Curriculum

Orchestra Hall is the home of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth. It has been a premier center for youth development in classical music since 1963. Since 2008, high-level classical guitar training has been offered there.

A Note About the Curriculum

The curriculum for guitar lessons at Fort Worth’s Orchestral Hall is highly structured. Designed by Mitch Weverka, it is the result of many years of teaching experience and a thorough review of current and historical guitar methodologies. It is also informed by current research in cognitive development.

The lessons stress the development of sound technique, music reading, and musicianship (theory). Lessons are exclusively classical. However, a strong foundation in classical techniques offers an excellent departure point if students become interested in other genres of music. Studying solfeggio (Do, Re, Mi, etc) can be of enormous value to students, so its practice is integrated throughout the curriculum. As a rule, tablature is not used. The exception is when high-level students examine historical lute repertoire.

Once students can read simple melodies fluently in first position, they move on to the music and methods of 19th century guitarist/composers Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Matteo Carcassi, Dionisio Aguado and 20th Century guitarist/composers Julio Sagreras and Leo Brouwer. Once students have sufficient experience with these masters, they are given more latitude to choose their own material. They begin to explore the extant concert repertoire and are encouraged to experiment and explore different styles of guitar playing.

Students are encouraged to attend as many professional guitar performances as possible. Recommended presenters include the Fort Worth Guitar Guild, the Fort Worth Guitar Society, Guitar Fort Worth, Performing Arts Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Opera, as well as various local churches that sponsor high level performances.

So that students have the opportunity to perform, recitals are organized in December and May. This is in addition to opportunities that arise from involvement with the Fort Worth Guitar Guild.