Akron Guitar Festival

March 3 – 5, 2023

2023 Akron Guitar Festival graphic

The Akron Guitar Festival features a myriad of concerts, workshops, a festival guitar orchestra, instruments, and gear venders, as well as a chance for area youth guitar ensembles to perform on stage in Guzzetta Recital Hall to receive constructive feedback from a panel of judges.

FESTIVAL DETAILS

Date: March 3-5, 2023
Scroll down for the full schedule below.

Location:
Guzzetta Hall at The University of Akron
157 University Ave - Akron, OH 44325-1002

COST & REGISTRATION

Online registration is now closed but in person registration will be available at The Guzzetta Hall Box Office throughout the festival.

Registration fee of $20: Covers all concerts and workshops.

Play in The Akron Guitar Festival Orchestra

All acoustic guitar participants are encouraged to participate in The Akron Guitar Festival Orchestra. This year’s featured work is “A Zeppelin Medley”.

  • Registration required to participate, no additional fee.
Youth Guitar at the University of Akron School of Music

ADJUDICATION

Youth Guitar Ensembles

Area youth guitar ensembles will perform one work for a panel of judges and receive a performance rating as well as constructive feedback. Available to fingerstyle or pick style, duos, trios, quartets or large ensembles.

  • Outstanding performers will be invited to perform on The Guitar Ensemble Concert at 1 p.m.

SCHEDULE

Friday

  • 7:30 p.m. | CONCERT: Classical Guitar Showcase, Recital Hall
  • 9 p.m. | Opening Reception, Atrium

Saturday

  • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.| VENDOR FAIR: Atrium
  • 10 - 10:45 a.m. | CONCERT : Grateful Dad, Atrium
  • 11 - 11:45 a.m. | WORKSHOP: Warm-Ups and Technique, Atrium
  • Noon to 12:45 p.m. | REHEARSAL: Akron Guitar Festival Orchestra, Recital Hall
  • 1 - 2 p.m. | CONCERT: Guitar Orchestra, and Participant Concert, Recital Hall
  • 2 - 2:45 p.m. | CONCERT: Terry Ellis, Atrium
  • 3 - 4 p.m. | CONCERT: Electric Guitar Showcase, Recital Hall
  • 7:30 p.m. | CONCERT: Randall Avers, Recital Hall

Sunday

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | WORKSHOP: Randall Avers Master Class, Recital Hall
  • 1 - 2 p.m. | WORKSHOP: Acoustic Jam, Atrium
  • 3 - 4 p.m. | CONCERT: Neil Zaza, Recital Hall

FEATURED ARTISTS

Performer at the Guitar Festival at UA

Randall Avers

Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Performer at the Guitar Festival at UA

Neil Zaza

Sunday at 3 p.m.

SHOWCASE PERFORMERS

Classical Guitar Showcase

From Bach to Rock! We’re opening the festival with some of the greatest solo works written throughout the centuries. After the concert meet the artists in the Atrium for the Opening Reception.

Electric Guitar Showcase

From Jazz standards to the experimental. Join us as we delve into the myriad sounds of contemporary electric guitar.


CONTACT

Jim Marron, guitar

James Marron
Senior Lecturer of guitar
marron@uakron.edu