ACG at 35: From Tony Mariano
It’s a joy today to share the second in our series of reflections on the impact of Austin Classical Guitar over the course of its 35 years.
We’d love to hear from you, too! If you have a story to share, just email [email protected]
Learn more about supporting ACG here.
Dr. Tony Mariano is our beloved Director of Community Education here at ACG, but as you’ll discover his connection to us started far away a long time ago. Here’s his story:
I first heard of ACG as an 18-year-old growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was 2011 and New Mexico was hosting its second-ever guitar all-state event. Matt Hinsley was our guest clinician.
I remember sitting with my guitar, watching Matt conduct, loving how he led with feeling and intention, asking us to connect with the deeper expressive elements – all the really good stuff!
These rehearsals are all-day things. For lunch everyone goes off on their own, but I remember Matt–in the midst of making lunch plans with the event hosts–look over at me as I was hanging around, and asking, “Hey Tony, do you want to come to lunch with us?”
While that might seem like a small gesture, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. He included me. He made me feel important, like I mattered, like I was a part of this with him.
At that point, I had been fortunate enough to experience the beauty of community in art making. But I had also experienced exclusion and elitism–music making for the purpose of prestige. That can be a hard space; it doesn’t always feel very good. But that’s not Matt, and that’s not ACG.
While I sat at lunch–a high school senior eating with the all-state guest clinician from Texas and event hosts–I heard about a vision of music as a force for good in the world. I heard music spoken about as a service. And I loved that. I felt like I was included in something great, even if it was just for that moment. That inclusion, that implicit “come with us and do beautiful things,” I would later learn is at the core of everything that is ACG.
Fast forward a decade, and I was lucky enough to be working on this amazing team. I’ve since realized that the very fabric of ACG is woven to create a space for including others, to help us all realize that we are capable of experiencing and making beauty. I see it in our work with schools, finding ways to make students of all levels feel included in a process of authentic music making. I see it in our work with the community, involving lovers of music in an experience that reaches amazing levels of artistry and expression. I see it in our work within the juvenile justice system, where kids are reminded that they are more than just their mistakes, and that they’re just as much a part of this creative community as everyone else.
So thank you, ACG, for 35 years of making me, and everyone in our community, feel included in something special and unique. And thank you to everyone who has supported what we’ve done over these last three and a half decades, because you make this space possible.
Tony Mariano
ACG at 35: From Angelica
One of the wondrous things about music is that it welcomes us all on our own terms, each in our own way. For the next few Fridays we’ll share some different perspectives on ACG and its impact these past 35 years.
We’d love to hear your story! If you have something to share, please send it to [email protected]
Learn more about supporting ACG here.
Our first reflection is from Angelica Campbell, who is celebrating five years as our Director of Communications. But our relationship began long before that. We hope you enjoy her story.
My history with ACG goes back to my 7th grade mariachi class at Bedichek Middle School in South Austin in 2012. That year I participated in All City, an event where students audition for parts in a large ensemble, rehearse, then perform for our friends and families. I was invited to try out for that experience by the man who is now our current Director of Curriculum, Phil Swasey. At the time, though, he was beginning his first year of teaching Mariachi at Bedichek.
Enthralled by the All City experience, I joined the guitar program at Crockett High School. I graduated in just three years by which time I was deeply invested in both guitar and mariachi. Those classes shifted my path in life in the best of ways. It feels divine, the way things played out.
At that time, I was struggling with depression. Coming from a low-income household and a dysfunctional family, I didn’t know how to process or cope with adversity. It impacted me heavily, but coming to my guitar or mariachi class was the highlight of my week. My friends and I even spent most of our lunches in the music room. It was a safe space.
Crockett’s instructor, Ron Hare–who is still such a special mentor in my life–made the classroom environment feel safe and accepting. I felt comfortable being myself, and could process what I was going through expressively. I met some of my longest-lasting friends in those classes– friendships I still hold close to this day.
I had many special moments thanks to ACG. We had the chance to open up for the Assad Duo. We opened for Ana Vidovic at the Guitars Under the Stars gala. And I got to participate in a master class with Berta Rojas that was documented by PBS, just to name a few!
When graduation approached, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. I was desperate for an experience outside of the one I was having so I pushed hard to graduate early. Ron inspired me to dream up meaningful goals and suggested the idea of going to music school, something I likely would have never thought to do on my own.
I wasn’t in a place to afford the instrument and lessons I would need to take music seriously. Ron assured me that it was possible and nudged me to try. He then introduced me to Matt Hinsley and Travis Marcum. That moment of connection changed everything.
Within weeks, I was given a donated guitar and began private lessons at Crockett with Joseph Palmer, another very special mentor who I am grateful to still be connected to. I dedicated months to preparing for auditions and earned the opportunity to study at the Butler School of Music at UT Austin in Adam Holzman’s guitar studio for my undergrad.
Music school was really difficult in the beginning with my relative inexperience. It was scary. I doubted myself a lot and debated stopping. Both Matt and Travis continued to check in on me, however, and offered support in any way I needed. I cannot express how much that added fuel to my flame. It meant the world to me. Throughout my studies ACG offered volunteer opportunities, gigs, and eventually two internships both in the office and in the classroom.
All the while I was still having amazing, one-of-a-kind, spectacular concert experiences! I got to participate in ACG’s 2018 collaborative film project, Dream, open up for the Brasil Guitar Duo at the very last Guitar Under the Stars gala in Feb. 2020, participate in Master Classes with Andrew Zohn, David Leisner, and Les Fres Meduses Duo at UT, and have paid performance opportunities to name a few.
Since graduating from UT, I’ve continued to grow and transform through ACG. I have had the opportunity over the last five years to learn new skills– communications and marketing– I’ve continued to witness and be part of beautiful and unique musical moments, make more life-changing connections, witness other young people experience things and transform like I did, and have the opportunity and blessing to live off my passion.
Life at ACG feels abundant. I’m grateful that my path crossed here. I’m grateful for the entire ACG family and community. I’m grateful and excited to see how much the organization has evolved and how much is accomplished every single day.
Thank you for going down memory lane with me.
With gratitude,
Angelica Campbell
35 Years at a Glance: A timeline of milestones
Celebrating 35 Years of Austin Classical Guitar
Our mission is to inspire individuals in our community through experiences of deep personal significance. Our changes agents are beauty, kindness, and creative spark. In 35 years we are proud and grateful to have made a deep impact on 10,000s of people near and far, built new technology that has changed American music education, and deepened our belief in the power of music to make lasting, positive change in the world. Here are a few highlights:
1990 ACG Begins => Today it’s the largest classical guitar nonprofit in US history.
1996 Matthew Hinsley first joins ACG as Board President => Executive Director 2003.
1997 International Artists Concerts => Over $10m paid to artists & educators.
1998 Community Concerts => Over 800 concerts with ~60,000 audience.
1999 Community Orchestra => 3 adult orchestras, festivals, 25-year members.
2001 Education => Guitar education in over 500 schools with over 100,000 students.
2002 Free Lessons => 1,000+ low-income students receive free weekly lessons.
2006 First New Commission => Over 300 new works, $10,000s to composers.
2008 GuitarCurriculum.com => First-ever comprehensive classroom guitar resource.
2009 National Teacher Training => 40+ TX districts, 30+ US states, 10+ nations.
2010 Juvenile Justice => TX first and only for-credit performing arts, 500+ served.
2011 TX School for the Blind & Visually Impaired => Groundbreaking service.
2013 Performance Engagement => Joseph Palmer plays 50 school concerts/year.
2013 Youth Orchestra => 4 orchestras, annual tours, commissions, 200+ youth.
2014 Music & Healing => 100+ songs written with patients, 1,000+ healing hours.
2015 Concert & Sight Reading Contest => First-ever for guitar, now in six cities.
2016 Global Services => Mexico, Nicaragua, Nepal, Uganda, and more.
2017 Braille Lifelong Learning => First-ever, used worldwide.
2018 Artist In Residence => $100K+ on major community-based art projects.
2020 Livestream Series => 400+ videos, 2.5m+ views.
2022 Rosette Opens => First and only classical guitar theater in US history.
2023 Method Books => GuitarCurriculum adds printed volumes, 1,500+ in use.
2024 Student Portal/Spanish Language Support => GuitarCurriculum expands.
2025 Student Data => AISD shows ACG students consistently outperform peers.
Gracias a la Vida
https://youtu.be/W7eftJFc_vg?feature=shared
Our hearts are with our dear central Texas friends and neighbors in the aftermath of last weekend’s catastrophic flooding.
Today we would like to offer this song, Gracias a la Vida, by Chilean musician Violeta Parra. It was performed last season in The Rosette by Azul Barrientos and Joseph Palmer - one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever heard.
If you would like to donate to help those suffering in our area, here is a KUT guide to organizations helping on the ground.
The English translation of Gracias a la Vida is:
Thank you to life, that has given me so much
it has given me two bright stars that when they are shown
I can perfectly distinguish black from white
and on the sky, their big starry sky
and in the crowd, the man that I love
Thank you to life, that has given me so much
It has given me the ear that in all its width
Every night and day
Crickets and canaries, hammers, turbines, barks, rain
and the very sweet voice of my good lover
Thank you to life, that has given me so much
It has given me the stride of my tired feet
with which I walked through cities and puddles
Beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
and the house of yours, your street and your backyard
Thank you to life, that has given me so much
It has given me laughter and it has given me crying
So I can distinguish blessings from brokenness
The two ingredients that make up my chants
and your chants, that are the same chants
and everyone's chants, that are my own chants
Thank you to life
Austin Public Library Tour with the Baker 4
This past spring, as part of our season finale, GIVE featuring Pepe Romero, three student quartet groups formed to perform with the guitar legend on The Rosette stage.
Now, one of those ambitious groups is going on an Austin library tour and we could not be more excited to invite you to join us for it!
The Baker 4, featuring incredible young artists Jianna Zamora, Greg Sonnier, Teddy McCoy, and their wonderful teaching artist, Alex Lew will be having performances at the Carver, Spicewood Springs, Southeast, and Howson branches beginning next week June 25 to July 2!
Find concert details here. Learn more about ACG Community Centered Art Making here.
Following their incredible collaboration with a world renown guitar legend, Pepe Romero, the Baker 4 had an ambitious desire and dedication to continue making music together.
They’re going on tour! They will be visiting four Austin Public Library branches over the next two weeks and we are so pumped to watch it happen.
The Baker 4 features three incredible guitarists, Jianna Zamora, Greg Sonnier, Teddy McCoy, and ACG Teaching Artist, Alex Lew.
They met through the ACG Youth Orchestra and were asked to prepare music to be performed alongside Pepe Romero in ACG’s season finale of 2025. In this setting, Alex was a place-holder for Pepe until the concerts took place. He worked with these three young artists deeply and helped shape their musicianship over the course of a year!
This week we had the opportunity to speak with Alex more about what this experience was like and this is what he had to share with us,
“I have had the honor of working with these three young artists on a weekly basis with intensive rehearsals that cover a variety of chamber music ideals. Some of the ideals consist of the art of matching tone and dynamics, lining up rhythmically, and making musical decisions that we all enjoy. I have enjoyed hearing the student’s opinions on how a phrase should be shaped and we make musical decisions democratically. To be able to perform in a chamber music setting requires a significant amount of preparation in order to sound as one unit and they would always show up prepared and ready to take the music to the next step!
Two moments really shine to me when I look back on my experiences with the Baker 4. The first was when I enlisted them to perform at my chamber music recital, which is in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. I remember being on stage with them and feeling completely at ease. We all trust each other’s playing to the degree where we can relax and have fun making music, even in a high pressure situation. I was incredibly proud of this moment and it was truly inspiring to be a part of the group, let alone lead it.
Another special moment was when we were on the way back from the ACGYO’s West Texas tour. The three of them were sitting in the back of the van and spontaneously decided to compete in the Texas State guitar competition as a trio. In about one or two weeks, they were able to put together a program and perform it in a competition setting with no formal coaching. I was in awe when they ran through their program for me with how together they were and all of the deep musical choices that they incorporated to the piece. They ended up winning second place in the festival!
Our most recent project is to record a selection of music that will be used on the guitar curriculum website. These recordings will give the teachers and students an idea of how the music should sound and be performed regarding the balance of the parts, dynamics, rubato, and other musical characteristics. This repertoire is written in three parts, so the Baker 4 will be the Baker 3 in this session.
I’m really looking forward to playing our quartet music, as that has been a source of joy for me this last year. However, I’m more excited to be able to witness them perform as a trio without me. The growth that I have seen from these young artists has been tremendous in just a year’s time. To be able to play at this level takes an enormous amount of dedication and passion. These aspects are surely to be witnessed in their tour this summer.”
We’re so excited to continue to witness these young musicians perform beautiful music and grow into ambitious and hardworking young adults. We’d love to have you at any of the shows with us! Find details below:
Wednesday, June 25 at the Carver Branch from 5-6 pm
Thursday, June 26 at the Spicewood Springs Branch from 2-3 pm
Friday, June 27 at the Southeast Branch from 5:30-6:30 pm
Wednesday, July 2 at the Howson Branch from 6-7 pm
ACGYO Give Tour on Film!
Recognized as one of the most outstanding ensembles of its kind, the Austin Classical Guitar Youth Orchestra (ACGYO) is an auditioned ensemble of exceptional young guitarists from Austin, Texas. Under the direction of Dr. Joe Williams, the ACGYO has performed for thousands in Austin’s most prestigious venues and in guest appearances at The San Francisco Conservatory, Outpost Performance Space (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Las Torres de Cotillas Flamenco Festival (Murcia, Spain) and the Antonio de Torres Museo de la Guitarra (Almeria, Spain).
Our members are Kritanko Chakraborty, Satvik Chawla, Eleanora Mason, Teddy McCoy, Noah Melendrez, Kian Mitchell, Nima Moin, Miles Notzon, Greg Sonnier Archith Venkatagiri, & Jianna Zamora with Director Joe Williams & Assistant ACGYO Director Alex Lew.
Learn more here. Support the ACGYO here.
This spring, the ACG Youth Orchestra went on a beautiful tour across West Texas, driven by a simple but powerful idea: the act of giving is a cause for celebration.
As part of ACG’s 2024–25 season, GIVE, these extraordinary young musicians traveled to Fredericksburg, Alpine, Marfa, and San Antonio, using their talents to raise funds for local organizations working to make their communities better.
Along the way, the group made time to connect with the land and each other. One especially meaningful stop was Big Bend National Park, where they filmed a stunning music video at the Rio Grande in Boquillas Canyon. The experience included a hike, a swim, and a whole lot of joy.
Not only that, but a documentary was even put together about this wondrous experience, directed by Nick Hurt. It’s filled with breathtaking scenery, gorgeous music, and heartfelt reflections from the artists and we’re so excited to share it with you.
Inspired by our 2024-25 season theme, GIVE, and guided by the belief that music can be a powerful catalyst for acceptance, hope, and joy, this tour celebrated the idea of the gifts that each of us can choose to share and an invitation to notice how these gifts transform over the course of our lives.
Throughout the journey, members of the ACGYO reflected on what it means to give, to grow, and to share.
“...I love giving in every opportunity I get, that’s how I show love really. I think it's powerful… That's why we live right? It's all about community as humans” - Noah Melendrez
Watch the full documentary and hear more from the ACGYO members below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpWEObvn_oc
Whether in song, friendship, or a moment of reflection beneath desert skies, these young artists offered their gifts with open hearts and we’re so proud to share their story with you.
Thank you for being part of our community and sharing your gifts of presence, support, and joy along the way.
This journey would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many generous partners and friends:
Production support for this music video is generously provided by
Monkee-Boy Web Design, ACG’s web development partner for over twenty years
Huge thank you to our production team:
Nick Hurt, Video Director
Nicolas Westerlink & Ashton Haines, Video Crew
Todd Waldron & Dan Childers, Audio engineers
Jordan Sanchez, ACG Coordinator
Special thanks to Mayor Jeryl Hoover & The Fredericksburg Theater Company, Katie Kizzar & Rachel Fuechsl at the McDonald Observatory Haley Levin, Sensorea & The Chinati Foundation, Dr. Andrew Alegria at Sul Ross University, Leon Paczkowski, Paul Stautinger & Austin Community College as well as Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, Dr. Matthew Dasco, Eve Crawford White, Jeremy Powley & UT Health San Antonio.
GIVE: Together We Bring Beauty into the World
There’s something remarkable about watching music pass through generations. Not just in the notes themselves, but in the way passion, wisdom, and connection are handed down, shaping lives along the way.
A year in the making, GIVE was a radiant testament to the spirit of generosity between generations, across cultures, and through music itself.
Earlier this month, our 2024-25 Season, GIVE, came to a close with a remarkable concert.
Inspired by our season theme: Give, brought together the legendary Pepe Romero, ACG’s Artist-in-Residence, with nine young guitarists from Austin to perform in three quartets where Pepe joined as the fourth member performing music written and performed by the Romero family.
The Give Quartets featured The Palmer Trio with Paul Devens, Noah Melendrez & Kian Mitchell The Orpheus Trio: Satvik Chawla, Allen Liu & Brandon Kim, and The Baker 3: Jianna Zamora, Teddy McCoy & Greg Sonnier.
They were coached by teaching artists Joseph Palmer, Stephen Krishnan & Alex Lew with support from Joe Williams, Travis Marcum & Tony Mariano over the past year. For the concerts themselves, these dedicated mentors stepped aside, and Pepe Romero joined in their place.
The concerts were breathtaking, a radiant testament to the spirit of generosity between mentors and students, parents and children, generations and cultures. Not only did these young artists share music with one of the greatest living legends of classical guitar, but they did so through the very repertoire created and passed down through Pepe’s own family.
After the final concert, we gathered with the ensembles and Maestro Romero to reflect and celebrate. Among the moving words shared were reflections from the students themselves.
Noah Melendrez, a member of the Palmer Trio, reflected with,
“This has been probably the coolest thing I have ever done. It was about nine months ago that I got a random email from ACG mentioning working with Pepe Romero and I was in disbelief. Over the past year, I loved working with my quartet and it’s really bittersweet being here now at the end of this project and looking back on it. I've gotten to know people better and spend more time with people I haven’t spent more time with already and I will never forget this. This was so special so thank you.”
His ensemble mate, Kian Mitchell, added:
“Last august, we sat down and began playing together and it was amazing how quickly we started communicating between each other and our mentor, Joseph Palmer. It was a lot of fun learning the music in general, but so much fun to collaborate together to make it our own. When we met Pepe for this first time in October, it enhanced our connection with the music even more by understanding the story behind what we were playing. This experience overall helped me become a better musician and communicator and I'm grateful.”
And then, Maestro Pepe Romero shared something unforgettable.
“I have been for a long time completely passionate about the work that’s been done by Austin Classical Guitar. When we started talking about doing the residency and deciding what that was going to be, I don’t remember how we came to the details of forming the guitar quartets, but for me—this came at a very important time.
In 1961, my family and I started the first classical guitar quartet, and we have continued to perform together ever since. Due to my brother’s health challenges recently, we were unsure that we would still be able to play our next concert. But from hearing this music—you playing this music—he was inspired to continue.
I’ve been a soloist and quartet member my whole life, and I think playing in guitar ensembles is so unique and beautiful because everyone is doing exactly the same thing, but creating something so much bigger than ourselves.
When I was a child, I was listening to my father play music written by Francisco Tárrega’s students. That tradition has continued—Tárrega, his students, my father, me, and now, you. You are the fifth generation of that Spanish tradition. And you have beautifully understood and expressed Spanish music not just technically, but emotionally—with your heart, your ideas, your stories.
I hope I’ve helped guide you to see that every note you play should carry a piece of your soul. Whether it's the right note or a wrong one doesn’t matter—what matters is the intention. Each of you has done this brilliantly throughout the entire process. I have connected with each of your hearts, and I will carry a part of each of you in mine.
I hope the memory of this project, and of working with me, helps you love music. Never fear it. Music is here to heal us. Music is here to uplift us. Whether you're in front of an audience, in an ensemble, or playing alone in your home—let your music always bring beauty and love into the world.
I have done this for many years. Now it is your turn. Carry it into the future. Don’t lose the purity that’s in your hearts right now. Make that purity become sound—become phrases—become music.
Preparation is important, yes—but we prepare with a purpose. To carry a deeper meaning. To heal, to give hope, to show gratitude, and to bring out the best in each other.
I think these four concerts have done that for all of us—me included. I hope you have learned from me at least a portion of what I have learned from you. And I love you all, very much.”
It was a profound way to close our season. The Give Quartets project was about far more than performance. It was about legacy. About connection. And most of all, it was about the deep, transformative power of music passed from one heart to another.
From all of us at ACG, thank you for being part of this journey.
Watch all nine students perform with Pepe in this piece, EL VITO
https://youtu.be/pXYmaCEzbxM?feature=shared
From Travis Marcum: 100 Songs of Healing
We dream of a world where music is here for everyone, connecting us, inspiring us, and bringing joy and meaning wherever it goes. We are having our Fall fund drive here at ACG and it’s because of our community and supporters that we are able to share stories like this. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
At ACG, we believe in the power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives. This mission has guided our work for over a decade, especially through our Music & Healing program, led by ACG’s Carol Jean Mosher Knupp Director of Education and Music & Healing, Travis Marcum. We’ve recently passed making 100 songs in this program! Here’s a beautiful letter from Travis in celebration of this huge milestone:
I keep you strong. You keep me strong…
It’s a simple sentiment rooted in the idea that everyone needs support, love, and kindness to get through the challenges of being. To me, it’s the recognition that we all experience some chapters of life that present intense hardship and others that bring periods of joy and energy. In the darkness of the lows, I need you. On top of the sunny peaks, I give you my hand.
I Keep You Strong, You Keep Me Strong is a song written ten years ago by a sixteen-year-old mom named Grace for her new baby. It’s now one of over 100 songs that ACG Music and Healing artists have facilitated and written with community members in partnership with over a dozen local hospitals, clinics, and social service organizations. The chorus for Grace’s song has become somewhat of a theme for ACG Music and Healing. It’s why we do the work. It’s the spark that keeps us connected, safe, and strong enough to push through together.
Since 2014, nineteen ACG Music and Healing Artists have spent countless hours with new friends who are navigating things like cancer treatment, mental health diagnoses, addiction, parenthood, and many more. The Artist’s gift is creating a musical pathway for expression. We provide a safe place in song to put intense feelings like joy, pain, despair or loneliness. The participant offers their story, the poetry of their life experience. They make all of the decisions about what they want their song to sound like. And together we recognize the beauty, we all get a little more connected, and we all feel a little better because of it.
As I listen back to each of the 100 songs, I am struck by how precious they are… the individual stories expressed in such a beautiful context. I want to thank every Music and Healing participant for putting your trust in us and making something truly beautiful.
You can listen to our library of Music & Healing songs here.
As we pass ten years and 100 songs at ACG Music & Healing, I’d like to thank all of our friends like you who have believed in us and in the power of music and kindness to do good in the world.
We did this together.
GIVE: Sharing Music Through the Generations
There’s something remarkable about watching music pass through generations. Not just in the notes themselves, but in the way passion, wisdom, and connection are handed down, shaping lives along the way.
This weekend, our season finale will celebrate exactly that. Inspired by our season theme: Give, is the centerpiece of our season that brings together the legendary Pepe Romero, ACG’s Artist-in-Residence, with nine young guitarists from Austin to perform in three quartets where Pepe joins as the fourth member performing music written and performed by the Romero family.
A year in the making, GIVE is a radiant testament to the spirit of generosity between generations, across cultures, and through music itself. Watch the livestream here.
Every once in a while, a project comes along that feels truly extraordinary; where the power of music, the generosity of mentorship, and the beauty of human connection all shine at once. Our season finale this weekend is one of those projects.
As we look forward to GIVE, the culmination of our 2024–25 season, we had the chance this week to speak with one of the young performers, Paul, and his father, Robert. Two voices on either side of a remarkable journey that has unfolded over the past year.
Paul is one of nine exceptional young guitarists from Austin who have spent the year preparing for this moment: performing alongside the legendary Pepe Romero, ACG’s Artist-in-Residence, in three original guitar quartets.
The Give Quartets feature The Palmer Trio with Paul Devens, Noah Melendrez & Kian Mitchell The Orpheus Trio: Satvik Chawla, Allen Liu & Brandon Kim, and The Baker 3: Jianna Zamora, Teddy McCoy & Greg Sonnier.
They were coached by teaching artists Joseph Palmer, Stephen Krishnan & Alex Lew with support from Joe Williams, Travis Marcum & Tony Mariano over the past year but will be replaced with Pepe himself as the fourth member for this weekend’s shows.
For Robert, a lifelong guitarist who’s played for fun since he was seven, watching his son Paul step into an opportunity like this has been deeply meaningful.
“It makes me feel incredibly proud,” he shared, “especially knowing how much he’s put into it; balancing quartet rehearsals, private lessons, and school. The chance to perform with Pepe is definitely the major milestone so far.”
Pepe is, of course, an icon in the classical guitar world, and worked closely with nine of Austin’s most dedicated young guitarists in the fall and again this week in preparation for this weekends concerts. Paul describes the experience as transformative,
“While it has been a lot of work involving weekly rehearsals and extra music to work on, preparing and playing with my quartet has been lots of fun. Seeing our hard work come together to produce beautiful music has been extremely rewarding.
When we played together with Pepe for the first time, everything clicked in a very satisfying way. Cues weren’t even needed, we simply let the music speak for itself, and all the gestures we intended to make came into focus.
My favorite thing about this experience by far is the unspoken connection between the musicians. There is an electricity that all members of an ensemble feel when they are truly playing together and listening to the music they are making. That connection is completely unique.”
This weekend’s performances are the culmination of a year-long project rooted in our season theme: Give. It’s a radiant testament to the spirit of generosity, between mentors and students, parents and children, generations and cultures. Not only are these students connecting and sharing music with one of the biggest guitar legends in the world, but the music they’ll be performing comes from the Romero family’s own legacy! Compositions passed down and now passed on.
Robert put it best:
“I’m really looking forward to hearing how beautifully everything comes together! The shows they did with Pepe in the fall were amazing to me, as were the practice performances at the Ruiz library last weekend with their teachers. I know that the shows this weekend with Pepe will be an incredible experience of music and emotion. I know this experience will have a lasting effect on Paul’s musicianship and life more generally. The benefits will last far beyond the shows this weekend.”
Unfortunately, this concert is SOLD OUT. But we will be live-streaming the Saturday, May 3 8pm show! RSVP to watch here.
Celebrating 25 Years of Community Ensembles!
This year marks 25 years of Austin Classical Guitar’s Community Ensembles, a program that began with a small group of passionate guitarists and has grown into a vibrant, multi-generational family of musicians who meet weekly to rehearse, connect, and share the joy of ensemble music-making!
Join us tomorrow, April 26, in celebration of the 25th year anniversary of ACG Community Ensembles at St Martin's Lutheran Church at 8pm! At the heart of the program is the premiere of Superheroes!, a bold and imaginative new piece inspired by the Marvel universe composed by the critically acclaimed composer and founder of Golden Hornet, Graham Reynolds. This new work is inspired by the Marvel Universe and was commissioned by ACG to commemorate this special anniversary of our ensembles with the support of Karrie & Tim League and Richard Linklater & Detour Filmproduction. RSVP here.
Learn more about our Community Ensembles here. Support ACG here.
Our Community Ensembles include players from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and skill levels, and over the years they’ve performed everything from Bach to brand new works written just for them. At the heart of this program is the simple idea that playing music with others brings people together. And it has, season after season, for 25 years.
To celebrate this milestone, we sat down with three longtime members, John Garcia, Raj Randeri, and Jay Clement, who have each been long time members in the ensembles! Their reflections reveal the deep impact this program has had on individuals and the community at large.
John joined the ACG Community Ensemble around 2004, after a childhood surrounded by music and years of private study in jazz, classical, and fingerstyle guitar. What kept him coming back season after season?
“The ensemble is many things. It's a way for me to stay connected to my family background, and it's the band room experience I didn't have in school,” he shared. “It’s also a great opportunity for an amateur player like myself to be part of something larger; resembling a Community or Civic Orchestra, but for guitars!”
For Raj, who began playing rock and metal guitar in junior high before discovering classical guitar through Segovia and lessons at UT Austin, the joy has been both musical and social.
“I have really enjoyed the friends that I have made through the ensemble,”
When we asked what stood out as particularly meaningful across their years in the group, all three members shared powerful memories,
Jay recalled Austin Pictures, a major production with the Miro Quartet, Eduardo Fernandez, and a massive guitar orchestra conducted by Maestro Peter Bay.
“It was inspiring watching Maestro Bay conduct,” Jay said. “And to be a part of such great music... It was my first exposure to Dr. Joe Williams, who has since become a friend and colleague.”
Raj remembered an unforgettable rehearsal moment from Presence, ACG’s 2024 season centerpiece.
“During the first large rehearsal for To the Sky with the singers, it was magical,” he said. “We were all looking at each other while we were playing, just amazed at how beautiful it sounded. It gave me chills. At the end of the piece, you could tell everyone felt the same way. We were all stunned.”
For John, the most remarkable moments came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the ensemble moved online and continued to rehearse and grow.
“The COVID years stand out the most because this group stuck together online over video for two seasons,” he reflected. “That ACG attracted people to join a virtual guitar ensemble and stick with it says a lot about what ACG built with this program and their dedication to it.”
Each of these guitarists emphasized not only the joy of playing, but the relationships they’ve built along the way.
“I get most of my musical joy from collaborating with others,” Jay said. “A lifetime of being in choirs and singalongs has prepared me to listen and blend—this is my element. I’ve made many lasting friendships through the Ensemble, and that is the most precious thing of all.”
As we look back on 25 years of music, friendship, and growth, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible individuals who’ve helped shape this program—from our first members, to our newest ones, to the many teaching artists, composers, and conductors who’ve inspired us along the way.
Here’s to the next 25 years!
This Saturday, April 26, we are celebrating this quarter decade with a big spectacular concert at St Martin's Lutheran Church at 8pm!
The program is the premiere of Superheroes!, a bold and imaginative new piece inspired by the Marvel universe composed by the critically acclaimed composer and founder of Golden Hornet, Graham Reynolds. This new work is inspired by the Marvel Universe and was commissioned by ACG to commemorate this special anniversary of our ensembles with the support of Karrie & Tim League and Richard Linklater & Detour Filmproduction. RSVP here.
We happen to have a SNEAK PEAK of one of the movements!
The ACG Youth Orchestra went on tour in March and recorded Graham's Powerman in Big Bend National Park and we just finished post production this week.
Check out these amazing young people performing next to the Rio Grande River with vistas of Mexico and the U.S. Huge thanks to Nick Hurt for the support in making this happen!
https://youtu.be/7YlQQan2gIY