Now going into its 29th season, Omni is one of the world’s leading series of guitar performances, bringing top guitarists from around the world to venues like Herbst Theatre, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Green Room and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. And now it co-presents, with the Guitar Foundation of America, the 2008 International Convention and Competition, in San Francisco for the first time.
Tickets are on sale now for the Aug. 5-10 event.
 Photo courtesy Richard Patterson Miramar classical guitarist Richard Patterson is now heading up a major international guitar convention in San Francisco in August. |
“This will bring guitarists and teachers from all over the world,” gloated Patterson.
He first proposed bringing the convention to the Bay Area in 2006. The city was chosen and Patterson named director (and co-artistic director with guitarist David Tanenbaum, who will perform there on Aug. 8) early last year.
It’s a logical next step for Patterson. He first studied in Spain under maestro Jose Tomas, and performed nationally with the Ware-Patterson duo and internationally with Russian mandolin and balalaika virtuoso Emanuel Sheynkman as the Dvoika! Duo.
His playing is featured on 25-plus recordings, and his compositions and arrangements are heard in films, television and radio. He teaches Spanish guitar at Notre Dame de Namur University.
Since being named convention director, Patterson has been immersed in a sea of logistics, “you name it,” he said with his trademark easy chuckle. Will he perform? Probably not. “I’ll be running,” he said.
The event will feature the cream of international guitarists (see accompanying story) and more. Lectures will focus on professional and career development and education. A trade show will offer “anything having to do with guitar” from publications to handmade guitars worth thousands.
About 90 musicians from 15 to 20 countries will take part in adult (18 and up) and youth (14 and under and 15-18) competitions. The adult competitions include a qualifying round at the Conservatory before judges and semifinal and final rounds open to the public. Competitors will play one common piece so judges “get a feeling for their interpretation and style” and a piece written just for the event by Brazilian classical guitarist and Omni alum Sergio Assad. The youth competition final round, at Herbst, is open to the public.
“It’s phenomenal,” said Patterson. “One quality event after another.”
Patterson expects the event to draw hundreds of attendees. “It will bring premier guitarists and teachers from major universities all over the world to San Francisco. I want them to have the best possible experience.”
Tickets are available for individual concerts at $30-$38, as well as for day and weekend passes. To register, go online at www.guitarfoundation.org or call (877) 570-1651.
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