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Classic guitarists put an end to musical misconceptions

Emily Culley Abington Journal Correspondent

TUNKHANNOCK - When most people think of classical music, they think of violins, flutes and piano. Jay Steveskey and Paul Sweeny hope to change that perception at their classical guitar concert at Tunkhannock’s Dietrich Theater on Nov. 1 at 7. Tickets cost $10.

Guitarist Steveskey said that the most common misconception about classical guitar is to confuse it with classic rock music. “So, you play Led Zeppelin?” is a question he said people ask him when he tells him he plays classical guitar. While he began playing the likes of Zeppelin as a teenager, Steveskey said that now, “I’m just so consumed by classical.” He explains that he went through what he calls the evolution of the classical guitar player, meaning he began playing rock and roll, then jazz and finally discovered classical music. Now along with playing classical guitar, he has also founded the Classical Guitar Society of NEPA. More information can be found at www.cgefofnepa.com. He also has his own Web site, www.jaysteveskey.com

He said he began playing guitar at age 12. “I was just intrigued by this friend of mine. His brother had a guitar laying around the house and I used to pick it up and make some noise with it.” His expanding horizons in guitar continued with a high school music theory class and later studies at Broome Community College near Binghamton, N.Y. It was there Steveskey took a class from the teacher with whom he would later perform, Sweeny. In fact, Sweeny performed at the first classical guitar concert Steveskey attended.

On Nov. 1 in Tunkhannock, the two will present what Steveskey described as, “everything from English Renaissance up to the 20th century. It runs the gamut through the centuries.” The reason for the wide range of musical history is to expose the audience to varied sides of guitar. “It’s neat to expose them to the vast repertoire of the different time periods and countries,” Steveskey said.

He added that concert will allow the audience “to see what else the guitar can be. It can be a classical instrument, it isn’t just strumming or backup for folk music or rock and roll. Guitar is the gateway to classical music.” Steveskey said that a guitar brings listeners into the classical realm where a violin or cello cannot.

Sweeny, who has been playing for about 30 years, agreed, adding that he enjoys being an ambassador for the instrument while honing his skills. “It’s certainly fun, developing technique and being able to do that in public.”

Sweeny’s advice for people unsure about a classical guitar concert: “just listen, open your mind and listen. And if you don’t like what you hear the first time, there are a lot of styles (of classical guitar). Some even reflect newer styles.”

The November concert is the second time the two will perform at the Dietrich Theater. They have also presented concerts locally in Scranton, Carbondale and their home state of New York. Sweeny also mentioned a possible CD in the works.