Days to go
Take a look at the lovely feedback from past Cawsand Bay Guitarfest attendees.
“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for a fabulous weekend. Everything was so well thought through and impeccably organised and more than anything – great fun! From the ensembles to the concerts and master classes I loved it all and want to do more! I will definitely be signing up to next year’s course.” – Andrea Norris
“What a fantastic success! Thank you most sincerely for such an enjoyable and stimulating weekend. Please could you put Sue and myself on your definite list for next year. We look forward to it already!” – Allix Cotton
“Thank you for the music, friendship and laughter. There’s no times like Cawsand times and thank you Ali for making the magic happen. A highlight of the year for us all.” – Nicky Russell
“Just to say a huge thank you to you and the team for such a good job on the festival. Everyone felt very welcome and we found the concerts were real artistic high points. It was also fun. Please pass on my congratulations to all.” – Gerald Garcia
“Still buzzing after a great guitar weekend.” – Roger Robinson
“Thanks again for another great Cawsand.” – Eric Felton
“A really enjoyable Cawsand weekend. Congratulations on another great success.” – Clive McGavin
“Congratulations on a great weekend at Cawsand. I’ve booked my accommodation for next year.” – Geoff Rob
“Thank you for another wonderful and well organised Guitar Fest.” – Patrick Egan
“Thanks again for all your work, which resulted in another very enjoyable Guitarfest. I am looking forward to next year.” – David Lunn
“Just wanted to say how fabulous this weekend has been and how much I appreciate all the hard work you put in. All the details you provided, even giving us photos of the venues, were very helpful and welcoming and making sure everyone was catered for.” – Russell Walker
“For anyone wanting a fantastic weekend focussed on classical guitar, it doesn’t get any better than this.” – Geoff Roberts
“Really enjoyed the Guitarfest again this year – excellent choice of ensemble pieces plus superb concerts, good company and the sea! Everything was just right!” – Eric Felton
“I hope you’ve recovered from all the hard work that went into your fantastic guitar festival. What a great weekend – excellent concerts, fascinating workshops, a great bunch of people and of course stunning scenery.” – Gary Jordan
“Thank you for yet another superb weekend of classical guitar. I hope you get a well-earned rest! For me, I think this was the best one yet (and they’ve all been great) – somehow I just seemed to learn more this time around. The ensemble pieces were good choices – even if one or two were a little daring. It all worked and came together very well. The concerts were varied and each was top notch. The food was great too – The Bay catered well for Louise, which always makes things so much easier for us. So, thank you to you and your hard working team. Already looking forward to next year…” – Kevin Toller
“Thank YOU, Alison, for another fantastically enriching weekend… You triumphed again! Your ceaseless efforts to bring every single aspect together astounds 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!” – Melissa Hanson
“Another triumph! Thank you so much for a very successful and enjoyable international weekend at Cawsand. We are all amazed at your cool organisational skills and your ability to give a concert at the same time as keeping the show on the road. It is clear that the weekend is gaining acclaim and that the professionals love coming to teach and play. The course seems to have acquired some very good new talents and the quality of the music has increased. Good choice of pieces. Please can you put my name down for next year.” – Clive McGavin
“Well done for organising such an excellent weekend of guitar music! I really enjoyed it and am already looking forward to next year’s GuitarFest.” – Mark Armitage
“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 am in for next year – please keep me posted. It’s hard to know where to start really with high points – all of it was so great, more a mountain range. Your concert brought some kind of magic, even more profound with Gerald in the audience and I am sure Bill was there in the ether at least listening. I will shortly be looking for the pieces by Bill that you played – especially Open Plains and Edie. The Sor was a terrific piece I thought with its various themes and the telling of its story. Craig and Eden Stell lifted us all above and beyond in their spectacular concerts; pretty sure the whole ambience of Cawsand must help with the performances. Please let them know how much I enjoyed hearing them play.” – Ken Hattersley
“Hope you are well and have had a chance to rest after all the work of the GuitarFest. Really enjoyed the event – the music, the ensemble, and a lovely mix of down to earth people.” – Jonathan Evans
“Congratulations on another brilliant Guitarfest weekend! Always a lot of fun and beautiful music, company in a gorgeous place.” – Elaine Davies
“Thank you Alison – lovely weekend and your kindness is wonderful.” – Sandra Buckingham
“Wonderful as always, Alison – well done and thank you.” – Cari Aplin
“Thanks for another wonderful weekend!” – Louise Toller
“Amazing weekend, Alison – thank you so much!” – Steve Moran
“So much pure pleasure – once again! Thank you, Alison.” – Nikki van der Eyden
“Really great weekend. Thanks.” – Jeremy Langton
“I must say the weekend was idyllic, and it was such a treat to participate. I appreciate the effort it must take to organise such an event.” – Patrick Egan
“Just a quick note to thank you and your helpers for another wonderful festival! It just gets better every year.” – Richard Cunningham
“Cawsand magic again. Good job! I’m in for 2023.” – Ken Hattersley
“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 venues. Personally, it was an unforgettable few days. Interesting and hugely entertaining company all round, alongside some truly captivating guitar performances! All topped off with the scenic delights of the coast and paddleboarding fun in the sea. Just wish we didn’t have to wait a whole year for the next one!” – Melissa Hanson
“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.” – Cari Aplin
“Very special weekend! Thank you.” – Susan Batkin
“Wonderful weekend! Thanks.” – Nick Walden
“Just a note to say how very much I enjoyed and benefited from Cawsand 3. It was a tremendous and successful effort on your behalf and so good to see old faces and some new. Thirty amateurs seems an ideal size and I expect there will be competition for places for next year, as the word about the course will surely continue to spread. I must add a comment on the really happy atmosphere amongst the group.” – Clive McGavin
“Just a quick note to say thank you from Louise and myself for another superb weekend! Once again you picked ensemble music that was just the right standard for the weekend and great fun to play. Please put us both on your list for next year. We’ll be booking as soon as the dates are out and have already earmarked our accommodation again!” – Kevin Toller
“Thanks for another wonderful weekend.” – Louise Toller
“Thanks for a great weekend again!” – Steve Thompson
“Another brilliant weekend. Thank you, Alison.” – Nikki van der Eyden
“Thank you for all your hard work and excellent programme.” – Ursula Tidd
“Thank you for a superb weekend.” – Lorna Mackay
“I had a great weekend and I will definitely be booking again for next year.” – Steve Moran
“Thank you for hosting such an excellent Guitar Fest. I really enjoyed it – not just the music but also the conviviality of being able to meet up with like-minded people for some truly excellent dinners.” – Mark Armitage
“Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the weekend. A great bunch of people and wonderful music. Thank you for the excellent organisation too. I am certainly interested in attending next year, so please can you add me to your mailing list or let me know when booking opens.” – Peter Summers
“2021 was an exceptional and very special event. Thank you and your team for all your hard work. Every concert was magical and the coaching sessions and masterclasses were informative and enjoyable.” – Susan Batkin
“Thank you for once again organising such a brilliant weekend. I have already booked accommodation for next year!” – Nikki van der Eyden
“Just wanted to let you know that both Louise and I thought the weekend was superb again! We are already looking forward to next year. I must compliment you on your choice of music for this event. Once again, you pitched everything at just the right level – all the pieces were playable at a good tempo, but with sufficient challenges to make them all interesting to work on. All the pieces were great fun, really enjoyed them.
As expected, the masterclass with Craig was first rate. I learned lots from every performance with Craig’s analysis and thoughtful commenting. The session with Chris and Mark was also excellent, with some great advice coming forward. The Q&A with all four of you was very entertaining, but also informative – it’s so interesting (and often reassuring) to get a glimpse of the reality of the professional guitarist’s world.
To top it all: excellent food, excellent company, and three brilliant concerts.” – Kevin Toller
“I had to write to say another great weekend – thank you for putting it all together. I think you provided two years of benefits there in the one weekend and have made a whole bundle of people happy.
Your recital with Bill Lovelady’s work was truly memorable – three world premieres! The more so with Bill there in person himself to grace the performance. Quite special really.
Craig and Eden Stell again simply astounded with their stunning recitals too – Craig’s playing of the Scarlatti and Bach especially kinda left me a bit breathless! Really nice guys and very helpful and fun. All terrific. Please keep me in touch with stuff and put me down for next year.” – Ken Hattersley
“That was another amazing weekend – great pieces, great professionals and concerts, excellent masterclasses, and good amusing company. We are all impressed by your organisational skills and cool head.” – Clive McGavin
“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.” – Ursula Tidd
“I know we all said thank you on Sunday, but I just wanted to say how much I (and Wendy) enjoyed the weekend. Everything went smoothly without a hitch, and it was super to hear three live music concerts again and play in the ensemble under your expert conducting. I was given very useful practice advice by Chris and Mark regarding my errant RH thumb at their workshop, and I think Craig is an excellent educator – so helpful regarding performance nerves.” – David Morris
“Another triumph! Thanks, Ali.” – Roger Robinson
“Alison, thank you for a wonderful weekend.” – Richard Cunningham
“A great weekend – look forward to the next one.” – Jeremy Langton
“Thank you Alison, I had an amazing time.” – Lizzy Douglas
“Great. Same again next year, Alison.” – Andy Pryor
“Fantastic weekend – yes please to 2022!” – Stephen Carroll
“It was a fantastic weekend, and a well-deserved success for you and all involved!” — Willowhayne Records
“Thank you again for a fabulous weekend. Graham and I had a wonderful time and made new friends. The concerts were fabulous.” — Cari Aplin
“I just wanted to say, I had a really fantastic weekend. The Guitarfest was everything I expected and more. All the time and effort that went into organising it really showed as it ran so smoothly. It was a privilege to be taught by yourself, Mark and Chris, and of course Craig.” — Nick Walden
“That was such a splendid weekend guitar festival which you arranged and it was clear that everyone loved being there. I benefited in so many ways and came home inspired to give more time to practice – the only way to make progress of course, but it is good to be re-invigorated and this weekend certainly did it for me, especially the ensemble playing and the workshop and master class. The location was idyllic and I look forward, hopefully, to another similar weekend. I know how much you put into it and hope that you are now able to relax, knowing how successful all your work turned out to be! Sue feels the same and had a wonderful weekend of music making and listening. We much appreciated your concert in the church and your choice of programme. Thank you most sincerely, Alison, for everything, above all lovely memories and marvellous sounds!” — Allix Cotton
“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!” — Sarah Longland
“Thanks Alison for such a great course and time together. It was all very inspirational and I hope it can be repeated. So much gorgeous music to hear and the ensemble sound is still in my ears.” — Valerie Belsey
“Just wanted again to say thank you to you and your team for putting together a fabulous weekend. I think you achieved a lovely balance of ensemble playing, tuition and concerts. The ensemble pieces were very well chosen. It was a real pleasure to get into the interpretational and musical aspects right from the outset. The Eden-Stell workshop was superb. They are such great educators. Craig is clearly a master! I am so pleased I gave the masterclass a go — I learned so much from Craig and rather surprisingly found myself put at ease by his style very quickly. All three concerts were top notch and quite special. Your team of helpers were brilliant too and helped make everything run smoothly. All in all a fabulous weekend. Same again next year please…” — Kevin Toller
“Totally awesome! Definitely would come to next year’s Cawsand Guitarfest.” — Stephen Carroll
“Just to say a huge thank you for the fantastic Cawsand Guitar Festival that you organised over last weekend. A great balance of events and excellent teaching and instruction throughout. Well done! I hope there will be more!” — Tim Freeguard
“Just to say many thanks again for a great weekend and do let me know about future events. It must have been a huge undertaking to get it all up and running and on top of that the fantastic concert you gave, so I hope you are now getting a bit of well-earned peace. Please pass on my thanks to Craig, Mark and Chris for hosting their sessions and their concerts. And your helping ladies — wonderful coffee and cake breaks! Of course, the weather was great but I reckon I and all the rest of the participants would be writing emails of appreciation like this even if it had been snowing.” — Ken Hattersley
“It was a marvellous weekend in such a beautiful place and with lovely music and people. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and I know Allix did too. The weather was perfect. So pleased you are planning to do the course next year.” — Sue Fox
“Thank you for a lovely weekend. Such a pretty place, I wish I lived nearer. I enjoyed all of the weekend — not just the cake — so thank you and your lovely lady helpers for all your organising and hard work, which must have taken enormous effort, and for being so welcoming to us both and so much fun. It was lovely to catch up with those people I already knew and to meet new people along the way.” — Sandra Buckingham
“Many, many thanks and congratulations for a wonderful weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and haven’t stopped telling my husband every tiny detail.” — Sue Batkin
“Wonderful weekend! Thanks for all your hard work to make it happen.” — Steve Thompson
“Congratulations on an excellent course.” — Andy Pryor
“So uplifting! Thank you Ali.” — Roger Robinson
“Please do next year.” — David Morris