Utah Classical Guitar presents world-class performers and works to expand the guitar community through education and public engagement.

Our Impact:

The community benefits from Utah Classical Guitar (UCG) offerings in several ways:

Our Artist Series concerts provide the opportunity for Utah residents to hear professional top level classical guitarists from around the world. The master classes given by these amazing performers are open to the public and provide an experience of immeasurable value to students and music lovers in our community. Without the efforts of UCG, world-class classical guitar concerts and master classes would simply not be a part of the cultural and musical landscape of our region.

As a result of our free community concerts and "open mic" events, the local community has access to hear great performers, and local players and guitar enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are able to share their talents and actively participate in making music. The popularity of these events proves that classical guitar music is a vibrant and engaging form of expression for all. This is an essential part of our unique contribution because it fosters a sense of belonging. All of us have an important role to play in creating the wonderfully diverse experience of arts in our community.

Our education and outreach initiatives also provide great value to the community by inspiring and energizing young people with limited access. Visiting artists work with students in our school programs at the The Gifted Music School, Matheson Junior High School, Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, Weber State University, and other educational institutions. For many of these students, our program is their first experience with classical guitar. The guitar is the perfect tool to put classical music into the hands of young people who might not otherwise have these opportunities. Such a popular and familiar instrument bridges the gap between young people and classical music and serves as a gateway to a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Value of music education:

Utah Classical Guitar seeks to provide a positive learning experience with lasting impact. Giving all children access to great performers and teachers is important. Providing opportunities for children to set goals and challenge themselves in music builds confidence. Setting children up for a lifetime of musical expression and appreciation for the arts has immeasurable value to our community.

Major programs:

Artist Series Concerts:

Each season, we present several top-level, internationally recognized classical guitar soloists or ensembles in public concerts in the Regent Street Black Box at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City. These are ticketed events.

These performances appeal to all classical music lovers, especially guitar enthusiasts and those interested in Spanish or Latin American music.

This series was created to fill a void in the music offerings in Utah due to geographic isolation from the East and West coast hubs of classical guitar activity.

Free community concerts:

Visiting artists, local professionals, and advanced student ensembles perform at various locations including the Sorenson Unity Center, Kearns Library, Marmalade Library, Jordan Valley Conservation Garden Park, the Natural History Museum of Utah, local art galleries, and other public spaces.

These concerts are aimed at expanding access to more neighborhoods and to families, students, and all regardless of ability to pay.

These offerings originated for the purposes of expanding and diversifying access to classical guitar performances in the  community.

Masterclasses:

Visiting performers from the Artist Series also teach two-hour classes with selected student players and an audience.

These events are free and open to the public, benefiting teachers, students, all musicians, and community members interested in hearing great artists talk about music.

These events allow serious local students to learn from the world’s best performers.

 “Open mic” events:

Pre-registered players of all ages and levels perform at three concerts per year which are held at Day-Murray Music, in Murray.

Local students, school ensembles, hobbyists, and professionals use this opportunity to perform on stage and share their work with each other and an appreciative audience.

The purpose of these events is to serve as a showcase for talent in the community.