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This month…
a free piece
a new publication
guitar in the classroom
some recommendations
Free Piece
Spring is trying its best to get started around here. One day it's 70 degrees, the next, it's 35. That being said, I did see the first redwing blackbird in the yard the other morning, so that's a good sign. That bird inspired this short little piece. I hope you enjoy playing it or just listening.
Guitar Chamber Music Press has just published a new guitar quartet of mine titled Winter Sun. This piece started out as a short three part exercise for my beginning guitar ensembles in school. The kids really enjoyed playing it, so I decided to expand it and arrange it for guitar quartet. This is a perfect piece for beginning to intermediate guitar ensembles. You can purchase the score and parts here.
I have more ensembles pieces that I hope to have published this year. I will be sure to share these when they are available. In the meantime, please check out all of the music offered by Guitar Chamber Music Press by visiting their website.
Guitar in the Classroom
Hudson County Teen Arts Festival
Each year, in between winter and spring concerts, the schools in Hudson County New Jersey participate in the Teen Arts Festival. All of the disciplines in the fine and performing arts are represented in this three day gathering of talented high school students.
This year, I brought our Bayonne High School Honors Guitar Quartet. They performed as a quartet, trio, and duet in the guitar ensemble category. The kids were awarded with the three highest scores, with the duet being selected to perform at the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival in May.
I'm really proud of these kids and their hard work. I thought I'd share these performances with you. I am pretty fortunate to get to work with such talented young kids every day!
If you can't see the videos below, open this newsletter in a new browser, or go to this playlist.
BHS Honors Duo - Un Instant by Laurent Méneret
BHS Honors Trio - Graziella by Laurent Méneret
BHS Honors Quartet - Bank Book Blues by Alan Shoesmith
BHS Honors Quartet - Tears by Alan Shoesmith
NJMEA All State Guitar Ensemble
The NJMEA All State Guitar Ensemble just finished up their final rehearsal of the season. The group will be performing at the Long Island Guitar Festival on May 4th, and the Kean University Guitar Festival on June 14th.
This ensemble is made up of the top classical guitar high school students in the state who audition for their seats. The ensemble is coordinated and run by music educator, Jayson Martinez.
It is an honor to get to work with these students and fellow music educators. This group sounds especially good this year. I am also thrilled that ensemble is performing my piece “A Year to Remember”…which I will be conducting.
My Bayonne High School guitar program has had students accepted into in the all state guitar ensemble every year since its inception. That is something I am extremely proud of… Go Bees! 🐝
2025 NJMEA All State Guitar Ensemble
Talking about dynamics, phrasing, and articulation with the ensemble before a run through.
Jayson Martinez conducting.
Conducting “A Year to Remember”.
Jayson Martinez conducting.
Recommendations
Here's what I'm listeng to and reading…
That's all for April. We are in the final marking period here at school, so it will be summer in a blink of an eye.
Our son Kian is graduating from Rutgers University in May with his masters in social work. We are crazy proud of his dedication, hard work, resilience, and passion for what he does every day to help children and their families in northern NJ.
We recently had a fabulous get away to Pittsburgh for the home opening weekend. Of course they lost two out of three, but we love the team, the stadium, and the city….and the Primanti Brothers' sandwiches!
