While attending the International Guitar Festival Colin lived in the home of the Soberanes Family. His days started about 7:30AM. Some days he had breakfast with the family, other days he headed directly to the Cultural Centre where an International competition took place for accomplished student guitarists. There were also daily Master classes on technique, musical interpretation, etc. given by the performing artists. Each evening a different concert was performed. These were sometimes broadcast over the internet and I was able to watch portions of the various performances. So Colin was sitting there in the audience watching it all in person while I, thanks to modern technology, was able to listening in my own home here on the Isla. Amazing!! Needless to say being there in person was far superior.
Master class on composition.
My photo of the computer screen of the sitar players who now live in New York but learnt their instrument from Indian Masters. The Indian Masters never allowed any written notes or music to be written. All instruction is to be absorbed mentally.
After each performance, the Festival organizers, the maestros, a few technical people and Colin would go out to a restaurant for dinner.
A different location each night.
After dinner Colin and Heriberto would sit outside in the Soberanes garden and would make music. One or the other played, sometimes together and sometime a personal lesson on technique. Colin’s head rarely hit the pillow before 2:30AM, sometimes it was 4:00AM. The process started again the next day and Colin just loved it. Sometimes he had a few free hours, once he wondered into a class on digital photography in which he participated in Spanish talking about his photography and his website. Another day, he went with one of the Soberanes sons’ to help teach an English class to teenagers. Some days he just walked around the city of Culiacan. He thought this was a cute shot.
This fellow is holding a gilded bird and is surrounded by real birds.
This fellow Manuel J Clouthier del Rincon aka "Maquio" offered his life for an ideal...Democracy!! 1934-1989
Paul Galbraith, is an American who performed one evening. He has created a unique method of playing the guitar.
He holds this guitar, which he has amended to 8 strings, like a cello between his legs. The rod has been added to elevate the guitar so he can play it much like a cello but with his own fingers rather than a bow. He also travels with his special chair. Very unique & very impressive says Colin.
On the final night of the Festival, just before the performance, Colin was called to the stage.
He was presented with a plaque as a thank you for all his years of taking photos for the Festival while attending it. The photos he takes are used for website & promotional literature to help create a greater world awareness of this special cultural event that takes place annually in Culiacan.
The Maestro Heriberto Soberanes was also called to the stage to receive a plaque. Needless to say both he and Colin were surprised. A few times Colin had played guitar on the radio while Heriberto was promoting the festival.
Heriberto's plaque was a special thank you for his 37 years of dedication to the State of Sinaloa, his dedication to culture, to the love of music, to his composing, to being outstanding in the music field and held in awe by his colleagues..this is a very interpretive translation by me Contessa.
Now it was time, time for the final performance of the XIth Annual International Guitar Festival to begin…..
Good job Colin! I am so happy for you.
