Minneapolis Guitar Quartet 2011
With the passion, style, and musical sophistication borrowing from the best chamber music and string quartet traditions, the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet has successfully made its case as one of the world's leading guitar ensembles since its founding in 1986. "Flawless, musical and witty" (Classical Guitar Magazine, England), the MGQ has performed throughout the United States both in recital and with orchestra, balancing a dizzying array of first-rate repertoire ranging from Renaissance and Baroque to Spanish, Latin American and Romantic, to highly imaginative existing and newly commissioned contemporary works. Cutting-edge composer/performer Daniel Bernard Roumain, one of the more than 20 composers commissioned by the MGQ, calls the group "more than a guitar quartet, more than superb musicians, and more than a great chamber group. They are ambassadors of sound, style, and substance."
Lake Agassiz Library System sponsored four concerts within its region during State Fiscal Year 2011.
The MGQ's Minnesota Library Tour project aims to reach new audience members. Our performances will demonstrate the versatility and variety that can be achieved by a guitar quartet with music from many different time periods and cultures. The small town libraries on the MGQ tour have limited space available for musical performances, but given the relative softness of the acoustic guitar, the MGQ is well suited to these small spaces; we'll be making a case for putting the "chamber" back into chamber music.
• Event Dates, Locations and Attendance at each individual event:
November 12, 2010: Bagley Library – 44, Mahnomen Library – 12
November 13, 2010: Moorhead Library – 120, Rothsay Community Center – 46
• Partner Organization(s): Minnesota State Arts Board
• Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program:
The Minnesota Start Arts Board contributed $3,200 toward the artists’ fees.
A total of 222 people attended these presentations
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; Describe proposed end user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.In a small performance space, audience members can experience a more intimate connection with the performers. Audience members will experience our art form in a very close way and following the performances, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.
A summary of survey results are:Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor)
- Not rated - (0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (0), 4 - (1), 5 - (25), Average (4.96)
What did you like best about the program?
- It was a style I only have heard on rare occasions
- All of it
- Soothing music
- Fine music!
- Up close & personal, relaxed presentation
- Music played well, great performance (2)
- Quality of performance (2)
- Setting; sound
- Variety of music, the informality of the performers
- Classical music to Bagley & rest of NW MN
- The great talent/variety within the music/casual approach
- Quiet tranquil beauty
- The "Soul" showed in their love of playing
- Musicianship of the performers
- Scottish tunes
- Wonderful selection of pieces and beautifully performed
- Intimate setting
- Pleasant
- The good humor shared between group members - very unique & extra-ordinary pieces
- Variety of music (2)
- The music and the selections & the talent and the personable players
- Love the music
- Music & interaction w/musicians
What did you expect to learn or experience with this program? Were your expectations met?
- Sheer joy!
- Yes (11)
- An array of music
- Good music (2)
- It was simply fabulous!
- Having never heard classical guitar - new experience
- My expectations were higher, was surprised that the library was able to host such a high caliber group
- I never have heard guitars played like this
- More groups from cities area to NW MN
- To bring my granddaughter for exposure
- I expected professional and musicianship and heard it
- Way beyond!
- Enjoyment!
- Just wonderful music
- Culture
- Just to hear live the guitar quartet experiences I enjoy on NPR
- Met very well - range of music was wonderful
- I haven't heard live classical music for many, many years
- Just came to listen & enjoy & show my children (3, 6) music & guitar
- Entertainment by professional, classical musicians
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- More music (7)
- Art exhibits, more music, author reading (2)
- Arts & crafts
- Any (2)
- Other small performances
- One thing to enhance the program - rearrange the room
Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library?
- Yes (14), No(11)
How did you hear about the program?Program flier - 1Information/poster at the library - 1Information/poster in the community - 2Library newsletter - 0Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 20Radio - 1Television - 1From library staff - 2From another person - 4 Check your age range:Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (1), 18-54 (5), 55 and over (21) What is your zip code? 56560 (7) 58104 (3) 56521 (6) 56652 (1) 56667 (2) 56589 (1) 56557 (3) 56576 (1) 56514 (1) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 22 No - 3 NA - 1# of evaluations: 26