EMMA Concert Association to feature Grammy Award winning classical guitarist

Renee Unsworth
Updated ·3 min read
The season opens Sunday, September 10 with Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin, a classical guitarist who was named 2020 Musical America Worldwide Instrumentalist of the Year.
The season opens Sunday, September 10 with Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin, a classical guitarist who was named 2020 Musical America Worldwide Instrumentalist of the Year.

Full orchestras. Classical guitar. The history of rock ’n’ roll. Opera favorites. Music from movies. The 45th season of the EMMA Concert Association will bring six concerts to the St. Augustine stage in 2023 and 2024.

The nonprofit organization partners with Flagler College, hosting concerts in Lewis Auditorium in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district. Tickets include free parking at the St. Johns County Council on Aging, with a complimentary shuttle to and from the venue.

“We are thrilled to host these concerts and offer high quality performances for the St. Augustine community and its visitors,” said Joanne Everett, president of EMMA Board of Directors.

Started by a small group of music lovers in April 1979, the organization was named after a famous Spanish cellist, Emil Maestre, who retired to St. Augustine.

EMMA gives back each year with a college scholarship specifically for music majors, along with providing funds to music programs at local schools — with a mission of continuing music education for future generations.

“We thank our patrons for helping us to continue to support local music programs in St. Johns County schools and provide scholarships to music students at Flagler College and beyond,” Everett said. “We can’t imagine a world without music, and we want to ensure that doesn’t happen,”

Sharon Isbin & The Pacifica Quartet

The season opens Sunday, September 10 with Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin, a classical guitarist who was named 2020 Musical America Worldwide Instrumentalist of the Year.

Isbin created and directs the guitar departments at the Aspen Music Festival and the Juilliard School. Isbin has appeared as soloist with more than 200 orchestras and has commissioned more concertos than any other guitarist.

Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style and daring repertory choices, the Pacifica Quartet has gained international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today.

Five other concerts throughout the 45th season include:

  • October 28 - Bad Boys of Opera — Back by popular demand! The Bad Boys of Opera is touring concert production featuring highly acclaimed vocalists providing a program of opera hits and popular music.

  • December 12 - Jacksonville Symphony — The acclaimed Jacksonville Symphony will perform EMMA Concert Association’s annual Holiday Pops concert, a festive event during St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights.

  • January 21, 2024 - Sofia Philharmonic — The national orchestra of Bulgaria will perform a program of Mozart from Figaro to Jupiter.

  • March 16, 2024 - Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll — Neil Berg musicians and singers share the music and often unknown stories from the 50-year history of the music that changed the world.

  • May 4, 2024 - St. Augustine Orchestra — In cooperation with the Romanza Festivale of the Arts, the St. Augustine Orchestra will perform an evening of classical, pop, and movie favorites.

To learn more and purchase tickets visit emmaconcerts.com or call the EMMA ticket office at 904-797-2800.

Learn more at emmaconcerts.com and follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/emmaconcerts and Instagram @emma_concerts

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: EMMA Concert Association to feature award winning classical guitarist