Guitar students of Song in My Heart Studio (SIMHS) in June performed solo and ensemble pieces for the audience of more than 100 at the SYV Presbyterian Church. Students young and adults from Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara demonstrated their skills in clarity of sound, guitar technique and performance etiquette. Every student played in one or multiple ensemble groups, as well as individual solo performance. Reidar Wordal opened up the solo portion with two well-played classical pieces by Guiliani and Carcassi. Teresa Johnson from SIMHS flute program, played two solo pieces. The solo program ended with Emily Jensen playing Bourree by L. Mozart and a classical guitar arrangement of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John.
At the opening of the second section of the program, Emily Jensen and Reidar Wordal were presented with the Outstanding Practice Award for documenting more than 210 hours of practice during the 2011-12 academic year. Studio students and faculty said their farewells to Riley Huffman, a five-year veteran guitar student who just graduated from high school and is heading for UC Berkeley. Huffman was presented with the Star performance award.
The ensemble portion of the program started with the advanced guitar ensemble, under the baton of Phillip Conrad, playing three pieces followed by a duo by Reidar Wordal and Huffman. Then, the Electric Guitar Ensemble performed an electric guitar trio piece. The program ended with the guitar orchestra of more than 30 guitarists and a flutist playing two pieces, warming the hearts of the audience.
Song in My Heart Studio, located in Frederik’s Court in Solvang, offers private lessons in guitar (both acoustic and electric), piano, flute and Celtic harp using the Suzuki Method. Students age 4 to adult learn how to play an instrument, with music theory, ear training and ensemble skills as part of the curriculum.
For more information, contact Song in My Heart Studio at 245-1996 or visit www.simheart.com.