News

2013 Hawaii Guitar Class SOLD OUT!

Don Verdery — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:52:57 +0000

Aloha All!

I'm thrilled to announce we are sold out for the the 2013 Maui Master class! I know Fred Hand is excited as well.
I will see and hear you all on that magical island, and for those who could not make it this year, I hope to see you next year!!

Mahalo and Aloha!

2013 GUITAR CLASS ON MAUI

Don Verdery — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:21:22 +0000

I am so excited to announce my 14th guitar class on the island of Maui in Hawaii from Wednesday, July 24 through Thursday, August 1, 2013. Joining me as guest teacher this year will be the renowned guitarist and Emmy-winning composer Frederic Hand. Joining as guest ukulele teacher and ensemble assistant will be Hawaiian guitarist and ukulele player Ian O’Sullivan.

The opening concert with Frederic and myself will be Tuesday, July 23. The class will include student recitals at two spectacular and intimate locations: the Lahaina Jodo Buddhist Mission and the Keawala‘i Congregational Church in Makena, Maui, as well as a special recital for advanced students. Each student will play three times during the nine-day class, receiving two master class sessions with me and one with Mr. Hand. All students will participate in the guitar ensemble, which will be led be yours truly and Mr. O’Sullivan. Mr. O’Sullivan will offer ukulele classes for the local community and interested class participants as part of the class activities.

All applicants, including those who have attended the class in the past, must submit an audio or video recording of two works in contrasting style and tempo. These may be submitted as mp3s emailed to benverdery@gmail.com, or as links to online video or audio files. The application deadline is February 15, 2013. We will notify you by March 1, 2013 whether you are accepted.

The class is also open to auditors, who may attend all master classes, concerts, and other class activities. Auditors will also have the opportunity to receive a brief coaching session with me during the week.

For more information please contact John Olson at verderyclass@gmail.com.
Benjamin Verdery 2013 Hawaii Guitar Class.pdf

Hello Friends!

Don Verdery — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:18:07 +0000

What a fall it's been! I want to thank all the wonderful players of the Pensacola Guitar Orchestra led by Professor Joe Stalling who helped make the premier of my piece for guitar orchestra, Penzacola Belongs to All on October 13th such a magical event. I'm looking forward to arranging it possibly for guitar quartet and regular guitar orchestra soon.

I just recently returned from a wonderful short tour in California. It was so moving to see old friends in Aptos and Santa Cruz and on to Sacremento where Maestro Savino took such great care of me. I loved teaching both Bill Coulter and Mezut Ozgen's students as well as Rich Savino's students in Sacremento. What a joy!

My concert on election night at the Festival of New American Music in Sacremento was a night I won't forget. Election night was quite a night to play an all American program! You can read the review of the concert on my Where's Ben section of this site. I then went on to play for Peter Curtis's and Jody Foster's students at the Riverside Community College November 7th. They were a utter delight to play for.

Last Friday night (11/9) I saw the premier of an absolutely first rate documentary called I Can't Stand Losing You by Andy Summers. You don't have to be a Police fan to enjoy this film. It is a fascinating film about a great musician's life and relationship with the guitar. Andy and I are discussing the repertoire for our December concert at the Amsterdam Electric Guitar Festival. I'm thrilled we are getting a chance to play again.

I want to thank everyone who so generously contributed to the Goyesque film. We are hoping to wrap it up perhaps by spring. I am still writing music for it. More on that later.

Speaking of contributing, what can one say about the devastation of Hurricane Sandy? As all know now many, many families are left homeless.It is tragic and any contributions to those in need will be deeply appreciated I know.

I must get practicing for a world premier of my piece Standing In Your Own Light for Koto virtuoso Yumi Kurosawa and myself. The concert is this Saturday night November 17 . The details are posted in Where's Ben. Please come along! In addition, I will be playing my new solo work, Now and Ever.

I promise more deep thoughts and Guitar tips soon!!!!

Be well!
Peace!

Happy Summer to all

Don Verdery — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:58:52 +0000

It’s been a while since we launched the site I have a few new projects to share.

The first is a campaign video for a documentary I am scoring called Corrida Goyesque. Over a year ago I was approached by dear friend Chris Burke to write the music for a documentary he wanted to make about art, the bull and bullfighting. I am not a fan of bullfighting, but the more I thought about my role in the film and the various emotional elements the film contained, I decided to do it. It has been, and will continue to be, quite a journey. I will write about it at a later date in Deep thoughts.

We hope to be posting videos of Bill and Ben later in the summer.

In teaching tips, look for a complete guide to putting on ping -pong ball nails by Kim Perlak. There are real perils in using crazy glue on one’s nails, but the fact is for many with horrible nails, it’s the only way to create a good sound. Kim gives you a step by step procedure which she was generous enough to let me post.

In addition, my piece Tread Lightly is finally copied and will be available for downloading soon.

Have fun stay cool and I promise to be back sooner this time with new things to share on the site.

Aloha,
Ben

Welcome, Friends:

Don Verdery — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:03:20 +0000

After years of badgering from family, friends and students to build a new web site I have finally done it!! It would not have happened with out the great help of my management, my children, John and Mitsuko, Jackson Braider, Seymour Bernstein and most importantly, the wonderful web designer Monica Ong.

From month to month I plan to make more of my scores and arrangements available. In addition, I will continue to write my “deep thoughts", share some guitar tips, post new photos, add more Alumni and their news, teaching tips, tell you where I am and who knows, maybe even post some vegan recipes! Until Then!

Peace, Love and Guitars,

Ben