The Conservatory

A week of guitar immersion guaranteed to excite and inspire!

For emerging classical guitar performers and guitar students ages 13+.

The program focuses on developing solo performance skills through private lessons and masterclasses, while enhancing musicianship through large ensemble rehearsals. Technique classes and rehearsals run for three hours each morning, and afternoons and evenings are filled with faculty recitals and lectures, student performance workshops and masterclasses. Students receive three private lessons or masterclasses with one or more faculty members and the week caps off with a student recital featuring solo and ensemble performances.

Concert Series (Admission is By Donation)

GuitarFest West has a Concert Series coming up during the first week in August.  Admission is by donation.

This year's performances are as follows:

• Tuesday, August 2nd @ 7:30pm    Emma Rush and Steve Cowan
• Thursday, August 4th @ 7:30pm    Tim Beattie and Iliana Matos
• Friday, August 5th @ 12:00pm       Ralph Maier with special guest vocalist Julie Harris
• Friday, August 5th @ 7:00pm         Student Recital (Free)

All concerts are in the TransAlta Pavilion in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts.  Click here for a map.

Feature Activities

• Guitar ensemble rehearsals and performance
• Technique classes
• Faculty recitals and lectures
• Performance workshop
• Masterclasses with our excellent international faculty
• Private instruction
• Luthier's Fair
• Faculty concerts
• Student recital

Instructors(subject to change)

• Tim Beatie (St. Andrew’s University Music Centre)
• Steve Cowan (McGill University)
• Brett Gunther (Mount Royal University Conservatory) Program Director
• Ralph Maier (Mount Royal University Conservatory; University of Calgary)
• Iliana Matos (University of Lethbridge)
• Emma Rush (Performer, Clinician, and Educator)  Program Co-Director 
• Murray Visscher (Mount Royal University Conservatory; Ambrose University)
• Darren Young (Mount Royal University Conservatory)

Registration Information

Ages 13+ playing at a minimum Grade 4 RCM standard.
Exceptions may be made with the approval of the director.

Register Online or call 403.440.6821
Priority for selection of private instructors will be given to the earliest registrants.

Residency Option

Stay on campus for the week. Residence fees are very reasonable, and the facilities are a five minute walk from classes and performance halls. Contact Residence Services at 403.440.6275 for more information.

Program Director

Sponsors

Classical Guitar Society of Calgary
Dominelli Guitars
Morrish Guitars
KS Guitars
Len Letourneau

For new students, you will need to create a log in ID and PIN. 

For existing students, you can log in directly through the "Register Now" button.