On Thursday March 18^th, Menchvilles Intermediate, Advanced, and Chamber Ensemble guitar students traveled to CNU for its 5^th annual Guitar Festival. Students from Smithfield, Kecoughtan, and Woodside were also involved, giving students the chance to perform and learn from other groups.

Special guest Gilad Hekselman, a famous Jazz Guitarist based out of New York ,was also in attendance. He gave helpful critiques and suggestions to groups.

Junior Noah Nipp was one out of three students given the chance to perform on stage with Hekselman. After performing “All Of Me” written by Count Basie, Nipp demonstrated some of his improv abilities. He also had the opportunity to participate in a “live’ guitar lesson, getting helpful pointers and tips from the experienced guitarist.

“The main thing I got out of the experience was a mini lesson on transcribing,” said Nipp.   Transcribing on guitar refers to listening to a piece of music, taking a piece of it, putting it on the guitar, and making it your own.

“Getting the chance to play with Hekselman was actually really cool. It’s always a cool experience to play with someone on that high of level.”