November 5, 2019
Press Contact:
Catherine Schrenker
The Guitar Summit 2019 at The Henderson
(276) 706-4011
Guitar Summit 2019 at the
Henderson Announced
Marion, VA –
The Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts & The Crooked Road:
Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail have partnered with American
Evolution™ to
celebrate the role of the guitar in Virginia's history. The Henderson has been
awarded one of sixteen 2019 Commemoration Finale Grants for Guitar Summit 2019:
Celebrating the Role of the Guitar in Virginia’s History. The 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution Finale Grants are for events taking place in November
during the Virginia Customs, Cultures and Cuisine Festival. The grants are being administered by the Virginia
Tourism Corporation.
American
Evolution™ commemorates the 400th anniversary of several key historical events
that occurred in Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today. The month-long Virginia Customs,
Cultures and Cuisine Festival, presented by TowneBank, will be filled with
local, regional and statewide events honoring early
Virginia history
Join
us for two days of performances, workshops, demonstrations and historical
presentations all revolving around the guitar and its contribution to Virginia
history and culture. The Guitar Summit 2019 at The Henderson will be held on
Saturday, November 23rd from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, November 24th
from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts located
at 203 North Church Street in Marion, Virginia.
On
Saturday, November 23rd at 12:00 pm there will be a dedication of "The Gerald Anderson
Lutherie" in honor of this outstanding Luthier from Troutdale, Virginia.
Gerald passed in June, 2019. To honor the recent passing of Helen White – the
founder of Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), the Henderson will also be
dedicating their Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) room to the memory of Helen
and her passion for helping students embrace their traditional musical
heritage.
On
Sunday there will be a separate brunch from 10:00 am -12:00 pm which will
feature entertainment by Wayne
Henderson and Friends. Tickets for the Sunday Brunch are $35, with all proceeds
supporting The Henderson Junior Appalachian (JAM) programs.
Sunday's
Guitar Summit will open with a presentation of a recent donation
to The Henderson: #35, Wayne Henderson's first walnut guitar. Perhaps with a
little coaxing, we will get the Master Luthier, Wayne Henderson to play it for
the crowd!
The
Guitar Summit will celebrate The Crooked Road’s 2-disc CD, A Century of
Heritage Guitar Music. Jonathan Romeo, program manager for The Crooked Road
notes that “The Crooked Road invited guitarists in the region who might not
have ever recorded a CD before to sit down and record themselves and send in
their recording for consideration. By doing that we were able to capture some
amazing guitar playing that very few people have ever heard.” The original
Guitar Summit was organized as a premier for the CD. We had such wonderful
feedback that we decided to create this second event in partnership with The
American Evolution’s celebration of Virginia’s heritage. The Guitar Summit 2019
celebrates the guitar in Virginia by inviting many of these musicians to come
to Marion, Virginia and perform, tell stories, and celebrate Virginia's rich
history together with other musicians and guitar enthusiasts.
The
Guitar Summit includes vocals and instrumentals, fingerpicking and
flatpicking, and performances that include guitarists in solo, duo and larger
group settings. “The Summit covers bluegrass, old time, and blues styles,” says The Henderson executive director
Catherine Schrenker. “It really
shows what the guitar is capable of in the right hands.”
“We’re delighted that many of the
guitarists on the CD will be at the Summit to perform,” said Schrenker. Rene
Rodgers, of The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, will talk about
the role of the guitar in the 1927 sessions, and beyond. Ted Olson will discuss
the history of the guitar in Southwest Virginia, including a special session on
the distinct style of Doc Watson. Jayne Henderson will be offering
demonstrations of her inlay techniques.
The
Guitar Summit will feature displays of handmade guitars and other instruments
made by area Virginia luthiers. “The
instrument making skills in the region are as impressive as the playing,”
according to Schrenker, “Several of the luthiers teach our
instrument-making classes here at the Henderson which usually fill up quickly.”
After
the Guitar Summit, attendees can walk around the corner to the Lincoln Theatre
and take in the Daily and Vincent concert at 7:00 pm. A second concert by
Dailey and Vincent will be presented on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm. The Summit
has arranged its agenda so that people can attend the concerts.
“This
will be a great day of music in Marion, and we hope folks will take full
advantage of it,” said Schrenker.
Ticket
pricing for The Guitar Summit 2019 at The Henderson is as follows:
Ticket
- Adult One Day: $35
Ticket
- Adult Two Day: $50
Ticket
- JAM Family Two Day: $75
Ticket
- Kids One Day: $10
Ticket
- Brunch (Separate from Summit): $35
For
more info, call the Henderson School at (276) 706-4011
About
the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution
The
2019 Commemoration, American Evolution™ highlights events that occurred in
Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today. Featured programs,
events and legacy projects position Virginia as a leader in education, tourism
and economic development. American Evolution™ commemorates the ongoing journey
toward the key ideals of democracy, diversity and opportunity. Dominion Energy
is an American Evolution Founding Partner and Altria Group and TowneBank are
Virginia Colony Partners.
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