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Steeple Concerts at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield will present the Canadian Guitar Quartet in concert on Sunday, January 26  at 5:00 pm. The general public, including guitar enthusiasts throughout the area, are cordially invited to hear this group of gifted, internationally acclaimed, classical acoustic guitar stylists.

Founded in 1999, The Canadian Guitar Quartet is considered one of the finest guitar ensembles in the world. The quartet has toured extensively in North and South America.  They have performed with major orchestras across Canada, and are featured on the CBC, Radio-Canada and Bravo! Television. Other memorable performance venues include the Guitar Foundation of America’s annual convention, Yale University’s Guitar Extravaganza, and the Norfolk (VA) and Ottawa chamber music festivals.

CGQ’s January 26 program at St. Paul’s will feature a mix of dynamic, original music and classical masterpieces arranged for a chamber ensemble of four players.  Music inspired by the Argentinean tango is given a special focus on the program which, if past CGQ concerts are any indication, promises to be an “unforgettable experience.”

The group has released four critically acclaimed CDs.  So positive has been the audience response to the CGQ that their first concert at the 92nd Street Y in New York City (part of the Art of the Guitar series) moved the New York Classical Guitar Society’s Don Witter Jr. to write, “CGQ made one of the greatest New York City debuts of any artistic ensemble in decades…STUNNING !!!”

Mark Hyczko, Music Director at St. Paul’s, says,“The concert on January 26 will be CGQ’s first performance in New Jersey and the third program of our 2019-20 Steeple Concert season.  Our goal,” imparts Mr. Hyczko, “is to enable local residents – including students, the elderly and music lovers who cannot travel long distance, to hear internationally recognized musicians and musical ensembles in a comfortable, easy-access venue at reasonable prices.  Steeple Concerts at St. Paul’s,” adds Hyczko, “are pleased to offer this ongoing opportunity to the Westfield community and beyond.”

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 414 East Broad Street in Westfield.  Church and area parking are free.  Tickets at the door are $25 (adult) and $10 (student). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.steepleconcerts.org.  Following the concert, attendees are invited to meet the artists at a reception in the church narthex.

Steeple Concerts 4 and 5 in the 2019-2020 season will feature music for brass quartet on March 29 and choral music by Beethoven and Dvorak at St. Paul’s 33rd Annual Masterworks Concert on Sunday May 3rd.

Steeple Concerts at St. Paul’s are sponsored by the Friends of Music, a 501(c)3 organization devoted to presenting the arts in Westfield.  Submitted by T.J. Karns, Publicity, St. Paul’s.