Canberra Classical Guitar Society

Canberra Classical Guitar Society

and

Wesley Music Foundation

In 2010, Canberra Classical Guitar Society and Wesley Music Foundation launched The Classical Guitar Composition Project. We are pleased to announce the two winners of the competition, Michael Sollis and Bradley Kunda. The pair surpassed the competition from other applicants and have won the two $1,000 commissions to compose works for amateur guitar orchestra, and specifically for the Canberra Guitar Ensemble (made up of members of Canberra Classical Guitar Society).

Michael Sollis has previously written works for voice and instruments as well as musical publications. His achievements include prizes from the Sydney Performing Arts Challenge (categories: Best Australian Song 2008, Best Original Composition 2007) and the ANU Harold Allen Memorial Prize for Composition 2005, among others. His works have been performed by the Griffyn Ensemble, dominantSEVEN, Tucarna Flute Quartet, The Australian Voices, Queensland Conservatorium Brass Band and many others. Michael keeps busy as the ACT Branch Manager – Musica Viva, Composition Tutor РANU School of Music, Artistic Director/Founder – The Griffyn Ensemble, Musical Director – Canberra Mandolin Orchestra, Musical Director – Canberra Boys Choir and many more.

Bradley Kunda won the coveted 2005 National Undergraduate Scholarship at the Australian National University, where he is currently a PhD candidate in guitar performance.  Bradley won first prize in the Fifth International Competition “Festival de Córdoba” (Spain) and the audience prize in the Nikšić International Guitar Competition (Montenegro). He was awarded the 2007 Erika Haas Award for the most outstanding instrumental performance student at the Australian National University. He is currently the recipient of an Australian Professional Award.  Bradley performs as a member of the BREW Guitar Duo,  contemporary music septet dominantSEVEN and Australia’s leading guitar quartet, Guitar Trek.   As a composer, his guitar works are regularly played on ABC Classic FM and have been finalist entries in the 3rd International Australian Guitar Composition Competition and the ASME Young Composers’ Awards.  Bradley currently teaches guitar performance in the pre-tertiary program at ANU and tutors and lectures in various musicology subjects for undergraduate students.

Canberra-based Brew Guitar Duo members Matthew Withers and Bradley Kunda were interviewed by Alex Chilvers for the March 2011 issue of ABC’s Limelight magazine. The interview is online at http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au.

Limelight is featuring Brew Guitar Duo’s second CD Landscape as its recording of the month with a review in the March issue which goes on sale 16 February.¬† According to the review, Landscape is described as “stunning.”¬† Those of us lucky enough to already own a copy would certainly agree.¬† Well done to Bradley and Matthew!!

You can order a copy of their CD through their website http://www.brewguitarduo.com/ or download it from iTunes, CDBaby, eMusic and other sites.

Bradley and Matthew are also busy as soloists (see below) and as members of Guitar Trek guitar quartet alongside Minh Le Hoang and Timothy Kain.