After taking a ten year break from performing, these days classical guitarist Chris Anderson is quickly emerging as a regular recitalist at music venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.  His concerts in recent months have included performances in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Pa., Frederick, Md., Charlestown, W.Va., and Leesburg, Va.  Others are scheduled in Baltimore, Md., Wilmington, De., Richmond, Va., and many other towns throughout the area.

 

On stage, Chris balances pieces at the core of the classical guitar’s repertoire with others that are rarely heard.  A growing number of works by widely recognized composers such as Bach and Ravel are getting his attention as well.  He’s adapted music originally written for the Elizabethan lute to the guitar, as well as other pieces from the piano works of the Spanish composer Enrique Granados.  His concerts typically end with a few of his arrangements of American jazz standards.
Anderson’s involvement with the guitar started over forty years ago.  After moving from Canada at the age of seven, Chris lived across the street from a music store in Hagerstown, Md.  The store quickly became his favorite hang-out spot.  He learned mostly by watching customers and employees try out instruments, and from an older brother who also played guitar.  As a teenager, Chris was working in the music store and playing in church twice a week.  He was also frequently performing with various groups playing acoustic music at coffeehouses, schools, and festivals.

 

While attending Bethany College near Wheeling, W.Va., Chris became a passionate admirer of the music of J.S. Bach.  A friend gave him a recording of Bach's music played on a classical guitar.  A few days later, he sold his steel-string guitars and started studies on the classical instrument.  After graduating in 1976 with a major in history and an over-sized minor in music, he pursued additional undergraduate studies in guitar performance at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va.

 

He went on to serve as a guitar instructor at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W.Va. and taught in and around his hometown for eleven years.  During that time he was regularly featured as a solo recitalist by regional art councils, colleges, and institutions.  His playing was spotlighted on Maryland Public Television.

 

Chris spent three years studying privately with Franco Platino in Washington D.C.  He’s also been a performing student at masterclasses taught by nineteen of the world’s most respected guitarists.  Among them have been Sharon Isbin, Manuel Barrueco, Pepe Romero, Raphaella Smits, and Frederic Hand.

 

Currently, Chris confines his musical activities to concert performances, recording, and arranging music for the guitar.  He lives in Hagerstown with his wife Julie and stepson Adam. In his spare time, he's an avid chef.  He also gets on a bicycle from time to time, although not often enough to keep his wife from telling him he needs to get some exercise.

 

Contacts

 

Grant Hellmers

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Phone: 804-643-3589 ext. 5406

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Chris Anderson

Phone: 301-739-0876

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www.AndersonsGuitar.com