URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival 2024 is a Must for Music Lovers

The classical guitar, mandolin, and just about anything else with strings find their yearly time to shine in Kingston with players coming from all around the world to stir emotion with sound. The URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival puts the instruments and the music that comes from them front and center. Held October 13 and 16-20 at various venues around the Kingston campus, the schedule includes concerts, workshops, lectures, masterclasses, three categories of performance competitions, a composer-in-residence program, a luthier expo, and a children and youth guitar program.

“The throughline of the festival is the exploration and celebration of string instruments, particularly guitar and mandolin, in their various forms and genres,” says festival organizer and guitarist Adam Levin. “By showcasing a wide array of musical styles – from classical and jazz to folk and Latin – the festival emphasizes the versatility and universal appeal of these instruments.” Levin explains that the diversity in the lineup and concerts demonstrates the many ways string instruments can be expressed, “highlighting musical diversity, and the boundless potential of these instruments to connect different cultures and traditions.”

It is always Levin’s hope for the festival that attendees will experience “a-ha” moments of surprise when they realize just how versatile and emotionally powerful string instruments can be. Whether it’s through a heartwarming folk tune, an intricate classical piece, or a lively jazz number, he wants the audience to form a deep, lasting connection with the music and the instruments that make it possible.

“The guitar and mandolin each bring distinct and often overlooked qualities to the musical table. The guitar, with its rich tonal palette, can evoke deep emotions through gentle classical melodies, energetic jazz rhythms, or soulful Latin tunes. It’s an instrument that tells stories and connects across cultures,” Levin explains. “The mandolin, on the other hand, has a bright, shimmering sound that adds a unique texture and rhythmic drive, especially in folk and classical music. Its crisp, clear notes can bring a sense of joy and lightness, making it stand out in any ensemble.”

Levin notes that for non-music theory enthusiasts, watching live performances can be a sensory treat. “Look out for the intricate fingerwork of the musicians, the way they use their whole body to express the music, and the subtle interactions between performers. The energy, spontaneity, and nuances that musicians bring to a live setting are often lost in recordings.” 

He goes on to advise, “in any live performance at the festival, the acoustics of the room can enhance the richness of the sound, and the communal atmosphere amplifies the emotional impact. The audiences’ reactions and the musicians’ responses to them create a unique, dynamic experience that makes live music deeply engaging and memorable. The immediacy and presence of being in the same space as the performers bring a profound connection that is simply unmatched by virtual or recorded experiences.”

The URI Guitar and Mandolin festival features a lineup that is world-class from start to finish. As Levin notes, “The artists speak for themselves, and I’m proud of all that they have to offer! I would not miss the all-day music festival at the General Stanton Inn on Sunday, October 13, which will give everyone a sampling of everything they will hear at the festival from blues, jazz, Latin, classical, mandolin and fusion.” For the full schedule and ticket information, visit URIGuitarFestival.org.