Composer: Anonymous
Arranger: Stephen Brew
Instrumentation: Guitar Quartet
Era: Medieval
Description: "Hotaru Koi" is a traditional Japanese song that pays tribute to fireflies. This arrangement is inspired by the Orff-Schulwerk approach of using overlapping ostinatos to create complex musical textures. Each rehearsal number indicates a change in ostinato for a particular guitarist. Therefore, the eight rehearsal numbers reflect eight pattern changes. Though the patterns themselves are simple, the rhythmic interplay between the parts creates a complexity that demands a steady pulse and lots of counting. This piece is dedicated to the guitar ensemble students at the Fayetteville YMCA.
Form: Stand Alone Movement
Type of Work: Chamber Music
Type of Ensemble: Guitar Quartet
Nationality: Japanese
Parts: Score and Parts
Publisher: SECONDAPRATTICA.ORG
With a vast array of performances that include a tour of Spain with the Fredonia Guitar Quartet, a mini-recital in conjunction with the Great Lakes Guitar Society, and an appearance as a national semifinalist in the prestigious Schadt String Competition in Allentown, Pennsylvania, guitarist Stephen Brew has effectively established himself as a performer of incredible talent and ability. His musicianship has allowed him the opportunities to perform at the Rantucci International Guitar Festival as a member of the Fredonia Guitar Quartet, as well as at Fredonia State’s concerto competition, where Mr. Brew was selected as a competition finalist. His hard work and dedication is most keenly reflected in his recent acceptance into the doctor of musical arts program at the Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, where he has received a full scholarship.
In addition to his performing endeavors, Stephen has been an active instructor of young guitarists. Mr. Brew currently works with youth guitar ensembles through non-profit organizations, community music schools, and supplemental education programs. He is in the process of co-designing a guitar curriculum with internationally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Zaira Meneses, and his arrangements for youth guitar ensemble have been well-received. In the summer of 2012, Stephen was asked to assist with the youth guitar workshop at the Boston International Guitar Festival and Competition, where he helped prepare beginning students for a performance at the festival. Mr. Brew studied with Kenneth Meyer at Syracuse University and James Piorkowski at the State University of New York at Fredonia. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, studying under maestro Ernesto Bitetti.