By Sean Kotz
RADFORD – Radford University’s Music Department will host three days of international music at the end of the semester between April 27 and 29.
All events are free and open to the public, presenting a unique opportunity to enjoy everything from classical piano to flamenco music.
On April 27, the 2022 IBLA Grand Prize winners will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Davis Performance Hall in the Covington Center on Radford University’s main campus. Annually, the IBLA Foundation in New York City organizes a competition for singers, musicians and composers in Ragusa Ibla, in Sicily that draws talent from across the globe. Top Prize winner, Serbian composer and pianist Julija Bal, headlines the event. Bal made her American debut at Carnegie Hall and is praised for her originality and technique. Performing on the same stage will be musicians from Argentina, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine.
On April 28 and 29, the 22nd annual International Guitar Festival will offer two days of concerts and workshops. Musicians with roots in Peru, Turkey, Romania and Spain will bring a variety of guitar styles and techniques to Davis Hall. Among the performers is Jorge Caballero, a renowned guitarist who has garnered several international awards from the age of 19. In addition to performing classical guitar compositions and his own work, Caballero is famous for adapting orchestra and piano compositions for guitar.
This will be the 22nd annual International Guitar Festival at Radford University. Dr. Robert Trent organizes this event each year and will also be among the performers and workshop leaders. The festival will begin at 3 p.m. on April 28 with a masterclass taught by Mary Akerman and Robert Teixeira, followed by a masterclass led by Jorge Caballero. In the evening, Turkish guitarist Mesut Ozgen will perform at 7 p.m. followed by the Maharajah Flamenco Trio.
On Saturday, April 29, events begin at 1 pm with the Maharajah Flamenco Trio improv workshop. Mesut Ozgen and Robert Trent will offer masterclasses as well, followed by a concert duet from Akerman and Teixeira at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m., Suzuki guitar students will perform with the Radford Guitar Ensemble and the event will wrap up with a concert by Caballero.