The Victoria Guitar Society
presents classical guitarist
Stephen Lochbaum
Saturday August 10th, 2024
7:30pm
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, Uvic
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
*Members receive $5 off the ticket price with code.
Stephen Lochbaum’s jazz and continuo experience has established him as a strong chamber musician and he enjoys an incredibly diverse array of chamber music performances. From medieval songs, to early Baroque Opera, Bach Cantata’s, Mozart Arias, Schubert songs, through to flamenco, Jaco Pastorius, Frank Zappa, and music from the Final Fantasy series. Stephen recently recorded an album with renowned audio specialist Drew Henderson.
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Stephen received his Masters degree while studying with Dr. Alexander Dunn and Maestro Pepe Romero and went on to win the Canadian National Music Festival and perform with internationally recognized groups such as the Vancouver Cantata Singers with whom he performed Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Romancero gitano and received his CBC radio debut.
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He segued into jazz performance with Jason Corbett and became one of the most sought after jazz acts in Victoria. The duo was the highest billed group in Victoria’s 2010 International JazzFest and they enjoyed dozens of performances a year while their recordings and performances were featured on national radio, CBC Radio 1 and 3, and local television shows.
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In 2011 Stephen received a full-time doctoral teaching fellowship to resume his classical studies at University of North Texas (UNT) with Tom Johnson. He won first prize at international competitions held by Indiana University, Texas A&M, University of Lousiville, Middle Tennessee State University, and the Florida Guitar Foundation.
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Stephen developed a deep love of early music at UNT and began performing on theorbo, baroque guitar, lute, and cittern under the guidance of Julliard professor Daniel Swenberg. He was also able to study with Paul Leenhouts, Director of Early music at UNT and UN Lifetime Achievement recipient, and eventually form the duo In villam columbae. The two have composed and commissioned new works and made numerous arrangements for the surprisingly successful combination of guitar and recorder.
Remembering Alexander Dunn
Victoria Guitar Society is greatly saddened by the recent passing of our artistic director and president Dr. Alexander Dunn. This news is a great shock to the classical guitar world and leaves a chasm in the Victoria guitar scene where Alex was instrumental in bringing us an amazing array of performers over the years. We will always remember Alex for his passion for music and his talent at passing this knowledge down to new generations. We've lost a friend and an artist. We send our condolences to Alex's family and will be thinking of them during this difficult time ahead.
VCM String Faculty Recital, dedicated to the memory of Alex Dunn: June 15th, 2024, 3pm
University of Victoria Fine Arts Tribute
It is with profound sadness that we share the news that our friend and School of Music colleague, Dr. Alexander Dunn, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of May 8. “This is a loss that will be deeply felt by members of our School and the wider music community,” says School of Music director Alexis Luko. “On behalf of the School of Music, our deepest condolences go out to Alex’s to loved ones, family, friends and colleagues.”
His sudden passing at just 68 was marked in this May 11 Times Colonist article, which quoted his cousin and lifelong guitar partner Robert Ward as saying, “even in high school, [Alex] was singled out as having a really unique talent.”
Staccato Podcast with Nigel Roberts
Episode 2: Alexander Dunn
Alexander Dunn, Head of the Guitar Program at the University of Victoria talks explains “how good teaching has now been spread around the world, so now, we can hear high-level players from all corners of the globe” – and: “how it’s not unusual to see an eleven – year old from Shanghai or a twelve – year old from Eastern Europe playing at - or beyond the level of Julian Bream or Andres Segovia in the seventies.”
Alex discusses how the guitar has matured from the early era and the welcome end to what he terms “the Segovia tyranny.” We also talk about how “it’s absolutely imperative for the musicianship of a serious guitarist to always be engaged with other people” like singers, wind instruments, string instruments, ensembles or orchestras.
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Past Event: Orontes & Guests, May 28th, 2023
OPEN MIC NIGHT
Our classical guitar and fingerstyle open mic night continues on the last Friday of every month at Caffe Fantastico starting at 6:30pm.
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Please note, the February open mic will not be running due to venue availability
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Upcoming dates for 2024
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Jan 26
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Feb - CANCELLED
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Mar 22
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Apr 26
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May 31
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Jun 28
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A supportive and fun night aimed at giving everyone, no matter their level or ability, somewhere to play.
Four Syrian guitarists and six local Victoria musicians presented an eclectic program at the Victoria Conservatory's Alix Goolden Hall on May 28th, 2023.
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All the proceeds from the tickets sales have been donated to support the victims of the devastating earthquake in Syria in early 2023.
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We thank all the musicians and the audience for their support.
Past Event: Laura Young, January 14th, 2023
What a vibrant evening of music it was! A standing ovation and an encore, it was hard to let Laura go.