This story is part of an ongoing series titled CSUB in the Community, which will highlight various programs and organizations on campus that serve the community through their programming.
International classical guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan will perform at California State University, Bakersfield next week as part of the university’s Guitar Arts Series.
The concert, which is open to the public, will be held on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 127 of the music building. Larget-Caplan will perform a mix of classical and contemporary pieces, including original music as well as new arrangements of music from composers such as Johan Sebastian Bach.
“We’re very excited to have Aaron here. He’s a lot of fun,” said Jim Scully, director and co-founder of the Guitar Arts Series. “There’s a lot I really like about Aaron, both as a person and as a player, but my favorite thing might be that he really has a focus and love of new music and playing music by living composers. While he also plays music people have heard before, his concerts always have a good chunk of stuff that’s brand new.”
Larget-Caplan, who lives in Boston, is visiting CSUB as part of a California tour. While he has performed at the university twice in the past, this will be the first time that he will participate in a residency at CSUB.
During the April 5-7 residency, Larget-Caplan will listen in on rehearsals and coach guitar students — including non-music majors — to help them further develop their guitar skills.
“The concert’s neat, but being able to interact with the students is when it really becomes special,” he said. “If I can help out some students and tell them what to watch out for, that’s great. I would also love to hear what they’re doing.”
While Larget-Caplan has done residencies in the past, he said the upcoming CSUB residency is one of the longest he’s done and one of only a few in which he has had the opportunity to interact with guitar majors specifically.
“Often when I tour, I’m in one place for a day or so. A residency really does allow me to put down some roots, to interact with faculty as well as students and get a flavor for the area that I’m in,” he said. “The fact this is one is so guitar-centric makes this really exciting. I’m usually working with composers or general student musicians.”
Scully hopes Larget-Caplan will be able to help students hone their guitar techniques and gain a new level of expertise.
“Aaron wants to help students no matter where they are or what level they’re at. He’s very accepting in that way,” Scully said. “I think it’s going to be a great experience for our students.”
Tickets to Larget-Caplan’s concert are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors 60 and older and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased here.