NEWS NEWS NEWS!!!!!
Ian Watt wins silver medal.....congratulations!
Parkening International Guitar Competition Names 2009 Winners
Malibu , Calif. , May 31--Christopher Parkening and Pepperdine University today announced the winner of the second triennial Parkening International Guitar Competition. Emanuele Buono, 21, of Italy won the prestigious competition with his stirring performance of Concerto no. 1 in D Major by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at Pepperdine's Smothers Theatre during the final round on Saturday, May 30. He received the $30,000 Stotsenberg Prize and Gold Medal from benefactor Dorothy Stotsenberg of Malibu , Calif.
The Parkening International Guitar Competition, the world's preeminent guitar competition with the largest prize purse of any classical guitar competition, took place from May 28 through May 30, 2009.
After winning the Gold Medal, Buono said, "It feels like a dream. I can't believe it." Talking about the pressure he felt during the final round he commented, "I was less tense after the performance because I felt I played very well."
The Silver Medalist, Ian Watt, 18, of Scotland , received $12,500 in addition to his medal; the Bronze Medalist, Juuso Nieminen, 29, of Finland , was awarded $7,500.
The three finalists, Buono, Watt, and Nieminen, were selected from a pool of 15 standout competitors, and each performed a concerto with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under the baton of celebrated conductor Alondra de la Parra. The winner was announced after a short deliberation by the judging panel.
The three, along with Rafael Aguirre Minarro, 24, of Spain and Silviu Ciulei, 23, of Romania , competed in the semi-final round on May 29.
All of the competitors performed on the first full day of the competition (May 28); five semi-finalists were then selected to proceed to the second day. The competitors performed required and free-choice repertoire and were judged on musicianship, tone, technique, and stage presence.
The distinguished panel of five judges, representing different areas of the classical music world, were Nancy Allen, principal harpist with the New York Philharmonic; Manuel Barrueco, world-famous guitar virtuoso; Stephanie L. Challener, publisher of Musical America Worldwide ; Thomas Frost, Grammy Award-winning record producer; and Costa Pilavachi, former president of EMI Classics.
The North East Scotland Classical Guitar Society (NESCGS) is pleased to announce the winner of its
2008/2009 NESCGS Recital Competition
The winner of the 2008/09 award to an RSAMD student was won by Sofia Pyrounaki. The more observant amongst you will spot that Sofia was already booked for our Xmas Recital, so we will have two visits from her this season (a nice problem to have).
There were 9 entrants (originally 10 but Ian Watt had to withdraw due to illness). The judging panel was Ben Verdery, Peter Argondizza and myself . The standard was very high and selecting the winner was a tough option. However, a choice was made. I can assure you that we would have been happy with any of the entrants.
Peter Stock, NESCGS Chairman
Ian Watt Success 
It was with great pleasure and pride that we watched one of our society member's, Ian Watt , strut his stuff on national TV ("Classical Star" BBC2) this week. Although Ian did not win the ultimate prize, there were many successes all around:
Ian played as well as I have heard him (despite how little playing from any participant was actually transmitted) especially under such demanding circumstances. Ian also came across as the natural, easy going , humble chap we have come to know in the society and the TV shows captured this side of him well. Ian will have done his own profile considerable good, as with all of the original 18 participants.
It was great to see the classical guitar on national TV, When was the last time you can remember seeing that? Hopefully, this wider exposure will make a generation of people aware of a style of guitar they genuinely ne ver knew existed. It could only do our instrument good and should raise interest.
The competition was based on truly talented players. There is probably an impression in society , supported by the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, that any flatfooted athlete can achieve some competence in the arts by intensive training. In Classical Star, these were hard - won talents and skills from dedicated young people.
In summary, the society would like to congratulate Ian for his successes on these many fronts. As we said at our inaugural concert in Oct 2005 where Ian played for us, we would be able to brag about knowing and hearing Ian before he was famous. But I guess none of us thought the bragging opportunities would happen quite so soon. We look forward to saying the same about some of our other younger members like Ross and Sean in the near future.
Well done Ian!!!
Peter Stock 'Society Chairman'
Committee members Peter Stock and Les Stewart with Scott Tennant of LAGQ at the Dundee Guitar Festival.
Dundee Festival was a roaring success. Many society members were among the lucky partipants at the festival, enjoying the wonderful concerts and masterclasses on offer. The society would like to thank all involved especially Mr Neave (our patron), and the staff, tutors and performers for their support, tuition and entertainment during the festival.
Members and visitors
It gives me great pleasure to advise you that Allan Neave has agreed to become the Patron of The NESCGS
Although patronage is a somewhat nebulous term, our fundamental desire is to forge closer links with Allan. As we are the only classical guitar society in Scotland and Allan is Scotland 's most prominent performer and exponent, we feel a closer relationship is natural and appropriate and will hopefully create benefits for both he and us. I hope you will all agree with me that this is an important next step in the growth of our fledgling society.
Keep plucking ... Peter Stock (NESCGS Chairman)
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