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Acoustic guitarist Michael Gulezian to perform at St. Olaf on heels of new CD release

By Anna Palmer '03
March 12, 2004

Veteran acoustic guitarist Michael Gulezian returns on his annual sojourn to St. Olaf College this Saturday, March 13, at 8 p.m. in the Pause. His concert will feature live musical selections from his nine-track CD, Concert at St. Olaf College.

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Gulezian
Advance copies will be on sale at the performance. The concert is free and open to the public.

Gulezian travels throughout the United States demonstrating his guitar virtuosity but says he looks forward to returning to St. Olaf for the 12th time.

"Over the years my music seems to have connected at St. Olaf," Gulezian said. "It draws the kind of students who are creative, understanding, compassionate and courageous, which is really what my music is all about."

Gulezian combines classical technical guitar, American folk music, jazz and ethnic harmonies with rock-and-roll inspired energy to create his music.

"Mix it all up and music comes out of the guitar in the way that I happen to write as a composer," he said.

After laboring in relative obscurity for years, Gulezian has been featured recently on National Public Radio, performing live on the nationally syndicated programs "World Café," "Echoes" and "West Coast Live," which reach a combined audience of more than 1.5 million.

"Music is a sacred calling for me," Gulezian said. "A lot of responsibility goes into having the ability to affect people."

Last year's concert at St. Olaf was memorable for the live recording, initiated by Pause concert chair Alex Oftelie, who graduated last May. Gulezian collaborated with students, including Pause Technical Director Tyler Breuch, to produce the CD. Art Apprentice Anthony Clune, another 2003 graduate, videotaped the performance and edited segments that are present on the enhanced CD.

Gulezian plans on giving any profits the CD makes to the College in the form of an endowment or scholarship fund in appreciation for the continual support students have shown him

Contact Anna Palmer at 507-646-6437 or palmera@stolaf.edu.