The University of Texas at San Antonio is tuning up to host a cultural feast for the ears with the return of the Southwest Guitar Symposium this March, as reported by FOX San Antonio. As the city's most prominent classical guitar event, the SWGS is prepping its strings to dazzle attendees with performances and masterclasses from guitar virtuosos from around the globe. According to UTSA Today, the symposium, which runs from March 8-10, will also feature a Southwest Luthier and Vendor Expo, offering a marketplace for guitar makers and shops to exhibit and sell their crafted instruments.
Isaac Bustos, the symposium’s artistic director, couldn't contain his excitement, telling UTSA Today, "I am excited to welcome our guest artists and Symposium participants to our annual guitar celebration here at UTSA." This year's lineup includes Grammy award-winning American guitarist William Kanengiser, Pablo Garibay, Jay Kacherski, and the Cuarteto de Guitarras de la Ciudad de México, bringing an international flavor to the event with artists from Mexico and Costa Rica.
The symposium isn't just about watching pros do their thing—there's some serious competition involved. The 2024 Southwest Solo Guitar Competition, open to the public, will see young guitarists battle it out for top prizes and a shot to perform at next year's symposium. Eyes will also be on last year's champs, Adrian Montero and Wyatt Green, as they showcase their skills on Saturday, March 9 at 5 p.m., according to FOX San Antonio.
Deep in the heart of Texas, the symposium has significant roots, being originally established by guitar professors Gerald Klickstein, Adam Holzman, and William Gangel in 1991. Following a revival after a nine-year break, Bustos, a former competitor and guest performer at the festival, has helped orchestrate the event's transition into its current form as the SWGS. On its first night, faculty artists like Dúo Fortis and Tracy Cowden are set to kick off the festival with performances that are bound to resonate with aficionados and newcomers alike. Organizers promise the extravaganza will showcase the classical guitar in ways that convert even those accustomed to electrified shredding into classical devotees.
