National Youth Guitar Ensemble

The National Youth Guitar Ensemble, or NYGE, is a musical ensemble composed of young guitarists from all over the United Kingdom, from the ages of 13 to 18. Ever since starting in 2000, its numbers have grown, and NYGE has performed with such distinguished guitarists as John Williams and the Eden Stell Guitar Duo. In April 2006, NYGE performed the world premiere of "Roundelay", at their perennial concert venue of Bolivar Hall (within the Venezuelan Embassy, London), in the presence of Stephen Dodgson, who composed the piece specifically for the ensemble after he had been impressed at a previous concert. In July 2007, NYGE gave a concert on the final night of the inaugural World Youth Guitar Festival.^[1] playing amongst others, the demanding Lorca Concerto for two guitars and guitar orchestra, by Gerald Garcia. NYGE's other repertoire includes pieces by Leo Brouwer, Peter Warlock, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Alfonso Montes, Colin Tommis and Ástor Piazzolla. Most recently, in July 2008, NYGE performed at Winchester Guitar Festival 08,^[2] where they launched a new CD - "Festive Fizz".

NYGE has been directed for many years by Gerald Garcia and was previously directed by guitarist Chris Susans, who left management in 2007. NYGE was set up by the European Guitar Teachers Association (EGTA) to enable ensemble training for young musicians and provided human and financial resources. The newly appointed administrator (from 2008) is Liz Larner.In 2010 there was a total of 36 guitarists in the ensemble, playing with percussionist Keith Fairbain. The ensemble meets twice a year, for around a week at a time.

References

1. ^ WYGF.org^{[dead link]}
2. ^ Winchesterguitarfestival.co.uk^{[dead link]}