Tidewater Guitar Orchestra – Virginia Commission for the Arts

About the Artist/Ensemble

The Tidewater Guitar Orchestra, one of the first of its kind in the United States, is an ensemble of more than a dozen accomplished guitarists who use the unique resources of a guitar orchestra with different sized instruments to explore a rich repertoire ranging from Bach to Bartok and specializing in music of the Americas. Founded in 1995 by Sam Dorsey, the Tidewater Guitar Orchestra was inspired by a similar orchestra in Costa Rica led by Luis Zumbado. The orchestra is composed of traditional classical guitars supplemented by requintos (soprano guitars tuned a fifth higher) and bajas (baritone guitars tuned a fourth lower). TGO has commissioned new works from composers including Andrew York and Ben Verdery, and is particularly honored to perform works written and arranged by its own members. The orchestra has made numerous appearances locally, including performances at the Falletta and Friends Concert presented by the Virginia Arts Festival, and represented the United States at the International Guitar Festival in Costa Rica in October of 1999 and again in 2010. TGO has produced two full-length recordings: “Prelude” and “Music of Europe and the Americas.”

Concert/Performance Description

The Tidewater Guitar Orchestra offers full-length concerts of up to 90 minutes. TGO concert programs include a variety of musical styles and works that are indicative of the vast range and reach of the guitars influence. This includes repertoire from South America, the Great American Songbook, and standards of classical music repertoire by composers such as Bach, Bartok, and Granados. Within the ensemble, there are soloist and ensembles available to add variety to each performance if desired. One of the most notable aspects of the ensemble is their ability to connect directly and effortlessly with audiences through their musical selections and storytelling from the stage.

Technical Requirements

N/A

Educational Programs

TGO is available for masterclasses, workshops, clinics and lectures in conjunction with performances. The group contains several professional guitarists who teach at regional universities and hold doctoral degrees in performance from schools including Shenandoah Conservatory, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.

Please inquire for educational program/workshop fees

Fees

Guitar Orchestra Concert: $3,000–5,000

Masterclass, workshop, clinic, lecture, or small group performance—Please inquire

Travel and accommodation expenses to be determined by service and location

Categories: Music