VCU news

By Kenan Keranovic

Twenty-five years ago, John Patykula, area coordinator of guitar and associate professor for VCU Music, received a faculty grant. Patykula used those funds to create a series of concerts, which launched in 1992 as the VCU Guitar Symposium. If it sounds unfamiliar, it should. What was then known as the VCU Guitar Symposium is now a popular event held on campus every summer, the Guitar and Other String Series concerts.

The symposium title wasn’t short-lived because of a lack of success. Instead, Patykula says, the word “symposium” led many people to believe some sort of speech would be delivered, and that confusion hindered the final product. The first and only symposium featured blues, folk and classical music, with musical acts such as the late Charlie Bird. Ultimately, that mishap led to the VCU Guitar and Other Strings Series, which now strictly incorporates guitars and string instruments.

Beginning July 7, VCU will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Guitar and Other Strings Series. Featuring four concerts across three weeks, the annual event is introducing new acts and bringing back regulars that helped lay the foundation. Internationally and locally renowned artists include The Electric Croude Bande, Celtic Masters and fan favorite Quatro na Bossa. The series always concludes with a concert by the 25-member VCU Community Guitar Ensemble. The series continues to deliver musical diversity to the VCU community and attracts a loyal following every year.

“Let me put it this way,” Patykula said, “during the summer I see people at the concert series who I don’t see during the school year.”

The series attracts fanatics of music, culture or both. Quatro na Bossa, possibly the most popular act, year after year, is a Brazilian group and Patykula also makes it a point to have a Celtic concert every other year. The VCU Music program first and foremost seeks out quality and talent when making selections, but it’s important for it to bring eclectic flavor to a community known for its tolerance and acceptance of different lifestyles.

“I think the strings series offers a type of music you don’t hear during the normal academic year,” Patykula said. “We’ve had such a variety of styles and it’s really perfect for the summer because it’s very entertaining.”

It helps that the musical acts generally like performing at VCU for the dynamic it flaunts.

Cities the size of Richmond don’t have as vibrant or diverse a music scene as RVA.

“This concert series is part of what makes Richmond awesome,” said Laura Ann Singh, vocalist for Quatro na Bossa. “Cities the size of Richmond don’t have as vibrant or diverse a music scene as RVA, and the Guitar and Other Strings Series always puts together great concerts.”

“Each year we use the concert as an opportunity to learn and present new material, and each year inevitably leads to some introspection about the evolution of our collaborations,” said Kevin Harding, guitarist for Quatro na Bossa. “Our performance at VCU has a bit of the flavor of a homecoming to it. It’s always welcoming and rich.”

Aside from the artists adoring the series for the energy and fans it attracts, they also appreciate the venue for professional reasons. Many of the artists perform outside frequently, which invites myriad problems, such as bad weather or the compromise of good sound. The concerts are held in the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, and Patykula has heard feedback from enough artists to know the sound setup is favored by many.

“Everybody that comes here says the sound is really, really good,” Patykula said. “It’s the acoustics along with the sound requirements provided by Curt Blankenship, our Concert Hall manager, that make it so great.”

Considering the success of the concert series and all it has done in helping the culture of VCU Music, Patykula has no plans on scratching a thought process that has gotten him this far. He continues to be modest — shrewd even — and to operate under the adage of “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

“I know what my audience wants, and I give them that,” he said. “Even if I won the lottery and could afford some of the biggest names, I still don’t think I would do it.”

Patykula wishes to keep the local flavor and authenticity of the series present.

“I just keep going,” he said.

 Guitar and Other Strings Series 2017 

The Electric Croude Bande, with George Maida, Julia Dooley, Chris Lucas, Keith MacPhee and Mike Linn
Friday, July 7, 7:30 p.m. 
General Admission: $15

The Electric Croude Bande, which includes some of the finest acoustic musicians in Central Virginia, will present a program titled “Through the Seasons” — songs and tunes, mainly originals, that complement the different moods and times of the year. The Electric Croude Bande represents the spirit of George Maida's Saturday night show on 88.9 FM WCVE (now in its 32nd year), where shawms and Stratocasters are no strangers to each other and equally share music through the ages in a unique sonic forum.

Celtic Masters, with Maggie Sansone (hammered dulcimer), Sharon Knowles (Celtic harp), and Jody Marshall (Celtic hammered dulcimer)
Friday, July 14, 7:30 p.m. 
General Admission: $15

Three award-winning Celtic masters present a program originating from the deep well of our ancient folk traditions. Maggie, Sharon, and Jody combine the energy and spirit of traditional music with the harmonies and depth of classical interpretation and their own dynamic blend often called “chamber folk.” These Celtic masters have been active in the exciting Celtic renaissance that combines many styles and influences like an intricate tapestry of sound.

Quatro na Bossa, Brazilian bossa nova and samba
Friday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. 
General Admission: $15

Kevin Harding and Laura Ann Singh formed Quatro na Bossa in 2003. Drawing from Brazilian composers and performers, Quatro na Bossa’s repertoire includes familiar classics, rare or forgotten pieces, and some original material. Quatro na Bossa has performed for private functions, film and cultural festivals, clubs and restaurants. Laura Ann Singh fronts the band as vocalist with guitarist Kevin Harding, and bassist Rusty Farmer. A guest percussionist completes the ensemble. They have performed regularly around central Virginia and play frequently at the Lincoln Center's Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York. In 2008 they released Summer Samba on Venus Records. Quatro na Bossa's innovative arrangements and unique style result in music that is fresh and engaging while remaining authentically Brazilian. QNB offers infectious Brazilian popular and folkloric music to those who may never have heard it and to beat back saudades for those who have.

The VCU Community Guitar Ensemble 25-member guitar orchestra with guest artists. Directed by John Patykula
Sunday, July 23, 4 p.m. 
Free admission

The VCU Community Guitar Ensemble consists of 25 talented classical guitarists from Central Virginia. Established in 1986 by John Patykula, this ensemble has performed as part of the Richmond International Music Festival and Richmond’s Big Gig summer festival. It is the resident ensemble for VCU’s Guitar and Other Strings Series. The VCU Community Guitar Ensemble has been featured on local television and on WCVE-FM’s An Hour with the Guitar. Special guests include soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs, classical banjoist John Bullard, and the Robinson Guitar Duo.

All concerts will be in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. For tickets and additional information, visit arts.vcu.edu/music/events or call the VCU Department of Music at 804-828-1169.