Guitar2023-06-06T14:03:48-04:00

A Degree in Instrumental Performance, Guitar Studio

The Guitar Studio Program offers students a wide range of opportunities to develop necessary skills on their way to become high-level professional musicians. In addition to weekly private lessons, students participate in the FIU Miami Guitar Orchestra (FIUMGO), perform in regular guitar forums, attend guitar literature class, and work with guest artists in masterclasses.

The guitar forums provide students an opportunity to perform newly learned solo and chamber music. Lectures are also given during this time on various topics, such as technique, interpretation, practice methods, memorization, amplification, recording, competitions, and career planning. The FIUMGO aims to help guitarists develop ensemble skills, improve reading skills, experience working with a conductor, and perform a wide range of repertoire within a large group in the on-campus and off-campus concert venues, including the Miami International GuitART Festival.

The Guitar Literature class is designed as a study of the history and literature for the guitar from the Renaissance to modern times, helping students learn concepts and techniques for transcribing music from French, Italian, and German tablatures into modern notation, historical performance practices, significant guitar composers and their contributions to the art of the instrument, which are studied through books, handouts, recordings, and class discussions.

Students can also perform with other instruments in various chamber music ensembles, the New Music Ensemble, and have an opportunity to study and perform with the Collegium Musicum on replicas of historical instruments, including Renaissance and Baroque lute, theorbo, and viola da gamba, courtesy of the Collegium’s instrument collection, the finest and most extensive in all of South Florida.

 

B.M. in Instrumental Performance, Guitar Studio

Undergraduate instrumental performance majors prepare two recitals at the junior and senior level.

Audition Requirements

All guitar applicants must submit a 3-5 minutes video, which should include the following:

  • Provide your background in music and guitar (when, how long, what kind of guitar(s), what musical style(s) you studied and played).
  • Provide examples of performed repertoire.
  • Play short pieces or exercises you feel most comfortable. Your performance doesn’t have to be prepared perfectly, it will only serve to demonstrate your playing style. If you have a video of your performance available online, you can instead provide a link to this video.

For the live auditions, applicants should be prepared to perform two compositions in contrasting styles, from memory. Major and minor scales and basic arpeggios may be requested.

Audition Dates

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition in person at FIU. Organized auditions are held three times per year, but can be scheduled at other times throughout the year upon request. Applicants who wish to be considered for University merit-based scholarships should attend the November audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.

Upcoming audition dates include: November 18, 2023 | February 17, 2024 | and March 16, 2024.

 

Do You Have Questions?

Contact Our Coordinator of Guitar Studio

Dr. Mesut Özgen

(305) 348-7646

mozgen@fiu.edu

WPAC 156A

 

M.M. in Instrumental Performance, Guitar Studio

Graduate students present two 60-minute recitals and write extended program notes for the second recital.

Audition Requirements

Upload your biography with detailed background in music and guitar including the following information: when did you study, where have you studied and with whom, how long have you studied, what kind of guitar(s), what musical style(s), work experience, awards (if any), and a chronological list of concerts and festivals in which you have performed.

Upload a list of repertoire you have worked on and indicate works performed in concert (both solo and ensemble).

Upload a video(s) of your playing (either from a live concert performance or studio/home recording). If you have a video of your performance available online, then provide a url link.

Audition Dates

Qualified candidates will be invited to audition in person at FIU. Organized auditions are held three times per year, but can be scheduled at other times throughout the year upon request. Applicants who wish to be considered for University merit-based scholarships should attend the November audition date. Theory and history placement tests will be given during organized audition days.

Upcoming audition dates include: November 18, 2023 | February 17, 2024 | and March 16, 2024.

 

Do You Have Questions?

Contact Our Coordinator of Guitar Studio

Dr. Mesut Özgen

(305) 348-7646

mozgen@fiu.edu

WPAC 156A

 

 

Miami International GuitART Festival

Save the Dates! February 17 -25, 2024

We are pleased to present daily concerts, five masterclasses, three lectures, a composer’s panel, as well as a composition competition and luthiers expo.

Last year’s festival was a huge success thanks to our guest artists, our generous sponsors at all levels, tireless student volunteers, and audiences. Without you, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to accomplish this tremendous task of organizing a major international festival and making it a successful contribution to the lives of South Florida residents and in general to the music and guitar world.

Last year, we welcomed a wonderful group of artists from around the world, including Evan Hirschelman (U.S.A.), Celso Cano (Peru/U.S.A.), Microtonal Guitar Duo (Turkey) with Tolgahan Çoğulu and Sinan Cem Eroğlu, Duo Alto Plano (France) with Valentine Dente (flute) and Arthur Dente (guitar), Federico Bonacossa (Italy), Jacob Sudol (U.S.A.), Celil Refik Kaya (Turkey), Thomas Lippincott (U.S.A.), Felipe Carvajal (Costa Rica) and his flamenco ensemble, Muriel Anderson (U.S.A.), and of course, the FIU Guitar Coordinator & MIGF Founder Mesut Ozgen. The festival also presented many talented young guitarists in a student showcase concert with the FIU Miami Guitar Orchestra.

We were also pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Boston GuitarFest, directed by Maestro Eliot Fisk, who introduced the winner of the 2016 BostonFest Competition, Celil Refik Kaya, during MIGF this year.

The composition competition was presided over this year by FIU Composer Orlando Jacinto Garcia and joined by two other distinguished judges: award-winning FIU alumnus/composer Carlos Rafael Rivera and FIU Fulbright scholar/composer Jacob Sudol. The competition welcomes submissions of new compositions for solo guitar with or without electronics and the winning composition will be performed during the festival!