Guitar Ensembles
Performing in the Guitar Ensemble is a core component of the classical guitar program.
Director: Oliver Fartach-Naini
The Elder Conservatorium Guitar Ensemble constitutes a core component of the Elder Conservatorium's classical guitar program as it provides training opportunities that are vital to the development of the students’ skill-sets and repertoire knowledge. The ensemble comprises both undergraduate and postgraduate guitar students as well as students from other faculties within the University.
Weekly rehearsals culminate in a range of public concerts and community outreach engagements. With a strong commitment to promoting new music the ensemble’s numerous world premiere performances have among many others featured compositions by Ian Seaborn, Stephen Whittington, Grant Sheridan and Jaime Zenamon. For the 2018 Adelaide International Guitar Festival the ensemble is preparing world premieres of compositions by James Rawley and Sebastian Phlox for which the ensemble will be coached by American festival artist Martha Masters.
Working with distinguished guests and participating in international festivals is a central strand in the ensemble’s objective of establishing the foundations for a successful career in music. In 2011 the ensemble joined forces with Duo Agostino from Sydney for a performance of Vivaldi's double concerto for two mandolins and strings. In October 2015 the ensemble collaborated with Australian luminary Richard Charlton to celebrate the composer’s 60th birthday with a concert presenting exclusively his compositions in Elder Hall. Apart from regular appearances at the concert series Guitarissimo, further performance highlights have included the Adelaide International Guitar Festivals 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 as well as festival performances in South Korea in 2010 and 2017.
Auditioning for the ensemble
All Classical Guitar students in Years 1, 2 & 3 are required to audition for the Elder Conservatorium Guitar Ensemble.
Auditions will be held during O'Week each year. Questions about and requests to sign up for these auditions should be directed to Dr Oliver Fartach-Naini.