The VCU Guitar Series will kick off Sunday with a performance by the Potomac Guitar Quartet at 4 p.m. in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.
The series, now in its 11th year, developed from the Guitar and Other Strings Series summer program and highlights classical and flamenco guitar players.
The Potomac Guitar Quartet will be the first in the series to perform. Members consist of Phil Mathieu, Jeff Meyerriecks, Peter Fields and Brian Litz. The group has been together for three years and all the members live along the Potomac River, which led to the name, said Litz will not be able to attend Sunday because of a pre-existing medical condition.
The Potomac Guitar Ensemble said they want to expose audiences to classical guitar because the style of playing has changed drastically in the past 20 years. Mathieu said the quartet incorporates old and new influences.
“All the influences of jazz, classical jazz, Latin, popular music and rock are combined with our instruments,” Mathieu said.
The Potomac Guitar Ensemble will play contemporary pieces written in the past 20 years and a number of original pieces they have arranged themselves. The ensemble will also play without the use of electronics or amplification, Mathieu said.
“Students will hear ensemble playing of the highest quality. Playing solo guitar is one thing, but to do it as an ensemble is a different thing. It’s quite a process when you’re working with other people,” said John Patykula, the assistant chair of the department and area coordinator for guitar programs.
Mathieu said playing in an ensemble is more difficult because musicians have to listen to different instruments and timing is crucial. Mathieu also said ensemble guitar requires the musician to be sensitive and react to what other people do.
The VCU Guitar Series takes place at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Art at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10.