Singapore International Acoustic Guitar Festival 2012

I suppose it had to happen some time.

The once classical guitar centric “International Guitar Festival (Singapore)” has now been rebranded as the “Singapore International Acoustic Guitar Festival”.

It’s more than a cosmetic change.

The competition and visiting personalities are now geared towards acoustic guitarists instead of classical guitarists. Whereas last year’s competition winner received a Sakurai/Kohno classical guitar, this year’s winner will receive a George Lowden acoustic guitar. There is also no set piece for the competition nor any criteria. It’s definitely not a ‘classical guitar only’ competition anymore. It’s going to be strange seeing classical and acoustic guitarists participating in the same contest.

I can’t imagine a classical guitarist winning and walking away with a high-end acoustic guitar.

For several months I heard rumours that Thomas was thinking about repositioning the festival. He has clearly followed through. I can’t blame Thomas for doing so, there is much more money in organizing an acoustic guitar event, which has more mass appeal, than a niche classical guitar event, especially in a small market like Singapore.

It’s the end of an era, and a start of a new one.

Sadly, this is the first festival that does not appeal to me at all. I’m not sure if I will be attending any of the items.

Competition Heats & Semi-finals:18-20 June
Concerts: 20-24 June
Workshops & Masterclasses: 21-23 June
Competition Finals: 24 June

Venue: RELC International Hotel

Featuring Martin Taylor (UK), Michel Haumont (France), Paolo Sereno (Italy), Thomas Leeb (Austria) and Paco Renteria (Mexico). Tickets on sale now.

More information available on tomas-music.com.

Author: Dedrick Koh

Dedrick Koh is an acclaimed , fully-booked classical guitar teacher who teaches from his home studio at Sengkang. He has been teaching the classical guitar since 2006 and has successfully prepared students for ABRSM and Trinity exams and he holds a flawless 100% pass rate, and a 90% merit/distinction rate for his students. He was previously an instructor cum assistant conductor at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings under Alex Abisheganaden . Dedrick Koh is also a former public relations and communications specialist, having carved out a notable 10-year career in both the public and private sector. He has work for/on brands like Nanyang Polytechnic, Coca Cola, DHL, Nokia, Nestle, the Health Promotion Board, the Economic Development Board of Singapore and the President Challenge. He also also been featured in the Straits Time, the New Paper, and CNN.

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