For students looking to learn more about guitar, Cain Budds, assistant professor of guitar and music theory at Louisiana Tech University, will be the guest artist at Guitar Festival this year, and he will also be giving a master class. On March 27 at 2 p.m., inside the Pottle Auditorium, Budds will be teaching a standard repertoire of classical guitar for guitar students.
“In a master class,” Budds said, “students play for me, and I talk to them about their skills and try to help them improve. I’ll give them pointers on technique and musicality.”
Budds received bachelor’s and master’s degree from Illinois State University and his doctorate degree in music from the Arizona State University. He has performed all over the U.S. and Mexico, and he has appeared as a soloist with the Laredo Philharmonic.
“I’ll be playing a standard repertoire of guitar,” Budds said. “One piece is a brand new piece from an ex-student of mine who graduated from Louisiana Tech in 09. Now he’s a doctoral student at LSU. Also, I’ll be playing some Spanish contemporary pieces, basically a mix of old and twentieth century music.”
This will be Budds’ first time at Southeastern and being away from Ill. He has only been in Louisiana for five years. His expectations for the master class and his solo recital are good.
“Hopefully, I’ll play some good music that people can enjoy,” Budds said.
His advice for students would be, “Don’t skip class and take full advantage of every opportunity you have to learn about music.”
After the master class, Budds will give his guest artist solo recital at 7 p.m. in Pottle Auditorium. Admission is free. For any questions about the master class or guitar festival, contact Patrick Kerber at pkerber@selu.edu.