The Arts Achievement Award is an honor given to one WSU alumnus each year in recognition of lifetime achievement and distinction in music. Charles Postlewate is being honored for his didactic accomplishment of systematically adding the right hand little finger to Classical Guitar technique. His research and study spanned seventeen years, culminating in the publication of "Right Hand Studies for Five Fingers", a collection of 353 exercises, and his latest CD, "Homage to Villa-Lobos".
Wayne State Music will also be hosting a workshop with Charles on Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 1 to 4 p.m. in room 2402 of the Old Main Building. He will be demonstrating the "Right Hand Five Finger Technique" to all participants. Participants are welcome to bring their guitars to this hands-on workshop. The guitar workshop is free and sponsored in part by the Classical Guitar Society of Michigan. To register for the workshop or for additional information, please call (313) 577-2614.
Charles Postlewate began studying classical guitar at the age of twelve. He studied music at Wayne State and received the first Bachelor and Master of Music degrees (1969 and 1973) in guitar performance in the University's history, studying with Joseph Fava. He has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and featured soloist with orchestras across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the Caribbean. His recordings for the Prism label have brought critical acclaim from the Associated Press, National Public Radio and guitar publications in the United States, England and Germany.
Postlewate is a founding member of the Guitar Foundation of America and has published feature articles in their quarterly journal, Soundboard, as well as in Guitar International, American String Teacher and Guitar Player Magazine. He is currently an Associate Professor of Music at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Wayne State University Department of Music is celebrating 86 years of artistic and academic excellence. The Department's faculty includes renowned jazz artists, composers, scholars, educators and members of the internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra. WSU alumni have gone on to careers in distinguished orchestras, ensembles and as soloists and music educators the world over.