A concert series that brings the finest in Local, National and International Classical Guitarists to Brantford and surrounding areas.

”If I can make one person happy with my music that is enough for me. If that person can share that happiness, even just with a smile to someone else, we are making the world a better place way beyond our imagination" (Johannes Möller)

he Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller has captivated audiences throughout the world with charismatic and soulful performances. He played his first public concerts when he was 13 years old. Since then he has found time for more than 500 appearances in Europe, Asia, South and North America. In 2010 he was awarded first prize in the GFA Concert Artist Competition, which is often considered the most prestigious guitar competition in the world. As part of this prize, he will perform over 50 concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and China, including a Carnegie Hall debut (Weill Recital Hall). He will also record a CD on the Naxos label.

As a performer, Johannes’s artistry has reached well beyond the usual guitar circles. This fact was confirmed in March 2008 when he won the Dutch Vriendenkrans Concours where he was competing against performers in all of the instrumental categories. As a part of this award his name has been engraved on a metal plate that can be seen in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also became the first guitarist ever to win the Ljunggrenska Competition (Sweden) in 2007, and the conclusion issued by the jury was: “With the help of a breathtaking technique and all the colors of the rainbow he opens a door to a world of subtle expressions which with great power and intensity strikes us.” In 2005, he became the first guitarist to win The Bromsgrove Festival International Young Musicians Platform (England). Critics have also noted his special qualities, writing of his playing "Guitarist Johannes Moller achieved miracles with his lucid, spacious playing" (Stephen Pettitt, London Evening Standard).

Johannes has earned a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Royal College of Music in London where he studied guitar with Gary Ryan and Carlos Bonell. He has received a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague where he studied with Zoran Dukic. He also received a scholarship for excellent students from the Royal Conservatoire that allowed him to study privately with Pavel Steidl in Czech Republic. He completed a second masters degree at the Conservatoire in Amsterdam where he studied with Lex Eisenhardt.

________________________________________________

The Guitar Society of Brantford currently has four guitar ensembles each of which will beforming at todays recital.  The ensembles were  formed in 2009 under the direction of guitarist Patrick and have a musically diverse member base consisting of early, intermediate and post secondary players. The orchestra draws on 500 years of repertoire, spanning the Renaissance to contemporary Canadian composers, and has the goal of fostering musical literacy skills through peer modelling and mentoring, the ability to balance parts within an ensemble, positive performance experiences and the ability to follow a conductor.

“Immediately the player establishes herself as exceedingly good with lots of emotional tones and a wonderful technique.” — Chris Dumigan, Classical Guitar Magazine

including As a student Michael received many prestigious awards including the Toronto Guitar Sociey, the Fraser MacPherson, and the Domenic Troiano scholarships. In 2006 he received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to perform and study in Italy.  He also won top prizes in several guitar competitions, including first prize at the Northwest Guitar Festival, the FCMF National Competition and the Lachine International Guitar Competition.

In addition to performing as a soloist Michael plays with the Henderson-Kolk Guitar Duo, and in various chamber ensembles. In 2010 he had his orchestral debut performing the Concierto de Aranjuez with the Toronto Philharmonia Orchestra.

Michael has so far recorded two CD’s with the HK Guitar Duo - Original Guitar Transcriptions, released in 2007 and Henderson Kolk Duo play Bach, Ravel, Catelnuovo-Tedesco, Lhoyer, released in 2010. Both receive frequent radio play on stations across North America.  Michael plans to record his debut solo CD, as well as a third HK Duo CD in the summer of 2011.

_________________________________________

The Guitar Society of Brantford currently has four guitar ensembles each of which will beforming at todays recital.  The ensembles were  formed in 2009 under the direction of guitarist Patrick and have a musically diverse member base consisting of early, intermediate and post secondary players. The orchestra draws on 500 years of repertoire, spanning the Renaissance to contemporary Canadian composers, and has the goal of fostering musical literacy skills through peer modelling and mentoring, the ability to balance parts within an ensemble, positive performance experiences and the ability to follow a conductor.

_______________________________________________________