Classical Guitar Virtuosos at Church of Beethoven-Oak Park Sunday, Nov. 19

OAK PARK, IL -- The Avanti Guitar Trio is a world-class chamber ensemble whose performances are exciting, approachable, and welcoming. Guitarists Jason Deroche, Julie Goldberg, and Wesley Hixson blend together pristine technique and sensitive interpretation, earning critical acclaim for their engaging concerts and varied programming.

The trio performs at Church of Beethoven-Oak Park Sunday Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Park's Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave.. Cost is $10 Tickets are available here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3116131

The Trio's repertoire ranges from the Baroque to Contemporary, and features newly composed music, engaging transcriptions of classical masterpieces, and an occasional rock/pop or jazz tune.Based in Chicago, Illinois, AGT has performed for the Waukegan Chamber Society, Chicago Composers Consortium, Illinois Wesleyan University, Quincy University, Church of Beethoven, and Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. AGT has shared the stage with renowned guitarists Benjamin Verdery, William Coulter, Las Guitarras de España, and Earl Klugh.

Formed in 2010 the Avanti Guitar Trio continues to expand the guitar trio repertoire by composing/transcribing new works and collaborating with established and upcoming composers.

Jason Deroche fuses an Old World tradition with an understanding of pop culture. Playing everything from Bach to Beatles, Deroche leaves his audiences delighted with his relaxed performance style and candid sense of humor. Jason has shared the studio and stage with artists ranging from members of 80s supergroups Survivor and Toto to some of Chicagos finest classical musicians. Past seasons have included appearances as a soloist with the Cherokee Symphony, the Mount Prospect Community Band, and the Oberon Chamber Orchestra. Through an obvious self-discipline in all musical matters, the self-taught Deroche has developed an unmatched level of virtuosity and artistry. Deroche is highly sought after as an instructor of the guitar. Students of all ages and abilities enjoy his unique insight and relevant instruction. He and his wife Sherri play in a guitar & violin duo called Ten Strings.

Named Guitarist of the year by Classical Guitar Alive, internationally-broadcast radio program, Julie Goldberg is the first guitarist to receive a Doctorate in Music Performance from Northwestern University, and holds degrees from the Chicago Musical College, and College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Julie has performed solo recitals in New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Michigan and Washington, D.C. and has been featured on the internationally known Dame Myra Hess Concert Series. Dr. Goldberg is on the faculty of North Park University and VanderCook College of Music. She is a guest artist at the Interlochen Music Academy, CCM Summer Guitar Workshop, Wisconsin Center for Music Education, Illinois Music Education Association, Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival and Michigan Music Conference. Over seas she has taught master-classes at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. She recently co-authored the book, 100 Classical Guitar Lessons, which is published by Hal Leonard. Her educational guitar ensemble compositions are published by Guitar Chamber Music Press.

As a soloist, chamber musician and composer, Wesley Hixson writes accessible classical music for guitar paying homage to his early influences of classical, prog-rock, metal, jazz, and folk music from around the world. While much of his music draws inspiration from nature, psychology and film, he often borrows form and harmony techniques from classical, jazz and pop as a foundation for his compositions. All of these elements combined in a transparent blend of styles create stirring, new music for the guitar. His music is published by Guitar Chamber Music Press. Over the years Wesley has made several recordings with various groups, as well as a solo recording titled CAPRICE, which features his original solo guitar compositions and classical guitar favorites. Since 2005 Wesley has been on the faculty of Elmhurst College and frequently serves as clinician and adjudicator at festivals and competitions throughout the U.S.

The Church of Beethoven is “...a ‘church’ with no preaching, just uplifting music, poetry and two minutes of silence in an all-too-busy world.” The goal of the Church of Beethoven is to build a sense of community around the arts, by removing the typically formal atmosphere of classical music, by breaking down the proverbial “fourth wall” between the audience and the performers. Featuring intimate Sunday morning performances by professional poets and musicians, it is located in the Arts District of Oak Park Illinois on Harrison St. Our Mistress of Ceremonies is walking-musical-encyclopedia Val Camilletti of Val’s Halla Records.
The original Church of Beethoven was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico by Oak Park native and classical cellist Felix Wurman in an abandoned gas station on historic U. S. Route 66. http://youtu.be/F_NekVF9XXY The Albuquerque “Church” grew out of its humble beginnings and moved into The Kosmos, a larger arts space. Felix Wurman died of cancer in 2009, but the Church of Beethoven (now Sunday Chatter) lives on in Albuquerque and has sprouted new branches in Durham, North Carolina, Santa Monica, California and Tucson, Arizona and here in Oak Park, Illinois.
www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark....