Workshops, masterclasses, ensembles and live performances in store.
A festival devoted to the guitar will see some of today’s greatest international guitarists perform in the city. Taking place on 2-3 February at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, celebrity guests will include “the hottest guitarist in the world” (The Sunday Times) MILOŠ (pictured); 
celebrated guitar master David Russell; Daniel Martinez and his flamenco group; Vida Guitar Quartet and many others.
The Guitar Festival includes workshops, masterclasses and talks, a Flamenco night in the Eastside Jazz Club, foyer music, vendors and a great festival feel.
Mark Ashford, Head of Guitar at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire says, “This is the first time in very many years that guitarists of such a high calibre have visited the Midlands together. To welcome such artists as the Grammy-award winning David Russell, the chart-topping sensation MILOŠ and fabulous flamenco guitarist Daniel Martinez to the City is a very exciting prospect. As well as concerts, they’ll give public masterclasses and workshops and we are looking forward to a really packed and fun weekend.”
Alongside their celebrity recitals, MILOŠ and David Russell both give public masterclasses. Daniel Martinez will lead a flamenco workshop giving a fascinating insight into the specific techniques of flamenco and his company of singers and dancers will join him for a late night event in the Eastside Jazz Club.
There’s a lecture-recital by early music specialist Liz Pallett on the music of John Dowland, a recital by former students the Vickers-Bovey Duo and showcases from the Junior and Senior Conservatoire and young musicians from the Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Ensemble and the National Youth Guitar Ensemble.
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Guitar Festival takes place on Saturday 2nd–Sunday 3rd February. Day tickets (£20) and Weekend tickets (£35) are available as well as tickets for individual events. For further information and details of how to book, visit here or call 0121 331 5909.
Pic – Andy Earl
