College of William & Mary 

Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tidewater Classical Guitar is proud to present an all-day guitar festival bringing together 100+ guitarists from across Virginia and North Carolina for a day of collaboration, rehearsal, and performance at William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

This event will unite guitar orchestras, studios, and individual players for a mass guitar orchestra experience, culminating in a public evening concert. 

Download festival information HERE

Festival Highlights

• Special opening workshop by David Russell
• Sectional rehearsals and combined rehearsals throughout the day
• Featured performances filmed for the Justin Holland Project
• Newly arranged works by Justin Holland (1819–1887) and a premiere of Holland’s Harvest by Virginia composer David Robinson 
   

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, April 17, 2026

• Evening Concert: David Russell at The Concert Hall of the Music Arts Center at William & Mary 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 18, 2026

• 8:30 AM – Festival check-in
• 9:00 AM – David Russell Welcome & Opening
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Sectional Rehearsals (Guitars 1–4)
• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch on your own — explore Colonial Williamsburg
• 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Combined Rehearsals including Justin Holland repertoire (filmed)
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Break / Dinner on your own
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Dress rehearsal
• 7:30 PM – Festival Guitar Orchestra Concert at The Concert Hall of the Music Arts Center at William & Mary 7:30 PM (filmed - free & open to the public)

Lunch & Dinner

Lunch and dinner breaks are on your own, allowing participants to explore Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area. A list of nearby restaurants and cafés will be provided closer to the event.

Who Should Attend

• Members of guitar orchestras
• Advanced high school and collegiate guitarists
• Adult community players
• Guitar instructors and studio musicians
• Independent players comfortable reading ensemble parts

Concert Attire & What to Bring

Concert Attire: Concert black for the evening performance

Please bring:

• Your instrument
• Printed music
• Music stand
• Stand light (if needed)
• Footstool or guitar support

Festival Repertoire & Music Downloads

The festival will feature music by and inspired by Justin Holland, one of the most important American guitar figures of the 19th century. These works will be rehearsed and performed as part of the mass guitar orchestra and filmed for inclusion in the documentary project.

Featured Works:

Arranged by Kate Oliphant / Edited by Cindy Spell

1.  An Andante
   – Justin Holland
2.  Musette de Ana 
   – François Devienne / Justin Holland
3.  Martha
   – Friedrich von Flotow / Justin Holland

David Robinson – Holland’s Harvest

• I. Homage to Justin Holland (~3’30)
• II. Smell the Roses in My Garden (~2’30)
• III. Quilt Dance (~2’30)

Request Festival Music – tidewaterclassicalguitar@gmail.com
(Registered participants will receive part assignments and download links by email.)