Virtuoso Eliot Fisk will perform at the Texas Guitar Competition and Festival on Saturday. Fisk’s concert is free to UT Dallas students, staff and faculty presenting their Comet Card at the box office the night of the event. General admission tickets for the show are $25.
The annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival returns to The University of Texas at Dallas on Friday and Saturday with classical guitarists from around the world vying for cash prizes and performances from renowned American guitarists.
In its 16th year, the festival will explore the excellence of American guitar with performances from UT Dallas’ Radiant Ensemble, guitarist Adam Holzman and a capstone concert by acclaimed guitarist Eliot Fisk.
“This year, the festival will feature one of America’s top luthiers, guitar builder Stephan Connor from the Boston area,” said Dr. Enric Madriguera, the Russell Cleveland Professor of Guitar Studies. “Stephan is a world-class maker and innovator of the classical guitar, and his instruments are played by the top artists on the stage today, such as Angel Romero, Zaira Meneses and Eliot Fisk.”
Every year, UT Dallas invites a roster of elite classical guitarists to participate in the unique showcase of international talent. Over the span of the three-day event, students can watch the competition, attend master classes and enjoy concerts with the guest performers.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, concert guitarist Adam Holzman will kick off the festivities with a free concert in the Jonsson Performance Hall. Founder of the guitar department at The University of Texas at Austin, Holzman has performed in festivals and series in Miami, San Francisco, Boston and New Orleans.
The four finalists of the international competition will perform in the University Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday. Fisk will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The New York Times has described Fisk as a fiery player who “turns up heat on the classical guitar.” He was awarded the Grand Cross of Isabella Católica by King Juan Carlos I of Spain in 2006. The medal is one of the highest civilian honors that the government of Spain awards. Fisk will conduct master classes for UT Dallas guitar students as part of the festival.
“This year’s festival celebrates both the genius of American guitar music and our place in a global musical world,” said Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and the Ignacy and Celina Rockover Professor of Humanities.
Fisk’s concert is free to UT Dallas students, staff and faculty presenting their Comet Card at the box office the night of the event. General admission tickets for the show are $25.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or by calling 972-883-2552. Tickets purchased in advance will be available at the door prior to the show.
Texas Guitar Competition and Festival
Thursday, March 2
- Adam Holzman Concert — 8 p.m., Jonsson Performance Hall
Friday, March 3: Finals
- Michael Craddock Master Class — 11 a.m., Arts and Humanities 1 Building
- Eliot Fisk Master Class — 2 p.m., Jonsson Performance Hall
- Pre-show: Radiant Ensemble — 7 p.m., University Theatre
- Competition Finals — 8 p.m., University Theatre
Saturday, March 4: Youth Competition and Concerts
- Youth Competition (both levels) open to competitors’ parents and teachers) — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Arts and Humanities 1 Building
- Adam Holzman Master Class — 12:45 p.m., Jonsson Performance Hall
- Stephan Connor Presentation — 4 p.m., Jonsson Performance Hall
- Pre-Show: Garland High School Guitar Ensemble — 7:15 p.m., University Theatre
- Eliot Fisk Concert and Contest Winners Announced — 8 p.m., University Theatre