pm, under the direction of the distinguished Director of VO. Emeritus, and the new Principal Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Darlington.

There’s another new event this month, the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival, taking place July 16-21 at two locations: the Vancouver Academy of Music in Vanier Park and the Deer Lake Gallery in Burnaby.

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The festival started online two summers ago and was deemed so successful that it has now become an in-person proposition, though those who can’t get to town can still stream events live.

What is involved? A very complete week of master classes and workshops, playing together and even a demonstration of luthiers where players can play and even try instruments. Participating students at all levels can look forward to sessions with guest professors, including René Izquierdo, Daniel Bolshoy, and Luis Ángel Medina. There is an option of musicality with Lucina Zhao, guitar orchestra with Medina, Latin American Guitar Night with David Sossa and Improvisation with Itamar Erez.

And that’s just for gamers. What about the legions of fans who often find guitar-centric music events to be in short supply during the regular season? The festival has three concert events featuring multiple artists in a rich mix of repertoire. The VCGFest Opening Concert is Saturday, July 16 at 7 pm at the Vancouver Academy of Music and features Medina, Alec Pearson and Cuban René Izquierdo. On Sunday afternoon, July 17, a matinee at 2:30 pm includes performances by Louise Southwood, Hanh Nguyen and Bolshoy.

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Festivals require a great deal of work and considerable planning to be successful. That this is the third iteration of the VCGF, which was actually released during the extra tough pandemic seasons, speaks to its appeal and effectiveness.

Outreach Program Coordinator and Ensemble Director Medina explains, “I started the Festival because I wanted the local guitar community to have a place to gather.”

Born in Mexico, Medina moved to Vancouver a little over a decade ago. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia during the short time that the festival’s artistic director, Bolshoy, taught there. When Bolshoy accepted a new position at the University of Georgia, Medina became his first master’s student.

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Medina emphasizes that the subtext of the festival is the community, a community of musicians, fans and music lovers. There is plenty for players to do, including not only individual lessons but also the Medina ensemble.

“A guitar orchestra is a very rare opportunity to merge and be part of something beyond oneself,” he explains. “Guitar is a solo instrument, so you don’t often get a chance to hang out with your peers. The idea is to get together with everyone interested in guitar music. For me, attending festivals is above all an opportunity to grow, meet great people and be inspired by them”.

The final event of the festival is all about seeing that inspiration and growth come to fruition. A final participant concert will be arranged as the festival unfolds, with selected participants performing in a Closing Participant Concert, on Thursday July 21 at 5:30pm at Deer Lake Gallery in Burnaby.

For more information visit medinaguitar.com/vcgfest.