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2012 JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition semifinals at WNED

by jmaloni
Tue, Jan 17th 2012 07:00 am

Semifinals for the 2012 JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition will be held in the WNED studios located in downtown Buffalo. They will also air on WNED-TV on June 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. The competition is presented by WNED and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and honors BPO music director and acclaimed classical guitarist JoAnn Falletta.

"We are excited to announce that for the first time in the history of the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, the semifinals will be broadcast on WNED-TV," says WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. "Being able to bring this international event into the homes of Western New York and Southern Ontario exhibits the rich and strong culture in the arts that resonates within this area."

The competition finals are scheduled for Saturday, June 9, on the Kleinhans Music Hall Main Stage. The three semifinalists will compete in a full performance with the BPO under the direction of Maestro Falletta. Following the performance, the judges will select the 2012 competition champion. Finalists will be competing for a package of prize money, a concert tour and a concert guitar graciously donated by gifted Mexican luthier Gabriel Hernandez Jimenez.

"The addition of the WNED television broadcast is a very special component of the competition, as it will reach out into our community allowing one to experience the excitement of the competition in a very personal way," says artistic director Joanne Castellani. 

Once again, the esteemed Buffalo-based virtuoso guitar duo of Castellani and Michael Andriaccio will act as artistic directors for this renowned international event. Judges from around the world are artists who excel in their fields.

Applications must be received by April 1. Artists who are interested in competing are encouraged to visit www.fallettacompetition.org for information about application requirements. From the preliminary judging that takes place in April, eight performers will be invited to compete in the semifinal rounds on June 6 and 7.

Tickets for the finals on June 9 can be purchased for $12 through www.BPO.com or by calling Kleinhans Music Hall at 716-885-5000. 

About WNED

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well/WORLD TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970, the member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services to local, regional and national audiences that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities.

Additional information about WNED can be found at www.wned.org.

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