The Fresno City College music department held its “Six-String Showcase” in the Old Administration Building Auditorium on May 2.

Featuring guest artists the New West Guitar Group, the event showcased the progress of FCC guitar students.

In order to highlight the skills of students in beginning through advanced classes, instructors Kevin Cooper, David Schramm and Steve Nance guided students in learning group ensambles and solo pieces.

The set of songs performed was diverse and well-rounded. Students and guest artists played everything from acoustic covers of classic rock to traditional Zulu compositions.

The work of Manuel Ponce, Federico Moreno-Torroba, Bryan Johanson and Steely Dan was included in the program. In addition, FCC music instructor Mike Dana’s composition, “And in Time, October,” premiered at the event.

The performance also showcased original compositions by FCC guitar students.

Micah Byers, whose piece “Tailor” was performed by the Intermediate/Advanced guitar class, was able to gain firsthand experience composing for a large ensemble.

“It’s tricky, because you’re dealing with a class … there’s different levels, so when writing for a group like that you have to make sure that it’s accessible to everyone you’re writing for.”

The sound of the showcase was enriched by additional instrumentation including percussion, electric bass and the use of both steel- and nylon-stringed guitars.

“It was cool to hear [my piece] on live instruments instead of computer sounds, and it was really exciting to see the support from the music faculty and the school and the reaction from the crowd,” said Byers.

The performance was planned and prepared well in advance and provided students with an exciting opportunity to share their abilities with a large audience.

“We’ve been preparing for this a little bit over two months, now,”  said John Loera, one of the participants in the concert.

Each class rehearsed its own pieces individually. However, the showcase also brought all guitarists together to perform as one massive ensemble.

“We had a total of one full rehearsal with everybody there and two other extra credit rehearsals,” said Byers.

Even with a limited amount of time to collaborate as a single group, FCC’s guitar students were able to work together to create a unique and diverse evening of song.

“It’s amazing what we can do with literally three hours,” said Byers, “how we just came together to create that sound and such a solid performance.”