December 2014 Meeting: Frederic Hand


Tone and Relaxation
An interactive class devoted to both tone production and maximum relaxation, specifically holding the guitar, locating tension in the body, and adopting proper hand positions, nail shape and angle of attack.

The presentation will be followed by a short open-mic playing time for members. Sign up in advance to play — see the Member Events page for details. NYCCGS Member Events are free and open to all members and first-time guests, and are supported by a generous grant from the D’Addario Music Foundation.


Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7:00 PM

Manhattan Theatre Club Creative Center
311 West 43rd Street, 8th floor, between 8th and 9th Ave. (map)
New York City

A graduate of the Mannes College of Music, Frederic Hand was a Fulbright Scholar to England and a student of Julian Bream. His solo performances, both in North and South America and Europe have received the highest critical acclaim. The New York Times wrote: “He played unerringly, with all the verve and spirit that one could ask.”

Appointed the Metropolitan Opera’s guitarist and lutenist in 1986, he has accompanied Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and many other renowned singers.

His scores for television earned him an Emmy Award and his composition Prayer received a Grammy Award nomination. His arrangement and performance of the theme for the film Kramer vs. Kramer led to his own best-selling recording for Sony, Baroque and on the Street. He has also recorded for BMG and the Musical Heritage Society. His compositions have been published worldwide.

He has been an Affiliate Artist with the State Arts Councils of New York, Colorado, Arizona and Washington. Guest appearances include the New York Philharmonic, Mostly Mozart Festival, Marlboro Music Festival and the Caramoor Festival with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. For his recording and performances with flutist Paula Robison, he won the Classical Recording Foundation’s Samuel Sanders Award.

Formally head of the guitar departments at SUNY Purchase and Bennington College, he serves on the faculty of Mannes College The New School for Music.