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CAWSAND BAY
GUITARFEST
2025

An exciting classical guitar weekend by the sea on the stunning Rame Peninsula,  with Craig Ogden, Eden stell Guitar Duo (Mark Eden, Christopher Stell), Alison smith & Gerald Garcia

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5th - 7th September 2025
eden stell duo
alison smith

Following on from five successful Guitarfests, we are returning with another exciting weekend combining great music in an area of outstanding natural beauty that inspires creativity. The stunning location by the sea makes for a perfect break from the hustle and bustle.

There will be concerts, a master class, workshops, ensemble playing, a presentation by Gerald Garcia, Anatomy of an Etude – Why write an Etude? informal playing opportunities, afternoon tea, sea view dinners and lots of fun in a friendly environment. 

We are delighted that the highly acclaimed guitarist and composer William Lovelady will be arranging one of his beautiful works and Gerald Garcia one of his Etudes specially for the course ensemble to play as two of their repertoire pieces. The Rame Peninsula is a magnificent landscape of rolling hills, sandy beaches, tidal creeks and country parks. 

The concerts and classes will take place in the quaint twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand (used for part of the filming of Mr Turner, a Mike Leigh Film) with it’s charming narrow streets of colour washed cottages. One of the concert venues is by the rocks on the water’s edge and the master class venue over hangs the sea and has a balcony for the coffee break! There will be time in the breaks to enjoy the area and if anyone wants to extend the weekend to be able to explore more, Alison (course director) will be around on Monday.

William Lovelady
gerald
Read comments from 2024's GuitarFest

This is a weekend not to be missed with a superb line up of Classic fm chart topping Craig Ogden, one of the world’s finest guitarists (Head of guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music), Mark Eden & Chris Stell (Eden Stell Duo) internationally renowned for their dynamism, innovation and breathtaking virtuosity( teaching positions at the Royal College of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)  and Alison Smith, one of the UK’s most exciting and lyrical guitarists, who often leaves audiences spellbound by her sensitive playing ( teaching position University of Plymouth and previously Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and the fantastic, highly popular international guitarist and teacher, Gerald Garcia.

PREVIOUS Guitarfest COMMENTS

“For anyone wanting a fantastic weekend focused on classical guitar, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

“Really enjoyed the Guitarfest again this year – excellent choice of ensemble pieces plus superb concerts, good company and the sea! Everything was just right!”

“What a great weekend – excellent concerts, fascinating workshops, a great bunch of people and, of course, stunning scenery.”

“Thank you, Alison, for such an enriching weekend! You have created an exceptional course; not just for the informative and educational content of learning classical guitar, but a feast for all the senses – magical scenery, joys of the sea, immersive music and fabulous food.”

“I just wanted to say thank you again for a fabulous time at the Cawsand Guitarfest. It’s definitely an annual event in my/our calendar now. Such a lovely group of people.”

“Many, many thanks for another great weekend of exhilaration at Cawsand. Every year it gets better – such a number of musical talents in one place seems hardly credible. I’m in for next year, please keep me posted. It’s hard to know where to start with the highlights – all of it was so great, more of a mountain range!”

“I hope you managed to get a good break after all the hard work at your brilliant Guitarfest! We all had such a good time – you really have a great talent for making people happy!”

“That was another amazing weekend – great pieces, great professionals and concerts, excellent masterclasses, and good, amusing company. We’re all impressed by your organisational skills and cool head.”

“Thank YOU, Alison, for another fantastically enriching weekend… you triumphed again! Your ceaseless efforts to bring every single aspect together astound me. A perfect blend of magic for all the senses… so lovely to reconnect with everyone and meet some new people too… can’t wait for next year!”

Thanks again for an excellent festival. It was a very rich experience, and it was inspiring to be around such excellent guitarists, such as yourself. And to hear the premieres of Bill’s compositions. I hope you can get some downtime now and bask in the success of the festival.”

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