'Poet of the Guitar' performs at TC High School

Francesc De Paula Soler plays a “Fleta” guitar which is considered to be the best handmade classical guitar in the world (Photo by Rosanda Suetopka Thayer/TCUSD).

Francesc De Paula Soler plays a “Fleta” guitar which is considered to be the best handmade classical guitar in the world (Photo by Rosanda Suetopka Thayer/TCUSD).

TUBA CITY-Born into a well known Spanish artistic family and starting his musical studies at age 6, Francesc De Paula Soler has studied guitar his entire life.

Receiving the highest musical honors from the prestigious Conservatorio Superior De Musica in Barcelona, Spain, he continued post-graduate work with Andres Segovia and music orientation with Narcisco Yepes.

Soler has performed in both Europe and the United States, featuring selections from his CD release titled "Francesc De Paula Soler" and has also been published in noted musical news magazines such as Casa Beethoven Publicacions, Catalana d'Edicions Musicals and Clivis Publicacions.

Sharing his knowledge, talent and expertise, Soler performed before students at the Warrior Pavilion. The only amplification he used was a small microphone, but his stellar guitar sound carried throughout the entire facility to his young, mostly Native audience.

Soler plays a "Fleta" guitar which is considered to be the best handmade classical guitar in the world.

He also practices an average of three hours per day, every day.

Following his performance, Soler stated, "Music is my entire world and I was so very happy to be able to share my special and private world with the students at Tuba City High."

"I feel so lucky to be able to have the unique experience of being surrounded by Native people during my tour to the U.S. When I was sponsored this year by the Spanish Cultural Embassy through a special enrichment grant, I asked that Tuba City High School be put on my musical tour, since I have been here before and have been so graciously received and appreciated by these Native students and community members," he added.

Soler first came to Tuba City High School in 2002 making this his fifth visit to share his musical gift.

Some of Soler's musical awards have been the Medal of St. Vladimir from the Russian Orthodox Church, Plaque of the Catalan Catholic Church Council, golden key and honorary citizen of Texas, medal and diploma of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an honorary membership in the Spain Association of the Pacific Northwest.

For more information on Soler, call the Tuba City District Office of Public Relations at (928) 283-1185.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read