Four Seasons
Performing Arts Series
Welcomes
Arturo Ville. Classical Spanish Guitar Virtuoso
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 6 p.m.
Arturo Ville was born in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1961. Since his childhood he felt a special attraction towards music, having composed his first melody (Minut Banda) when he was 5 years old. Shortly after this, by observing one of his older brothers play popular Mexican songs, he begun teaching himself how to play basic chords and melodies in the guitar.
During his adolescent years Arturo composed a series of romantic songs in Spanish, but his love for the guitar lead him to enter the School of Music of the University of Guadalajara, and majored in classical guitar performance under the guidance of his uncle, Maestro Fernando Corona.
In 1984 Arturo formed the guitar duo "Henry-Ville" with the Mexican-American guitarist Jacqueline Henry. For several years they toured throughout Mexico and the United States, offering concerts and recitals in venues as famed as the "Teatro Degollado" in Guadalajara and the Bing Theater in the Los Angeles Museum of Art, and as rural as the "Oaxteca" jungle back in Mexico. Arturo has played chamber music with several string quartets and has performed as a soloist with both the Guadalajara Autonomous University Symphony and the Guadalajara Symphonic Orchestra. In addition, throughout his musical career he has been a frequent guest in radio and TV shows, both in Mexico and the United States.
From 1987 to 1989 he was the music coordinator for the State of Jalisco’s Fine Arts Department, and also presided over the Classical Guitar Society of Guadalajara in 1989-1990.
In 1990 Arturo immigrated into the United States where he continued his professional development as a guitarist at the University of Southern California (USC), in Los Angeles, California, under the direction of William Kanengiser and James Smith. From 1993 to 1995, Arturo was in charge of Cultural Promotion for the Mexican Cultural Institute, a branch of the Mexican Consulate General in Los Angeles. Then in 1996, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations, also from USC.
Either with the duo or individually, Arturo has taken guitar Master Classes with such worldwide renowned guitarists as Manuel López Ramos, David Russell, David Starobin, Benjamin Verdery and David Grimes (with whom he also took private lessons); as well as with the British composer John Duarte and German flutist and conductor Kurt Redel.
In addition to his performing career Arturo has further developed his composing skills, and is currently focusing on writing more music, not just for guitar, but for other instruments as well. In conclusion, in 1996 Arturo became a full time high school teacher, teaching both classical guitar and Spanish as a Second Language, and in 2007 he earned a Masters Degree in Cross-cultural Education from National University. He is currently teaching at Grants Pass High School.
The concert on November 14th will include works by Gaspar Sanz, Fernando Sor, Manuel M. Ponce, Agustín Barrios, Joaquín Turina, Joaquín Rodrigo, as well as Arturo Ville.
For ticket information, contact Newman United Methodist Church at (541) 479-5369. Tickets, which are $10, are also available at the door.