GUITARS INTERNATIONAL
Presents the 20th Annual
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®
Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2020
at and in cooperation with the
Cleveland Institute of Music
 
Jason Vieaux
guitar
Escher String Quartet
SoloDuo
guitars
Nigel North
lute
Petra Poláčková
guitar
Colin Davin
guitar
Emily Levin
harp
Daniel Lippel
guitar
Dashon Burton
bass baritone
Lynn McGrath
guitar
Guitar Festival About Artists' Profiles Stroud Youth Competition Schedule Tickets Lodging & Museums Directions Reviews & News Contact

[Among] two of the most important annual American classical guitar events
(Classical Guitar Magazine)

 
WELCOME to the twentieth annual Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival: June 4 - 7, 2020. Over the years this unique artistic event has consistently brought the world's finest classical guitarists, lutenists, lecturers, composers, teachers, and guitar makers to the Cleveland Institute of Music. This June Colin Davin and I, Co-Chairs of CIM's Guitar Department, and our students look forward once again to sharing CIM's rich environment of world class classical guitar concerts, premieres, master classes, lectures, private lessons, exhibits, and camaraderie with old friends and new from around the USA and beyond in a celebration of fine music: solo and ensemble old and new, and the classical guitar.
 
Reception for CICGF Master Class Performers and Stroud Youth Competition Semifinalists

Stroud Competition
Reception: Thursday, June 4, 11:00 a.m. - noon
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Ellen and Joe Thomas Student Commons, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Restricted to CICGF master class performers and their parents, James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition semi-finalists and their parents, CIM guitar faculty and administrators, and CICGF and Stroud Competition staff.
Admission: Free.
Information: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.

Stroud Youth Competition Orientation Meeting:
Thursday, June 4, 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Restricted to James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition semi-finalists and their parents, Stroud Competition judges and administrators, and Stroud Competition staff.
Admission: Free.
Information: To learn more about the James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition click here.
 
CIM Alumnus Daniel Lippel (USA), guitar with Grammy Award Winner Dashon Burton (USA), bass baritone
"Guitarist Dan Lippel was simply brilliant...." Boston Musical Intelligencer
[Dashon Burton's] velvety voice, perfect throughout his range, was suffused with emotion.... (The Reading Eagle)

Dashon Burton Biography
Pre-Concert Talk: Thursday, June 4, 7:30 - 7:50 p.m.
Description: An interviewer TBD will speak with CIM Alumnus Daniel Lippel, guitar and Grammy Award Winner Dashon Burton, bass bariitone.
Location: CIM Mixon Hall
Admission: Open to all concert ticket holders

CONCERT: Thursday, June 4, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Various composers (Songs of Struggle and Redemption)
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $25.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at 216-752-7502.
Artist's Video: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor by J.S. Bach (Lippel)
 Artist's Video: Go tell it on the mountain! (Burton)

After Concert Dinner: Thursday, June 4 at 11:00 p.m.
Location: L’Albatros Brasserie, 11401 Bellflower Road,
Cleveland, Ohio (Individuals pay their own tab)

Master Class: Friday, June 5, from  9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 217, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.  
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).
 
Colin Davin (USA), guitar with Emily Levin (USA), harp
Mr Davin is the real thing, a player with a virtuoso's technique, a deeply expressive musicianship, and a probing imagination. (American Record Guide)
Emily Levin was a standout. Levin...drew nuanced timbres and textures while making the mechanics of her instrument disappear. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Emily Levin Biography
Pre-Concert Talk: Friday, June 5, 7:30 - 7:50 p.m.
Description: An interviewer TBD will speak with CIM Guitar Dept. Co-Chair Colin Davin and Principal Harpist of the Dallas Symphony Emily Levin.
Location: CIM Mixon Hall
Admission: Open to all concert ticket holders

CIM FACULTY CONCERT: Friday, June 5, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Cziner (world premiere), Debussy, Glass, and more
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $25.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at 216-752-7502.
Artists' Video: El Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla

After Concert Dinner: Friday, June 5 at 11:00 p.m.
Location: L’Albatros Brasserie, 11401 Bellflower Road,
Cleveland, Ohio (Individuals pay their own tab.)

Master Class: Thursday, June 4, from 1:45 - 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).
 
Lynn McGrath (USA), guitar with spoken word
[W]onderful timing, poise, wit, and grace…
(Soundboard)

BONUS CONCERT: Saturday, June 7, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.   
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Castelnuovo-Tedesco (selections from Platero and I)
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $7.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at 216-752-7502.
Artist's Video: Platero from Platero y yo, op. 190

Master Class: Thursday, June 4, 1:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 217, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).
 
Gramophone Award Winner Nigel North (England), lute
Perhaps he is the greatest performer on his instrument of all time....  (Birmingham Post)

CONCERT: Saturday, June 6, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: J. S. Bach (6th cello suite, BWV 1012; 2nd violin sonata, BWV 1003; 1st lute suite, BWV 996; and flûte traversière partita, BWV 1013)   
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $25.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International 216-752-7502
Artist's Video: Weiss - Sarabande from Partita in G minor

Master Class: Friday, June 5, 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).

Lecture: Friday, June 5, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.   
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: TBD
Admission: Free (no tickets or passes required), voluntary donations to support the CICGF gratefully accepted
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
SoloDuo (Italy), classical guitars
Unforgettable musicianship of the highest order
(The Washington Post)

Matteo Mela
Lorenzo Micheli
Pre-ConcertI Talk: Saturday, June 6, 7:30 - 7:50 p.m.
Description: An interviewer TBD will speak with Italian guitar virtuosos Lorenzo Micheli and Mateo Mela.
Location: CIM Mixon Hall
Admission: Open to all concert ticket holders

CONCERT: Saturday, June 6, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: TBD
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $30.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502

After Concert Dinner: Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 p.m.
Location: L’Albatros Brasserie, 11401 Bellflower Road,
Cleveland, Ohio (Individuals pay their own tab.)

Master Class 1: Friday, June 5, 1:45 - 4:30 p.m.. 
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Studio 113
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 CIM and non-CIM classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Open to observers free of charge (no tickets or passes required).
Master Class Info: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.

Master Class 2: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.. 
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Studio 217
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 CIM and non-CIM classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Open to observers free of charge (no tickets or passes required).
Master Class Info: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar
Polácková’s playing was so technically secure and musically insightful, it was unimaginable that anything she played could possibly be difficult. (Cleveland Classical) 

BONUS CONCERT: Sunday, June 7, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Giuliani, Legnani, and Mertz
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $7.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at 216-752-7502.

Lecture: Thursday, June 4, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.   
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Musicianship on the Guitar
Admission: Free (no tickets or passes required), voluntary donations to support the CICGF gratefully accepted
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.

Master Class: Friday, June 5, 1:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 217
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).
 
Grammy Award Winner Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar with the Escher String Quartet (USA)
[Jason Vieaux is] perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation. (NPR)
[The Escher Quartet's] eloquent, full-blooded playing... offers a beautiful blend of individuality and accord.  (BBC Music Magazine)

Escher String Quartet Biography
Pre-ConcerI Talk: Sunday, June 7, 1:30 - 1:50 p.m.
Description: An interviewer TBD will speak with Grammy Award Winner and CIM Guitar Dept. Co-Chair Jason Vieaux and the Escher String Quartet.
Location: CIM Mixon Hall
Admission: Open to all concert ticket holders

CIM FACULTY CONCERT: Sunday, June 7, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works: Quintets by Boccherini, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and Kernis
View Program: Coming April 2020
Tickets: $30.00 each - purchase tickets on line Here or call 216-752-7502. (There are no senior or student discounts.)
Information: Call Guitars International at 216-752-7502.
Artist's Video: Jason Vieaux - In a Sentimental Mood
Artist's Video: Death and the Maiden by Schubert

Master Class: Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Studio 113l,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: 5 non-CIM classical guitar students will perform.
To Perform: Contact Colin Davin at colin.davin@cim.edu for information.
To Observe: Free and open to the public (no tickets or passes required).
 
Kolya Panhuyzen (Germany), guitar maker
Master Luthier

LECTURE: Saturday, June 6, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Studio 113,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description:: TBD
Admission: Free (no tickets or passes required)
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
Guitars International (USA)
Exhibition of Fine Classical Guitars

EXHIBITION: Sunday, June 7, 11:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Pogue Lobby,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions).
Description: Guitars International will display handcrafted concert level classical guitars from around the world.
Admission: Free (no tickets or passes required).
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competion
$10,000.00 First Prize

Stroud Competition Mission
SEMI-FINAL ROUND: Friday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Twelve to fifteen Stroud Youth Competition semi-finalists will perform publicly and be evaluated by an international panel of judges.
Audience Admission: Free and open to the public (general seating, no tickets or passes required)
Information: More about this Youth Competition Here.

FINAL ROUND: Sunday, June 7, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Four Stroud Youth Competition finalists will perform publicly and be evaluated by an international panel of judges.
Audience Admission: Free and open to the public (general seating, no tickets or passes required)
Information:  More about this Youth Competition Here.

Awards Ceremony: Sunday, June 7, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: The 2020 Stroud Youth Competition winners will be announced.
Admission: Free and open to the public (general seating, no tickets or passes required)
Information: stroudcompetition@gmail.com
 
Cleveland Bella Corda Guitar Ensemble (USA)
Childbloom Guitar Program

YOUTH CONCERT: Saturday, June 6, 12:30 - 12:55 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Pogue Lobby, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works: TBD
View Program: Coming April  2020
Description: Five young students of Brian Kozak, Director of the Cleveland Childbloom Guitar Program, will perform in ensemble.
Admission: Open to the public free of charge (no tickets or passes required).
Informatio0n: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
Cleveland Suzuki Guitar Ensemble (USA)
Music School Settlement

YOUTH CONCERT: Sunday, June 7, 11:00 - 11:25 a.m.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Pogue Lobby, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works: TBD
View Program: Coming April  2020
Description: Five young students of Robert Gruca, Director of the Cleveland Childbloom Guitar Program, will perform in ensemble.
Admission: Open to the public free of charge (no tickets or passes required).
Information: Call Guitars International at (216) 752-7502.
 
Post CICGF/Stroud Competition Dinner
A Celebration of Fine Music Making
and Friendships Old and New

Dinner: Sunday, June 7, 8:30 p.m.
Location: Valerio’s Ristorante,
12405 Mayfield Road.,
Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Admission: Open to the public (individuals pay their own tab).
DONATE
Support Cleveland International
Classical Guitar Festival events
with a tax deductible donation.
CIM Mixon Hall
Additional Support Provided By:
  • The Augustine Foundation
  • Alpha Graphics
  • Azica Records
  • Bam l'Original Cases
  • ClevelandClassical.com
  • Cleveland Chamber Music Society
  • Cleveland Scene
  • David W. Hershberger
  • Friends of CICGF
  • Glidden House
  • Jonathan Wentworth Ltd.
  • Les Delices
  • Pat Kilkenny
  • Rodgers Tuning Machines
  • The Plain Dealer
  • This is Classical Guitar
  • Thompson Hine LLP
  • WCLV 104.9 FM
  • WCPN 90.3 FM