Southeastern student accepted to study with Grammy winning guitar master at institute
Thursday, September 8, 2016
by: Tonya Lowentritt
MUSIC STUDENT ACCEPTED AT SUMMER INSTITUTE – Southeastern Louisiana University music major Graham Guillory was selected to study with Grammy winning guitar master, Pepe Romero this summer during the annual Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute held at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University.
HAMMOND – Graham Guillory, a Southeastern Louisiana University music major, was recently
selected to study one-on-one with Grammy-winning guitar master, Pepe Romero. Guillory,
a sophomore from Mandeville, earned an invitation to the annual Celedonio Romero Guitar
Institute held at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University this
summer.
Graham was accepted to the program through an audition recording of Tarrega’s
“Adelita and Brouwer’s, Estudio Sencillo #VI.” Thirty-six international students attended
the intense workshop, which featured masterclasses and private instruction with members
of the Grammy-winning Los Romeros Quartet. Graham was assigned to private lessons
with the virtuoso leader of the quartet, Maestro Pepe Romero.
“Graham is a very talented young musician and is a testament to the fine education
he is getting from Southeastern and his guitar instructor Patrick Kerber,” said Matthew
Denman, assistant professor of music at Oklahoma City University. “During the final
concert, Graham was able to perform with Los Romeros, the Royal Family of Guitar,
several times.”
When asked about his experience, Graham couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.
“I was very honored and a bit shocked to be appointed section leader for one
of the large guitar ensemble pieces. I realized that in the guitar world, not only
does a student from Southeastern get by in this environment, but a guitar student
from Southeastern competes with his peers from Ivy League schools and conservatories,”
he explained. “Studying with the Romeros was intellectually stimulating, and profoundly
improved my ability. It was an unparalleled experience.”
For the final concert at the guitar institute, Graham’s solo piece was Torroba’s
“Romanza de los Pinos.” With the large ensemble, he performed “El Baile de Luis Alonso”
by Geronimo Giminez and “La Vida Breve by Manuel de Falla” sitting next to Celin Romero
as a section leader.
“I encouraged Graham to audition for the class. I knew that he would work side
by side with upper-classmen and graduate students and that he would do well,” said
Kerber, Southeastern instructor of guitar and coordinator of guitar activities. “It
was my thought also that the Romeros would seize on Graham’s enthusiastic attitude
and grant him some extra unscheduled time, which they did. It is their style to identify
passion and discipline in students and to encourage these qualities.”
“I contacted Maestro (Pepe) Romero after the event,” Kerber continued, “and his
comments about Graham were exemplary. I am very proud of Graham, and happy that he
did so well. I predict similar successes in the future.”