ithout question, the single most important and exciting guitar event of this season was the Andres Segovia Master Class series held at the University of Southern California in July. The event was a musical milestone and a boon to guitarists everywhere, not only because Segovia hasn't taught formally in the United States for about 15 years, but because from his earlier classes emerged those great players who have become today's leading figures in the guitar world. To have gotten Andres Segovia to teach once again was a coup of immeasurable proportion.

Mrs. Emilia Segovia demostrating and alternate sitting possition

And yet, almost in spite of the monumental size of the happening, the two-week series of master classes at USC came about as somewhat of a fluke. Segovia had played a concert in Los Angeles in February, and at a dinner party in his honor he was casually asked if he was interested in teaching the class. Two months later, in April, Segovia unexpectedly said yes, leaving a stunned USC three months to make all the necessary arrangements. The preparations began, and the entire plan for the class was formulated: there would be 12 performing students and an unlimited number of auditors, the proceeds going to a " Segovia Endowment Fund" for music students at USC.

There were to be a total of eight classes spread over ten-day period (July 15-24)and from the 12 players was supposed select three perform in student recital on next last day classes.

When news of the master class spread around the nation, over 100 guitarists sent audition tapes and a large panel of USC faculty members did elimination.

Anisa Angarola - California

Wednesday, July 18th, the classes finally began, and a standing ovation awaited Maestro Segovia as he walked onto stage of USC's Bing Theater. Segovia looked alert and energetic, and his gentle, worldly manner quickly put the players at ease. He listened to six performers per day and Emilia Segovia, his wife, sat by his side assist to him.

Throughout the classes, Segovia focuses mainly on musical interpretation making only brief references technique whenever absolutely necessary. He continually stressed phrasing and accent changes in the pieces being studied. As classes progressed it became evident that although things were generally running smoothly one, there was one growing difficulty: day after day passed, and Segovia had not selected the three players to perform in the student recital. Time was running out and a decision decision had to be made.

David Breaugh - Texas

From Segovia's standpoint, the dilemma of which three players to select was a great one; he had been impressed with every one of the twelve performers, and to single out any three as being "the best" would have virtually impossible.

After much deliberation, reached surprise decision: the recital would feature all twelve players, not just three!

Newa of the fantastic desicion by Segovia spread like wildfire around the USC campus and with a good reason-history was in the making. For Segovia to have made such unprecedented decision was absolutely amazing, and it helped to generate more interest in the class.

When the student recital finally came it was a full house and enthusiastic audience. The media, also, did not neglect the class; a small battery of television and magazine reporters came to videotape and photograph the Maestro as he taught players.

William Kanengiser - California

To the delight of everyone who attended the classes, Segovia's personal charm was at its peak; he was an elegant man, eminently lovable, warm and witty, with an eloquent style thet radiates peace sweetness. When you hear him speak you cannot help but feel that he was the whole world's mentor, a very wise and very trusted friend knows what best. This was Segovia's true essence, and it manifested itself unmistakably during the master classes."For me" says David Breaugh a performing student in the class , " working with Maestro Segovia was the ultimate experience in my guitar studies. The USC Master class was not only a close encounter with the muscial genius of Segovia, it was a brief moment in the history of the guitar-and the man who helped shape it". With those words undoubtedly expresses sentiments whose lives were touched by the class
Scott Bach