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August Grand Canyon, Sedona Guitar getaway 2013 |  |
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Grand Canyon, Sedona Guitar getaway 2013 |
james Hunley |
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WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Tunes from the 1950s and '60s might represent what Route 66 is all about, but on Aug. 4 experience a different kind of sound when renowned classical guitarist James Hunley takes the Sultana Theatre stage. With a studio based in Los Angeles and concert tours that take the 48-year-old all over the world, life can get a little hectic. To return to a more spiritual balance, Hunley and his students retreat annually to the Grand Canyon. This year however, the group has decided to base themselves in Williams. "We are bringing up about 22 people to Williams this summer," Hunley said, who considers the small mountain town the most beautiful in the world. "We've stayed at the El Tovar a couple times and we actually like staying in Williams better, it's just a lot more fun. The restaurants and the people are so nice." American Flyer Coffee Shop owner Donya Hadder met Hunley back in February and, after seeing the stage inside, asked if he could set up some kind of informal recital. Hadder, excited about the possibility of bringing classical guitar to Williams, helped him book the Sultana Theatre. "He was just walking around downtown, stuck his head in and said 'this place is awesome,' she said. "He liked what the Flyer was doing in trying to bring in local artists and just at the time there were a whole lot of high school students in here playing the guitar, and he thought that was really cool and liked the community feel." During the recital at the Sultana Theatre, Hunley will play top 40 classical guitar pieces. In other words, contemporary compositions that have made the instrument famous. "The whole program will be filled with those types of pieces," Hunley said. "Also, I have almost a running dialogue with the audience so it's very fun. I spend a lot of time just chatting about pieces or sharing antecdotes. It's like classical guitar with humor." The next day at 11 a.m., Hunley's students will play an informal recital at American Flyer Coffee Shop. If you go, you'll hear similar pieces to what Hunley played the night before, along with some classics. "When I say students, there are no young people really, but most are actors, business people, computer programmers," he said. "They'll be playing pieces that they've been working on, all pretty accessible pieces of music." At 13-years-old, Hunley became passionate about the guitar. He said he would begin practice at 4 a.m. and pick it up again after school, playing late into the evening. While his family was living in San Angelo, Texas, the young Hunley performed in local restaurants where several patrons took note of his performance. One patron, the Hal Noelke family was so taken by his playing that they offered to sponsor his future studies. At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he gained a foundation in music technique, an aspect he would continue to explore and develop the historic techniques of the classical guitar masters. Over the years, he has woven those techniques into an individual style and interpretation. According to Hunley's website, a strong affirmation of Hunley's technical prowess on the guitar came years ago from Luthier John Gilbert, whose guitars are among the most sought after in the world. The waiting list for a Gilbert guitar is over 23 years away, but Hunley's impressive playing skill secured a guitar after just one. Presently, Hunley divides his time between performing and television/recording production. Hunley has hosted three seasons of the U.S. television shows that both instructs and communicates the internal dialogue of acoustic music. His second solo CD is now in its second pressing. Tickets are available for the Aug. 4 concert at American Flyer Coffee Shop. For more information, call (928) 464-3766.
Students and friends of the Classical guitar are getting together with James Hunley in Sedona and the Grand Canyon in August for a concert by James Hunley, Student concerts, Master classes, and an evening of guitar bingo. ( Winning guitar related prizes) and time to hang out play the guitar and make life long friends.
The Student concert will be in Williams Arizond on Sunday the 5th of August at THE AMERICAN FLYER COFFE HOUSE. The event is the week of August 3- 7 (or any part you can attend) @ the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and in the town of Sedona Arizona Rooms up there book fast so plan ahead. call us to coordinate. 323-464-3766 There is no charge to attend the gathering. Everyone with a love for the guitar is welcome to attend. The requirement is that you are there to support and encourage others. This is a week of friendship and bonding with people who love the guitar and an EGO FREE zone. We will be taping all who want to play at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in HD for free. limit to 30 people. We all want to thank Dr. William Chavez and Ed Kanemoto for kindly providing food for so may people at great restaurants last Year. These are great people that we are all so much better for knowing!! It was the first time many of our young guitarists have ever had such a cool trip and Ed and Will helped made it a special time and a great feast. If you are interested in going but not sure how to swing the costs, Get in touch with James Hunley. jameshunley@aol.com To reserve rooms for the guitar event go to, www.grandcanyonlodges.com Remember they book early so plan ahead, if you wait you can stay in the hotels outside of the park. The Anther lodges (the company who manages the Craned Canyon lodging) are right a at the edge of the canyon so it will be cool (in the 70's) and peaceful. Your guestbook playing the classical guitar. The group was formed by James Hunley andseveral of his long-time students to promote a better connection between the growing gap between talented, deserving young guitar players and public education’s growing opinion affected by budgetary constraints that the arts and music are not very a priority for young people. The PGS (the Peaceful Guitar Society) provides a bridge to young people who elect to pursue the classical guitar to explore their god given talents in playing the guitar, allow them to develop through guidance, allow them to learn from a supportive community, allowthem to contribute to society by performing in public and give them, if they choose, the tools to support themselves as career musicians or journeyman. From TheAcousticExperience.com sales go to support this organization as well as donations from friends. Our Vision is to help people live in a better world by playing classical guitar. We do this by inspiring peopleto join and participate in our communities. We bring guitar performance opportunities to our community by contributing to the less fortunate, the elderly and the ill at nursing homes, rehab centers, assisted living and hospitals. We encourage young people to participate and develop their playing and personal skills by providing travel / performance opportunities that help people improve their self image, confidence, social skills and positive outlook of the world. We also help aspiring artists with musical instruments and financial contributions in the form of college grants for those that aim to improve themselves by pursuing a career in music. We influence young people with a positive, peaceful, spiritual and giving influence. |
