The Artist-Audience Connection
This story is part of our ACG Fall Fund Drive Changing Lives Storyboard. Consider supporting ACG today!
In his role as ACG's Performance Engagement Artist, Joseph Palmer gives concerts in schools, libraries, museums - even alongside puppets! His programs are each uniquely crafted for the audience he's performing for, and always feature plenty of storytelling and audience interaction. And through his regular visits to all of our local middle and high school guitar programs, along with a series of online performance videos, Joseph is inspiring young people throughout Austin to find joy through music-making. In this blog post, learn more about Joseph's work with ACG and approach to engaging diverse audiences.
School Visits
In 2017, Joseph made 35 visits to Austin middle and high schools, performing for more than 1,000 students. One of the main goals of his school visits in the last 18 months has been to inspire guitar students to participate in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Solo Music Contest.
The specific design of these visits was Inspire-Support-Refine. First, Joseph developed a concert program consisting entirely of selections from the UIL Prescribed Music List. This meant that every piece he performed is one the students would be eligible to play for a UIL guitar competition. Joseph then recorded videos of many of the selections so that all students, particularly those without private instructors, would have access to excellent tutorial support for their own chosen solo. Finally, he scheduled follow-up visits at each school, styled as master classes, for the students to perform their piece for him and their peers, and receive feedback.
Musical Puppet Shows
At the core of Joseph’s work in Performance Engagement is the question: As an artist, what can I do to make my performances as deeply personally significant as possible?
In the UIL example above, he designed a powerful program for middle and high school students of guitar. In partnering with storytellers from Austin Public Library’s “Literature Live” program for six performances of the musical puppet show, Fifolet (in addition to a radio show performance), Joseph provided free and engaging musical experiences for about 350 diverse young people and families all around Austin.
We asked Joseph to tell us a bit more about his work:
The role of music has always been deeply significant in my life. It can express what words cannot, connect people with their emotions, and it carries the capacity to dissolve the barriers that separate people. In the last several years, I have become increasingly inspired by the idea of being able to connect with virtually any person through music.
I’ve found that combining musical performance with personal interaction can open up a space where young people can explore something beautiful, share their impressions, self-reflect, discuss emotions, empathize, and think creatively. These are perhaps atypical experiences for a classroom setting, yet they are an essential part of our every day lives.
The greatness of the art we love and produce is only manifest through the personal connections others are able to make with it. As the performer, you are the ambassador for your art, and each performance is an opportunity to connect others to the richness and beauty of that world. Oftentimes, it’s not only about how great you play; it’s about how you present the experience as a whole.
The way an artist communicates and interacts with the audience during a performance has the potential to significantly enrich the listening experience. The goal is not to merely give information, but to build audience anticipation, engage their interest, imagination, or emotions in ways that tie into the music. When done well, it dramatically changes the whole dynamic of the musical experience.
Joseph Palmer's Performance Engagement work is made possible through the generous support of Bill & Mary LaRosa and Carl Caricari & Margaret Murray Miller.
Top 10 Moments of 2017
Back by popular demand, it's our list of the Top 10 ACG Moments of the Year! It was an epic struggle to narrow this one down. We argued, we pleaded, we cajoled, and for a while even thought about making it a Top 11 list - but when the dust finally settled, we chose the 10 unforgettable moments listed below.
Was there something we left out? Let us know your most memorable ACG moments of 2017!
#10 - "Coco"
We couldn’t resist. As soon as we heard that Disney/Pixar would be releasing “Coco,” an animated musical about a young boy and his magical guitar, we called our friends at the Alamo Drafthouse and made plans for a kid-friendly, first-time guitar experience as part of the movie’s opening weekend in late November. We secured permission from Disney to create a simple arrangement of one of the songs from the film, came up with a fun lesson plan designed to get a roomful of kids from zero to performance-ready in less than an hour, gathered up 50 guitars, and headed to the theater hoping it would all work! Somehow, it did! And everyone had a blast. BONUS: Lots of adorable kiddos with guitars!
#9 - "The Fifolet"
What will happen to little Jolie when she encounters Percival, the mysterious pirate ghost, standing guard over his precious treasure? Find out in The Fifolet!
In August, ACG’s Performance Engagement Artist, Joseph Palmer, teamed up with storytellers from Austin Public Library for our first-ever musical puppet show collaboration! So much drama - so much fun! They gave six free shows in six different neighborhood libraries around the city.
Joseph recently shared some thoughts about connecting with audiences in this blog post.
#8 - Guitars Under the Stars
Guitars Under the Stars, our annual gala for ACG Education, is always a highlight of the season, and the 2017 edition was no exception. So many memorable moments – the heartfelt testimonial by Judge Darlene Byrne about ACG’s work with youth in juvenile detention... words of gratitude from ACG Scholarship recipient Santiago Esquivel... the Paper Guitar... Joseph Palmer's "Bold Fashioned" custom cocktail... the Akins High School guitar ensemble... and capping it all off, a performance by Grisha that led to long standing ovations (and swooning guitarists). But the part we loved the most? That we got to spend a magical night with so many friends and raised nearly $90,000 for ACG Education programs.
#7 - ACG Juvenile Justice Program featured in Teen Vogue
ACG’s work with youth in the juvenile justice system has attracted a lot of attention over the years – but we never expected to make it into Teen Vogue! Click here to read the article they published on their website in October.
We are so proud of the positive impact our guitar classes at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center have had on the young people we have the privilege of working with there. Check out this recent blog from Jeremy Osborne for a story about one of his students. BONUS: At the end of Jeremy's post you can watch the PBS NewsHour segment that led to the Teen Vogue story, which features an interview with the NewsHour reporter. Meta!
#6 - Matt gets an award!
We always knew our boss was pretty special. Matt Hinsley's leadership and vision have transformed Austin Classical Guitar from a humble guitar society into one of the most innovative and effective arts service organizations in the United States, so we were thrilled when the National Association of Social Workers named him as the 2017 “Public Citizen of the Year” for the state of Texas. Congratulations, Matt!
#5 - GuitarCurriculum.com: Changing lives from Austin to Kathmandu
The not-so-secret engine that powers ACG Education is GuitarCurriculum.com, our online instructional resource for classroom-based guitar that allows us to support hundreds of teachers and thousands of their students across the U.S. and beyond. We didn’t truly appreciate how “beyond” our reach extended until we heard from Daniel Linden, who uses our curriculum with his students in Kathmandu, Nepal! Behind the scenes, the big news happened this August with the long-awaited relaunch of GC.com on a new software platform. This upgrade has dramatically improved the usability of the site and will allow us to introduce some new features that we've been dreaming about for a while.
#4 - The Lullaby Project, and a Transformational Gift
The Lullaby Project brings us together with mothers in extremely challenging circumstances to help them write personal songs for their children. It's incredibly challenging and rewarding work, and the songs and stories that have emerged since we began in 2014 have touched us deeply. The lullaby above, "I Will Protect You," was created just a couple of weeks ago at Travis County Jail.
In October, an anonymous donor handed us a check for $75,000 to start a Lullaby Project fund within ACG’s Endowment. We were blown away by this incredible gift, which will help sustain this special program for years to come.
#3 - A trial run for our newest and coolest project
One of our most exciting projects at the moment is a web-based learning resource designed to empower lifelong learning on the classical guitar for people with visual impairments. Nothing like it exists, and with help from Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, we're on track to launch in March, 2018! Back in August, though, we were just getting started and needed assurance it would all work. Seven members from the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Blind agreed to meet with us at TSBVI to try out the first few lessons. None of them played guitar, and as soon as we handed them instruments they had lots of questions! We told them they could only use the audio guides and braille scores we provided – because that's how people using the resource would do it. Not only did everyone sail through the lessons, they had so much fun they asked to keep going!
#2 - "Hope After Harvey"
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast on Friday, August 25th. The devastation it left in its wake was unimaginable, and we were eager to do something – anything - to help those affected. Together with Austin Chamber Music Center, Conspirare, and the Miro Quartet, we formulated plans for a benefit concert to raise money for the relief effort. St. John’s United Methodist Church generously stepped in and offered to host, and with five days to prepare, we got busy!
As soon as “Hope After Harvey” was announced, the contributions began pouring in - and not just from local folks planning to attend the concert. There were contributions from all over Texas, as well as Florida, California – even Singapore and Switzerland!
And on the day of the concert, hundreds of you came. Every single seat in St. John’s large sanctuary was filled, with more people lining the aisles, and even more watching a video simulcast of the concert from two overflow rooms. We also collected two carloads of donated goods, and signed up volunteers for two trips to assist nearby affected communities.
In the end, the concert raised over $35,000, all of which went to Austin- and Houston-based disaster relief organizations. "Hope After Harvey" was a remarkable demonstration of what our community can accomplish when we come together to help our neighbors - and a powerful affirmation that music is a mysterious and gentle force that brings people together, and inspires and lifts us all.
#1 - i/we
i/we changed us.
For two evenings in late July, i/we invited us to gather, to contemplate, and to search for ourselves in the faces and stories of others. It was also one of the most unique, ambitious, and challenging projects we’ve ever attempted at ACG. Highlighted by Joe Williams’s stunning score and Travis Marcum's interviews with refugees recently settled in central Texas, i/we drew upon the combined efforts and talents of the entire staff, a small army volunteers, and an international ensemble of world-class musicians. Everyone poured their hearts into it. i/we also drew upon the willingness of our community to open themselves up to an experience that asked a lot from them. The result was a truly extraordinary night of music, art, and stories we will never forget. The video above captures some of the magic.
From every one of us at Austin Classical Guitar, thank you for your incredible support and friendship. We are so grateful for the generous spirit of this community. You inspire us every day. We can't wait to share more great moments together in 2018!
Inspiring Passion & Self-Respect
This story is the first of our ACG Fall Fund Drive Changing Lives Storyboard. Consider supporting ACG today!
For the past seven years, Austin Classical Guitar has offered daily guitar classes for incarcerated young people at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. Many of our students have at one time or another found themselves in the courtroom of The Honorable Darlene Byrne. Having spent over 15 years working with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems, Judge Byrne offers a unique and insightful perspective on ACG’s work with these talented students who happen to have troubled pasts.
What was your initial thought about a classical guitar program at Gardner Betts?
That it’s unique, innovative, and a win-win for the students and the facility. It’s not a program I would have ever imagined thriving in a detention center, but it’s become a wonderful enrichment experience that allows these young men to define themselves other than as someone who has broken the law. Learning music can reveal the unique, and often hidden, talents these kids have. It’s more than music. It’s mentorship, and the relationship the instructor has with the students.
"Austin Classical Guitar uses a beautiful art form to crack through the hard exterior of some of our community’s toughest young people and inspire in them a sense of beauty, passion, and self-respect."
What kind of impact do you think the guitar program has on the students at Gardner Betts?
As a judge, I routinely see young people in my courtroom who suffer from the effects of abuse, neglect, poverty, mental illness, and addiction. These youth often develop a hard exterior and are not easily reached by individuals in the community who want to engage them in a positive activity. Austin Classical Guitar uses a beautiful art form to crack through the hard exterior of some of our community's toughest young people and inspire in them a sense of beauty, passion, and self-respect. For some students this may be the first opportunity they’ve had to express themselves and their emotions.
Most of the young people at Gardner Betts are one, two, or three years behind in their education, and this becomes something they are self-conscious about. Because of this, many learn not to like school, and feel embarrassed if they don’t know something. But the great thing about the guitar program is that all the students are starting from the same place. They’re learning the language of music together. Regrettably, I think many of these students have been taught to view messing up as a failure. ACG takes those messy moments, like when a student might be having trouble with a passage of music, and turns them into moments of enlightenment, discovery, and learning.
Do you have a favorite memory of the guitar students at Gardner Betts?
One of the most beautiful experiences I have had with the program was seeing one of the young men perform a solo in front of a live audience while at the same time displaying a paper and tape, life size, three dimensional rendering of a guitar he had built. It is a remarkable piece of art and an expression of what this program can inspire within some of these young folks. This young man took it upon himself to create this piece of art for his instructors while his classes were on pause for the summer. It was a testament to how much passion the program had inspired in his heart.
If you are inspired by Austin Classical Guitar's work with young people in the Juvenile Justice System, please consider making a donation to support our work today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rt0UvAOqa8
Eliot Fisk: The Maestro Returns
Eliot Fisk is one of the premiere classical guitarists on the planet. No stranger to Austin audiences, we're thrilled to welcome him back for our International Series on Saturday night. Tickets are still available! There's a preview of his program below, but first, we caught up with Eliot to talk about his views on classical music, the work of ACG, and why he thinks music can change the world.
Tell us about how you first met ACG's Executive Director, Matt Hinsley.
UT Guitar Professor Adam Holzman is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Years ago he invited me to Austin to give a master class, and that’s when I got to meet and hear this young guitarist named Matt Hinsley for the first time. He played the first song from Vogelweide: Song Cycle by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. It’s a piece for voice and guitar, and he sang and played the guitar accompaniment at the same time! Not only did he play it perfectly, but I couldn’t even criticize his German.
What has kept you interested in the work of Austin Classical Guitar over the years?
As someone whose life has been inextricably linked to the classical guitar for so long, I’m thrilled not only with the concerts ACG presents, but with the education programs you guys have created, and with your innovations in classical guitar pedagogy. Because of this, ACG is reaching students around the globe. The organization has created so many opportunities for guitarists to work and thrive, as well as thought up new and exciting ways for musicians to be involved with the community and public service.
What do you think makes music special?
The arts, and I think music in particular, create experiences for people to come together in the appreciation of beauty. We as musicians are uniquely poised to provide opportunities for human connection and empathy. The live music experience creates a temporary feeling of community among audience members, who are often complete strangers.
Playing music as a group means coming together, joining forces, and creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re singing in a choir or playing in a guitar ensemble, there is no “I” - there is only “we,” and when differences are set aside in the pursuit of creating something special for people to enjoy, everyone wins. I think ACG is a wonderful example of this. Through its education programs in schools, concert series, guitar classes for incarcerated students, the Lullaby Project, and so much more, ACG reaches the community in unique, impactful, and innovative ways. To me, this is the future of classical music, and ACG is at the forefront of this movement.
More About Eliot
“I consider Eliot Fisk as one of the most brilliant, intelligent and gifted young musical artists of our times, not only amongst guitarists but in all the general field of instrumentalists. I put him at the top line of our artistic world.”
– Andrés Segovia
The final student of the great Andrés Segovia, Eliot Fisk has been dazzling audiences for decades. He is easily one of the most famous American guitarists of the last 50 years. Over that time, Fisk has performed all over the world, made 29 recordings, and was nominated for a Grammy award.
Check out Eliot’s performance with Paco Peña as part of an NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series!
Saturday Night's Program
With music from all over the world, including selections from some of classical guitar’s most cherished composers, Eliot’s concert this Saturday will be as thrilling and eclectic as they come. Known for his adventurous and daring performances, Eliot will tackle two of Bach’s beloved Cello Suites, as well as a set of Paganini’s devilishly difficult Caprices for solo violin. Fisk was the first to transcribe these legendary pieces for guitar. We're particularly excited to hear Eliot take on the infamous Caprice No. 24. Arguably one of the most challenging pieces written for violin - performing it on guitar is even more astounding!
Join us this Saturday for Eliot Fisk, Live at the AISD Performing Arts Center!
Austin Classical Guitar presents
Eliot Fisk, guitar
Saturday, November 4th , 2017 at 8:00 p.m.
Six pieces from Latin America:
CuecaAgustín Barrios Mangore (1885-1944)
QuirpaVicente Emilio Sojo (1887-1974)
Vals en Re (“Tatania”)Antonio Lauro (1917-1986)
Los CuajaritosIgnacio “Indio” Figurero (1899-1995)
El NiñoAntonio Lauro (1917-1986)
El Coquí*José Ignacio Quintón (1881-1925)
Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007*Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude(1685 – 1750)
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuet I
Minuet II
Gigue
Six Capricci from Op. 1*Niccolò Paganini
No. 20 in D major: Allegretto (dolce); Minore; Allegretto (dolce)(1782 – 1840)
No. 2 in B minor: Moderato
No. 11 in C major: Andante; Presto; Primo Tempo
No. 22 in F major: Marcato; Minore; Da Capo
No. 13 in Bb major: Allegro; Minore; Da Capo
No. 24 in A minor: Quasi Presto (Tema con Variaizioni)
INTERMISSION
Cello Suite No. 3 BWV 1009*J. S. Bach
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrée I
Bourrée II
Gigue
Six pieces from Spain and Latin America:
Danza Española No. 5 (“Andaluza”)*Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
Homenaje (“Pour le tombeau de Debussy”)Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Estrellita*Manuel Ponce (1882-1948)
Torre Bermeja*Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Habanera*Ernesto Halffter (1905-1989)
Sevilla*Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
* Transcribed for guitar by Eliot Fisk
Program subject to change
Jorge Caballero: A symphony on six strings
From his transcriptions of mammoth piano works to capturing the essence of Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral suite, Capriccio Espagnole, on solo guitar, it seems like Jorge Caballero is drawn to musical challenges many guitarists wouldn’t dare attempt. But what makes him such a remarkable guitarist is his ability to make everything he plays, no matter how difficult, look and sound effortless.
One of our most favorite artists, we could think of no one better to open our 17-18 International Concert Series! In honor of the occasion, he’s prepared a program for us that’s sure to dazzle.
Here’s a preview:
The first half of the concert features Jorge’s transcriptions of keyboard music by J.S. Bach and the great Spanish composer, Isaac Albéniz. Especially exciting will be Jorge’s performance of his landmark arrangement of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, a work originally written for organ.
Then, after the break, Jorge will tackle Kazuhito Yamashita’s fiendishly difficult arrangement of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“The New World Symphony”). Two hands, six strings, and 19 frets. I’m not sure how this beloved orchestral work can all fit on one guitar, but I bet Jorge will make it look easy - and sound stunning.
Join us for ACG’s Season Opening Concert!
Jorge Caballero, guitar
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 8pm
AISD Performing Arts Center
Prelude and Fugue, BWV 849 Johann Sebastian Bach
(from “The Well Tempered Clavier,” Book I) (1685 - 1750)
Arr. J. Caballero
Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV 903
Cantos de España, op. 232 Isaac Albéniz
I. Preludio (1860 - 1909)
II. Oriental
III. Bajo la palmera
IV. Córdoba
V. Seguidillas
Intermission
Symphony No. 9, op. 95 (“From the New World”) Antonín Dvořák
I. Adagio - Allegro molto (1841 - 1904)
II. Largo arr. K Yamashita
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace - Poco sostenuto
IV. Allegro con Fuoco
Donor Spotlight: Ed and Mary Collins
Every Sunday for almost ten years, Ed Collins has made the two-hour round trip drive to his ACG Community Guitar Ensemble rehearsal. This passion for learning guitar led Ed and his wife Mary to become involved with ACG’s education and social service programs. We asked them to talk with us about their relationship with the organization, and the reasons behind their decision to include ACG in their planned giving.
How did you first pick up the guitar, and find out about ACG?
Ed: Years ago, when my son was very young, we went to see the great Spanish guitarist, Andrés Segovia, perform in Houston. From the first note, I fell in love with the instrument, and knew I wanted to learn classical guitar. At the time, I was too busy to do anything about it, but I always kept that love with me, and decided that when I had the time, I would learn classical guitar.
In 2008, I finally decided to buy a guitar and start learning, but couldn’t find a teacher. I eventually found Austin Classical Guitar on the internet, and signed up for the Community Guitar Ensemble. Playing in the group fulfills my passion for improving my guitar playing, but also for sharing music with others. I’ve been in the Community Guitar Ensemble for almost ten years, and it’s been amazing.
"ACG provides young people with experiences that make them feel engaged and important. This organization is about more than just pushing strings on a guitar. It’s about changing lives."
- Ed Collins
What has kept you involved in the ensemble for so long?
Ed: I discovered a long time ago that if I have a place to go, a time to be there, and a group to be involved with, I won’t let them down. So for ACG, I’ll get my practice in, and be ready to play. Eric Pearson, who directs ACG’s Community Ensembles, has taught me so much. He can take a concept or a technique that seems complicated and present it in a digestible format. On the drive home every week, I think about everything we learned in rehearsal, and I just can’t wait to get back. It’s a two-hour round trip, but I wouldn’t miss it. We’ve got a great group of players in the ensemble, and we’re all there for the same reason: the friendship and the love of playing together. When we get the music down and perform it, everyone sounds great.
Mary, what has it been like to watch Ed pursue his passion for classical guitar?
Mary: It’s been amazing to watch this process unfold. I could tell right away he loved being in the ensemble, and he can’t wait for rehearsal each week. I’m just so glad he found guitar. We always encourage each other to do what we love.
You’ve both decided to include ACG in your planned giving. Can you talk a little bit about how that came about?
Mary: What interested me was how ACG’s education programs serve at-risk and low-income children. I think everyone deserves to learn music, and a positive activity like performing in an ensemble can build self-esteem for a young person. Once we discovered the depth of service at ACG, we knew we wanted to be involved long-term. We decided we wanted to make a difference in the places where we were personally involved. ACG is one of those places.
Ed: I initially joined ACG because I wanted to learn classical guitar and rehearse and perform in the Community Ensemble. But when Mary and I found out about ACG’s education and service programs in schools and the juvenile detention center, we knew we wanted to do more. We’ve increased our support each year, and now, most importantly, we’ve included ACG in our planned giving. ACG provides young people with experiences that make them feel engaged and important. This organization is about more than just pushing strings on a guitar. It’s about changing lives.
Nepal
In 2006, Pushpa Basnet created a special home in Nepal for children of incarcerated parents who - due to overcrowding in Nepal’s orphanages – were left to either live with their parents in the prison or on the streets. In recognition of her work, she was chosen as CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2012, and in 2016 she was declared the CNN Super Hero: Above and Beyond!
Last year, she decided to bring music to the home, and into the lives of the dozens of children living there. She partnered with the Gharana Music Foundation in Kathmandu, and together they approached us here at ACG for support starting a guitar class.
We were thrilled to provide full access to our curriculum, training, guidance - anything we could do to help. Also, as we always do with new friends around the world, we created new arrangements of Nepali folk songs to add to our curriculum music library, so that the kids could learn to play songs they recognize.
We were delighted to learn of this beautiful video about the music education happening in this very special place.
The Artists of i/we
i/we brings together an international cast of world-class musicians and artists. Some are making their Austin-debut, while others are local talents, cherished the world over. We are so grateful for their commitment to this project, and for the unique artistry each one is contributing.
Grammy-winning Conspirare’s Craig Hella Johnson lends us his voice as both singer and narrator. He’s chosen the poetry that he'll recite throughout the concert, as well as the very first thing we’ll hear: a stirring folk song from Norway called I Sing of Your Mercies.
Two spectacular touring and recording artists, Sweden’s Håkan Rosengren (clarinet) and French cellist Louis-Marie Fardet of the Houston Symphony, will join us for the very first time. After her stunning performance in last year's summer series, New York-based violin virtuoso Jennifer Choi returns to share her prodigious talent. We also have two members of the acclaimed Texas Guitar Quartet—and former Austinites—Isaac Bustos and Alejandro Montiel.
Sometimes I fear that we lose sight of the human aspect of being a refugee. i/we gives a voice to people with diverse and often traumatic life experiences, and shines a light on what they have went through.” - Isaac Bustos
This project resonates strongly with Isaac, who was born in Nicaragua and came to the U.S. as a refugee at age 13. He told us, “i/we humanizes the refugee experience through music. I know what it’s like to have your entire life in limbo. As a child, being treated differently because of my refugee status was difficult. Sometimes I fear that we lose sight of the human aspect of being a refugee. i/we gives a voice to people with diverse and often traumatic life experiences, and shines a light on what they have went through.”
The music of i/we will begin at 8 p.m., but the lobby opens at 6:30 for an atrium exhibit that will include music boxes and paintings created by visual artist Yuliya Lanina. There will also be a selection of poems written by members of the Austin community, as well as a display of stories and quotes from the refugees interviewed for this project. Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
In expressing her enthusiasm for this project, Yuliya Lanina told us, “I came as a refugee from Russia in 1990, fleeing anti-Semitism and constant threats. The U.S. welcomed me and my family, and we were given the freedom to build our lives, without being punished for who we are. I believe in the power of projects like i/we…because music and art have a way to communicate with people that transcends language and borders."
Six months in the making, with many lifetimes of influences, we can’t wait to share i/we with you.
Purchase tickets here, or call us at 512-300-2247.
Donor Spotlight: John Henry McDonald
John Henry McDonald has led a remarkable life. After serving in Vietnam during the war, he spent time as a traveling musician, a ranch manager, and eventually founded Austin’s premiere asset management company. For over a decade, he has been a mentor to ACG’s Executive Director, Matt Hinsley, and currently serves as Vice-President of ACG's Board of Directors. We asked John Henry to tell us why he believes music education can make a difference in the lives of children.
One of ACG’s primary goals is to positively impact the lives of young people through the guitar. This aspect of our mission seems to resonate with you quite a bit. Can you tell us why?
The story of ACG and the work it does with kids is the story of my life.
When I was a kid, and my home was shattered, and my family life was confusing, guitar was there. After Vietnam, when I was shattered, and everything was confusing, guitar was there. Music is what got me through those tough years. When I finally got back on my feet after the war, I grabbed my guitar, found a harmonica player, and pretty soon we were opening for Waylon Jennings, Johnny Hammond Jr., and Sonny Terry. Through guitar, I learned how to perform, how to communicate with an audience, and most importantly, how to tell a story.
When I came to Austin, I was determined to keep my life together. I was told by a mentor to put the guitar away, and that was seminal. At the time it was what needed to happen for me to transition to the next phase of my life. And that’s when I founded Austin Asset Management.
When I got involved with ACG, I was in another transition. This time, I was selling Austin Asset Management, the company I had built and been running for decades. Once I learned about ACG’s education programs, I was drawn to the organization. I know that for some kids, guitar won’t mean anything. But for some it will be extremely important, and for others - like myself - it will be everything. I remember being 13 years old, lying in bed with a guitar on my chest, and I would play it until I fell asleep. Guitar was central to my life and has been my companion ever since. I give to this organization because music changed my life, and I’ve seen it change the lives of the kids we work with.
"With ACG, I can see my money doing good things, and that makes me want to keep on giving. I trust that when I pass on, the money I have left to this organization will continue to make an impact."
How did you decide to include the organization in your planned giving?
An old friend once told me that the hardest part about making money isn’t earning it — the hardest part is giving it away. It’s not that I don’t want to give, I’m happy to. But it was hard for me to find an organization I trusted. With ACG, I know I’ve found an organization where I can see my money at work – see the funds actually getting to the beneficiaries, the people the organization says it’s helping. When I met Matt Hinsley, ACG’s Executive Director, I realized immediately that he had a vision for nonprofit arts organizations, and for changing lives through music. I trusted him because it was never about this organization. It was always about giving to the community, and helping young people. Giving to ACG is easy. With ACG, I can see my money doing good things, and that makes me want to keep giving. I trust that when I pass on, the money I have left to ACG will continue to make an impact.
Could you talk a little bit about your involvement with Austin Community College, and the connection it has to ACG?
I’m on the board of ACC as well, and I love the connection we have with them. Dr. Tom Echols is teaching guitar there, and we send kids to him from our high school programs at Travis High School, Akins High School, and others. I know they’re going to get a great education. I love blending my giving – kids in ACG’s high school programs earn college credit by studying guitar at ACC while they’re still in high school, and that keeps their education moving forward. It’s huge for kids who don’t come from a context that would be able to financially support a college education. For some, college may never have seemed like an option. Guitar can provide a pathway to a higher education, and ACG helps make that happen.