Guitarist Brad Richter Returns as Gund Visiting Artist

Internationally recognized guitarist and guitar composer Brad Richter visited Westminster May 3 as a part of the Graham Gund Visiting Artist Series. He gave a concert program in the Werner Centennial Center of traditional folk songs, classical pieces and traditional jazz songs, and was accompanied by singer Carly Pedersen and cellist Viktor Uzur. This was Brad’s second visit to Westminster, having performed for the school in 2001.

Brad opened the concert by playing some solos.  Then he, Carly and Viktor performed a number of pieces including four that Brad had been commissioned to write about Lake Bonneville, an ancient lake in Utah.  They ended the concert by performing songs by Stephen Foster, and George and Ira Gershwin.

Following the concert, all three artists took questions from the audience, and Brad demonstrated how he likes to develop new sounds with the guitar. He also explained about his prototype guitar that has a space-age carbon-fiber backing and an inner panel of foam. Later in the day, Brad, Viktor and Carly held a question and answer session with about 75 students of music.

Brad began teaching himself to play guitar and compose at age 12. At 18, having had no formal musical training, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he began performing, composing and eventually teaching professionally. After completing his undergraduate degrees in performance and composition, he accepted a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. He became the first guitarist in the college’s history to win the coveted Thomas Morherr Prize, and went on to win the Royal College of Music guitar competition, before completing his master's degree and returning to the U.S. to continue his concert career.

Brad has performed throughout North America and Europe as a soloist, with renowned chamber ensembles and in duos with artists such as Grammy-winning cellist, David Finckel of the Emerson String Quartet. Brad’s performances and compositions are frequently heard on NPR and PBS stations around the United States.

His festival appearances have included the Guitar Festival of Great Britain, The London International Guitar Festival, The Aspen Music Festival and the Walnut Valley Festival, where he won the National Finger-picking Championship, a competition that features some of the world's finest guitarists from all genres. He also won first place in the 2004 International Composer’s Guild Competition. At home in Tucson, Ariz., Brad teaches music at the University of Arizona.