The concert will feature the full Western Guitar Ensemble (over a dozen guitarists), the Western Guitar Quartet, the Western Rock Ensemble and several soloists from the guitar program.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Missouri Western State University Department of Music at (816) 271-4420.

Several times during the day, people were being turned away because we were already at legal capacity and the hosting venue, Last Call, documented that they had the highest sales in the history of the club.

The money raised for the Ward family to help support the financial strain of their sudden loss, was beyond all expectations.

Our sincere thanks to the volunteer participation of nearly every band in our area, the support of music critic, Blake Hannon at the St. Joseph News Press, Dave Ledden of Kansas City radio stations, KYYS, The Buzz and The Rock, the event venue, Last Call Bar and Grill and our many sponsors (cf. below) who helped make this one of the most successful events in the musical history of St. Joseph.

We feel confident that this unbelievable response and support of the Foundation activities will continue to grow throughout St. Joseph and our branch divisions that are already underway in California, Oregon, Arizona and France.

In the words of Dave Ledden of Entercom (owner of the three Kansas City radio stations) “…this is an incredible example of musicians taking care of their own… one entrance fee, 13 bands, two stages and one cause…”

Thank you for being a part of this tremendous success and we look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Sincerely,
The St. Joseph Music Foundation
Board of Directors

The class will be directed by Anthony Glise, head of the guitar program at Missouri Western and will feature guitarists from the university. The class is free and open to the public. Additional guitarists from the region are invited to bring their guitars and take advantage of this evening of free lessons and coaching on the instrument and to hear the diverse repertoire performed by the students.

The newly founded St. Joseph Music Foundation, like the Guitar Festival, is dedicated to various community outreach activities and professional support for musicians and music lovers throughout the region. A representative from the Foundation will be at the Café to answer questions about the upcoming Foundation activities.

For further information contact:
Café Acoustic: (816) 671-1141
Websites: http://www.stjosephmusicfoundation.org/
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/guitarfestival

SJMF Prospectus (pdf)

The SJMF membership is open to all musicians (professional, student and amateur) and music lovers of all ages. The foundation is designed to offer various means of support (per solidarity, legal, contracting issues, community outreach activities and health insurance as well as various career development classes and residual support).

The first, open-to-the-public meeting will be this Thursday, (September 13) 7:00 PM at Café Acoustic, 2605 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, Missouri (telephone: [816]-671-1141).

This foundation is, beyond question, the most professionally-organized support organization that I have ever seen and I sincerely hope that you will take the time to visit the meeting this Thursday at 7:00 to get a closer view of how the SJMF will help further develop the music scene in St. Joseph.

Sincerely,
Anthony GLISE