Experimental beginning

GUITARSTROPHE! Is a Western Australian youth guitar ensemble which has appeared at many Festivals as the Combined Schools Guitar Ensemble under the stewardship of John Casey. It was born as an experiment to provide students in government schools with performance and ensemble experience. The ensemble grew to be 40 in number, which after some experimentation was reduced to 27, modelling it on a chamber orchestra. In 1977 the ensemble toured the South-West of WA for 5 days and was very well received in all areas where it performed.

The very encouraging response was enough for John Casey to resolve to continue with the innovation. With experience the ensemble continued to improve, so much so that in 1987 they were invited to perform as guests in the Australian Guitar Competition in Sydney. The performance made such a good impression that the ensemble was asked to play again the following night. After the success of the six day tour which included concerts in schools, the Education Department of WA showed interest and decided to support the ensemble. In 1990 the Department further recognised the value of the initiative to music education and decided to have guitar ensembles in all high schools where guitar was taught.

Move to independence

On becoming independent of the Education Department the ensemble then had to supply its own music stands, uniforms and accessories but it also meant the group could select it's own personnel. Today, though most of the 27 players are still at school, the membership includes university students of music, science and other disciplines.

Reaching the Top End

Highlights for the ensemble have been many including performing in the Fringe Festival of the Darwin International Guitar Festival in 1995, then in 1997 at the Festival proper. The ensemble premiered a composition "Arrow of Time" by Richard Charlton in the opening concert series.

Guitarstrophe! returned for a third time to the 1999 Darwin Festival as a featured group and premiered a specially commissioned work, "Birds of Paradise" by Australian composer Gerard Brophy.

Dedicated compositions

Both "The Arrow of Time" by Richard Charlton and "Birds of Paradise" by Gerard Brophy were written for Guitarstrophe and made possible with support from the Australia Council.

The ensemble has drawn high praise and has been endorsed by leading guitarists John Williams, Leo Brower, Carlos Bonell and Timothy Kain.

Guitarstrophe! performed as featured ensemble at the 1999 Classic Guitar Society International Ensemble Festival and has recorded it's first CD.[see below]

On 1st June Guitarstrophe! was the featured artist at the WA Citizen of the Year Awards 2001. The ensemble started proceedings with "Samba Quica" by Klaus Wusthoff, presented the music for the 9 citations and then played a 15 minute bracket comprising the 3 movement "Concerto á la Brandenburg" by J.S. Bach arranged by Duncan Druce, "Serenade" by Dvorak arranged by Adnrew Forrest and "Carnaval" by Patrick Roux.

The ensemble has been invited to participate in the 2002 Darwin International Guitar Festival after previous successful appearances at the Festivals in 1995, 1997 and 1999.

BIRDS OF PARADISE
Presents the following programme:-

"Grises y Soles" - Maximo Diego Pujol

"Birds of Paqradise" - Gerard Brophy

"Slavonic Dance No 8 Op 46" - Anton Dvorak arr. Andrew Forrest

"Concerto 2nd Movement" - Roland Dyens

"Changing the Guard" - Nikita Koshkin

"Concerto Grosso No 11 Op 2" Antonion Vivaldi arr. Andrew Forrest

"Comme un Tango" - Patrick Roux