The Stetson University Community School of Music, as part of its Guitar Summer Camp, will present a classical guitar concert series, Friday, July 26, and Thursday, Aug. 1, featuring Stetson School of Music alumni.

Guitarist David Stringer ’13, and the Galestro-Smith Duo, featuring guitarist Jonathan Smith ’11, and flutist Angela Galestro ’12, will perform at 7 p.m., Friday, July 26.

Guitarists Philip Logan ’11, and James Van Druten ’13, will perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1. Both concerts will be held in Lee Chapel inside Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Both events are free and open to the public.

David Stringer earned his undergraduate degree in music—guitar performance, at Stetson University in 2013 as a student of professor Stephen Robinson, Ph.D. Stringer has attended and competed in a variety of competitions including L’Academie Internationale Domaine Forget, Quebec, Canada (2012), the Columbus State University Guitar Symposium, Columbus, Ga. (2013 and 2009), East Carolina University Summer Guitar Festival, and Greenville, N.C. (2009).  In 2009, he won the Artist Competition in guitar at the Winter Music Symposium held at the University of North Florida. Stringer will pursue his master’s degree in performance as a scholarship student at Florida State University in August 2013.

The Galestro-Smith Duo, pictured above, formed in early 2010 during their classical studies at Stetson University. Flutist Angela Galestro and guitarist Jonathan Smith have delighted audiences across central and west Florida, northeast Ohio and most recently in concerts as far away as Assisi and Cervo, Italy. Both highly accomplished artists, the Duo offers a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, Latin American and popular music. Angela and Jonathan received their undergraduate music degrees from Stetson University as students of Susan McQuinn and Stephen Robinson, respectively. They are currently studying at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, where they were awarded teaching assistantships.  They plan to graduate in 2014 with Master of Music degrees in performance on their respective instruments.

James Van Druten also graduated from Stetson University in 2013, with a Guitar Performance degree. He has served as a teacher’s assistant to Dr. Robinson, and served on the Student Advisory Council. He has competed in multiple festivals and competitions, becoming a semifinalist at the Rosario International Guitar Competition, 3^rd prize at Appalachian State International Guitar Competition, Division II, and 2nd Prize, 7th Annual Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival, Senior Division. In August 2013, James will attend Appalachian State University in pursuit of a Master of Music in Guitar Performance. He has been awarded a graduate teaching assistantship.

Philip Logan majored in Guitar Performance, and minored in Music Technology at Stetson University, where he graduated in May 2011 as a student of Stephen Robinson. He has performed in a variety of settings ranging from classical, to jazz, pop and rock, both with his duo Strings Attached, and the band Run Rhino. He has served as Guitar Director at University High School in Orange City since August 2011.  Logan will pursue his master’s at the University of Akron, Ohio, where he has accepted a graduate teaching assistantship beginning in August 2013.

For two weeks, beginning Monday, July 22, and running through Friday, Aug. 2, Stetson alumna Jessica Floyd ’12, will be teaching the Guitar Summer Camp, both beginning level and advanced courses to students ranging from 6^th to 12^th grades. Beginning students will learn basic techniques for playing the guitar including note reading, chord strumming, tablature reading, basic theory and music appreciation. More advanced skills such as solo repertoire, ensemble experience and in-depth theory analysis will be covered in the advanced level courses. A highlight includes a master class with renowned guitar professor Stephen Robinson. The guitar camp will conclude with a concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, in Presser Hall, 419 N. Woodland Blvd., on Stetson’s campus.

The Community School of Music Summer Camp for ages 5-11 will be offered Monday-Friday August 5-9, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., in Feasel Hall inside McMahan Hall, next to Presser Hall.

The young students will experience a variety of musical opportunities including West African/Caribbean drumming, Orff instruments (small xylophones and glockenspiels), singing and fun rhythmic games, and learning all about the harp with harpist Cameron Huster. There will be a performance featuring the campers at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, in Feasel Hall.

“We are excited about our first Guitar Summer Camp and the opportunity the participants will have in a master class with renowned guitarist and professor, Stephen Robinson,” said director Claudia Gatewood. “This is the fourth year for the Community School Summer Music Camp and it is a week of joy-filled musical fun.”

For more information on Stetson’s Community School of Music, please contact director Claudia Gatewood by phone, (386) 822-8962, or by email, [email protected]. Registration for the Guitar Summer Camp and the Community School of Music Camp is available online at www2.stetson.edu/music/community-school. Registration is open until the camps begin.

by Jessica Floyd and Maurie Murray