| Classical Guitarist: Brian Cullen |
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| Brunswick, Maine | |
| Click here to learn about lessons | |
| Click here to learn about performances at weddings and events | |
| Contact info | |
| Testimonials | |
| Audio samples |
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Brian's bio |
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Brian Cullen has been playing and teaching the classical guitar for 30 years. He is originally from South Africa and was founder of the Durban Classical Guitar Society in South Africa. Brian taught and played extensively in South Africa as well as organizing many concerts for both students and visiting international artists for the Classical Guitar Society. He graduated from Trinity College of London in guitar performance and music theory. He studied with Narciso Yepes and his student Fritz Buss, Professor of guitar at University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg SA and also studied at the Len Williams Classical Guitar School in London. He has also attended and played at master classes in South Africa and the USA. Tuition is available in groups and individually. For groups that are associated with an institution such as schools and residential communities, Brian will gladly travel to the location. All ages, children to seniors, beginner to intermediate to advanced. Teaching method is based on Trinity College of London syllabus from standard 1 through to standard 8 for classical guitar. Each standard has a highly varied repertoire encompassing early Renaissance, Baroque through to Modern and avante garde music. Theory of music, harmony, scales, chords and arpeggios are taught relevant to the grade standard of the student. For those wanting to test themselves, Trinity College holds annual exams and performances for all standards. |
| Classical Guitar Course: an eight week, once a week, introductory course that will teach | |
| 1. | The basics of reading guitar music. |
| 2. | How to hold the guitar correctly and pick with thumb and three fingers. |
| 3. | How to play simple solos and chords, including two part playing. |
| 4. | How to tune the strings correctly. |
| 5. | Preparation for more advanced technique and fret board harmony. |
| Brian is available to play guitar at your wedding or event. Brian plays acoustic guitar, focusing on Classical, Brazilian, Broadway, Classical and Latin styles. He is influenced by David Russell, John Williams and Julian Bream. | |
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Brian is also an accomplished tenor and will sing songs for weddings and
other events such as ; The Wedding Song(There is Love), Amazing Grace, Morning has broken, Ave Maria, Annies Song |
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| Location | |
| Brian in based in Brunswick, Maine. He will travel up to 300 miles to play at your event. This includes the following locations: Topsham, Merepoint, Bath, Freeport, Orr's Island, South Harpswell, Bowdoinham, Durham, Lisbon Center, Lisbon Falls, West Bowdoin, Woolwich, Sebasco Estates, Bailey Island, Georgetown, Lisbon, Phippsburg, Pownal, Small Point, Yarmouth, Chebeague Island, Trevett, Cumberland Foreside, Lewiston, Cliff Island, Cumberland Center, East Poland, Minot, North Yarmouth. | |
| Event examples | |
| Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Private Parties, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Ski Lodges, Studio Sessions, TV Soundtracks, Weddings | |
| Cost range | |
| $200 - $800 per event | |
| Music and repertoire examples | |
| Pre-wedding ceremony guest arrival: Bach Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring; Rondo and Gavotte; Prelude from the First Cello Suite and Little Prelude; Air on a G string. | |
| Wedding processional: Mendelssohn's Wedding March or Wagner's Bridal March | |
| Meditative pieces for during readings or register signing, two beautifully romantic pieces: a Spanish Folk song called Recuerdos de la Alhambra (this translates to Memories of the Alhambra, which is a very old Moorish castle overlooking Granada in Spain); and Two Pavanes (Fifteenth century stately dances) by Luis Milan. | |
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After the wedding ceremony and other social events: Some light flamenco: Alegrias, Malaguena, Soleares etc Villa-lobos Preludes and Studies (contemporary Brazilian classical guitar) Fernando Sor - Mozart Variations and more Albeniz Asturias and more Classical Gas, Anji and other Light Jazz. Cavatina - theme from the Deer Hunter. Suite Espagnol - Gaspar Sanz. Norwegian Wood - Beatles. Augustin Barrios - La Cathedral. Capricho Arabe - Tarrega. Lauro and other Latin American composers. Tango, Samba and BossaNova Vocals; The Wedding Song(There is Love), Amazing Grace, Morning has broken, Ave Maria, Annies Song Partial LIst
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| Testimonials | |
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Brian was wonderful! He was very easy to work with, anticipated any need
that we might have had, and his music was beautiful. Just right for our
wedding ceremony and cocktail reception on Sebago Lake. I recommend him
without reservation. --Ginna S. South Casco, ME 5/10/2008 |
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Brian met with the wedding couple prior to the wedding to select music. They
only had the highest of praise for him. At the wedding, he accommodated our
request to play on the beach and by the reception area. He is a very
talented musician. Our guests loved his music. We would highly recommend
him. --Caroline T. Denmark, ME |
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| Brian is
a professional of the utmost caliber, and a
gentleman as well. I would recommend him most highly for any event, but his
sensitivity to the needs of a wedding seems to be a special talent he
possesses. His talents lent an unforgettable element to our wedding, and
elevated the event to a much more sophisticated level than it would
have otherwise been the case. Thank you sir, for
being a part of a day
that will be remembered in our two families! Christopher Mcphee 12/18/07 Auburn, ME |
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| Brian Cullen's sets
featured a variety of traditional classical guitar repertoire including both pieces composed for the instrument as well as transcriptions of Bach and others. Cullen played with delicate subtlety and a lyrical sense of phrasing. I was impressed by his ability to play multiple melodic lines simultaneously without loosing continuity or a sense of line. In Cullen's capable hands, the guitar can truly sing. The dramatic, storytelling capabilities of the guitar were also showcased, especially in the piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra: I found myself totally engrossed in Cullen's evocative soundscape- 6/27/07 |
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| Brian Cullen was an
excellent choice for our wedding. He played during both the ceremony and
reception cocktail hour/dinner and our guests were complementing us on our
choice of music. His style was a perfect compliment to our vision for our
wedding, summer, relaxed yet somewhat traditional, airy, and fun. We had
some timing issues with the reception due to the caterer but Brian took it
all in stride, playing some amazing music during dinner. I would recommend
Brian Cullen to anyone looking for music at their event. His professionalism
and courtesy are only surpassed by his talent. --Chris C. Brunswick, ME 7/21/2007 |
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| •He was great to work with and even had to drive an hour on snowy, icy roads to get to the party. The physicians complemented him and some asked for his card. He was friendly, yet very serious about keeping his music going for four hours straight. We stopped him once while the CEO addressed the group, but otherwise he played continually. He brought amplifiers and I was very happy with the volume, it was perfect for the venue and event. --Cyndi C. Rockland, ME 12/8/2006 | |
| •A gentleman, a professional and an amazing talent. He added ambiance, class and a sense of warmth to our rehearsal dinner. What a nice person. No cheese... just perfect. I think the South African accent also adds to his charm. thanks again- Molly and Sean Casto --Molly P. Harpswell, ME 8/25/2006 | |
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He played solo at Maine Street Art and I have
to say it was truly wonderful. To say Brian is a talented musician is an
understatement. The music performed was quite beautiful and I will look
forward to the next opportunity to hear him play again.
Jen Berube
April 2006
I went to see Brian Cullen play on Saturday
night, and thoroughly
enjoyed the concert. He is a highly gifted player and I encourage you to check out the Thursday night show. David Pietrowski April 2006 |
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UPCOMING
APPEARANCES: 
Thursday, August 07, 2008 5:00PM - Riverside Farm Jameson/Gauthier Wedding Oakland, ME
Sunday, August 24, 2008 Saturday, September 06, 2008
PAST
APPEARANCES:
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008 Saturday, April 26, 2008
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| Saturday, July 07, 2007, 4:00PM - Wedding and Rehearsal Dinner, Southport, ME | |
| Concert at the
Universalist Unitarian church cnr of Middle and
Pleasant St Brunswick Maine. Feb 10 at 7pm. Tel 207-729-4361 bcullen@blazenetme.net for information. |
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| Friday,
December 8, 2006, 7:00PM - Maine Lighthouse Museum,
Rockland, ME Saturday, October 7, 2006, 12:30PM - St. Johns/camp Hammond, South Portland / Yarmouth, ME Saturday, September 16, 2006, 3:30PM - First Universalist Church, Yarmouth, ME Friday, August 25, 2006, 6:30PM - Harpswell Inn, Rehersal Dinner, Harpswell, ME Saturday, July 1, 2006, 8:00PM - Concert at the Theater Project, Brunswick, ME Friday, June 30, 2006, 8:00PM - Concert at the Theatre Project, Brunswick, ME Saturday, June 10, 2006, 12:00PM - Wedding, Portland, ME Saturday, May 20, 2006, 10:00AM - Clark's Cove Pond, Near Bristol, ME |
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| Friday,
July 20, 2007 6:30PM - On The Beach Ocean Park, ME Saturday, July 21, 2007 Saturday, August 11, 2007 Saturday, September 15, 2007
PAST APPEARA |
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| Audio samples (click on each to launch) | |
| Wedding march: Mendelsohn Recessional | |
| Bossa nova: Rio by Night | |
| Spanish folk song | |
| Villo Lobos, Choros Number Two | |
| Canarios - Spanish Dance | |
| Shadow of the Moon | |
| Prelude from the First Cello Suite -Bach | |
| Canon in D Major - Pachelbel | |
| Here come the Sun | |
| Here comes the Bride | |
| Contact info | |
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Brian Cullen Email: info@cullenclassicalguitar.com Tel: 207 729 4361 |
