Andrew Geddis

A Benefit Concert Supporting "Midtown Through Our Eyes"

The Studio@620 welcomes Andrew Geddis, classical guitarist, performing in benefit for “Midtown Through Our Eyes” on Sunday October 16, 2011 at 3:00 PM.

“Midtown Through Our Eyes” is an annual exhibition of
student photography produced during a journalism summer camp program called Journeys in Journalism. This fund raising concert is being held to ensure that young people from Melrose
Elementary, John Hopkins Middle, and Lakewood High Schools continue to have access to this opportunity. Learn More.

Because this is a fund raising event, red member tickets will not be accepted for admission.

About Andrew Geddis

Andrew Geddis is a classically trained guitarist and composer who is carving out his niche among the many artists and musicians who call New York City home.

Andrew was intrigued by music and the arts at a very early age, and upon his graduation from Montclair High School in 1986, he furthered his ambition by applying and being accepted to the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

During his three years here he studied classical guitar with Ray Chester, the head of the department, Manuel Barrueco, considered by many to be one of the foremost musicians in the field, and internationally renowned artists, Julian Gray and Nat Gounod.

From there, Andrew went on to study with Steve Aron at Akron State University in Ohio, another respected school in guitar. Andrew’s artistic pursuit did not stop at the borders of the United States, however. He traveled to France to study with Vladimyr Mikulka in 1992.

Andrew’s travels also brought him to India in 1991 where he put down his guitar in favor of exploring Buddhism.

“The idea of studying Buddhism, as a lay practitioner or a monk, at the time intrigued me and I had to see for myself, through a direct experience of the culture, what that meant. Discovery of the severity of the political situation in the region, however, caused me to re-evaluate my decision.”

While his initial ambition was to possibly become a monk, his love - some might say his calling for the guitar - compelled Andrew to resume his playing career.

He completed his undergraduate work at Montclair State University working with Dennis Cinelli and has played in Master Classes for such renowned artists as Mr. Barrueco, Ricardo Cobo and Ben Verdery.

Since his return to the U.S. Mr. Geddis has appeared as soloist and vocal accompanist throughout the Tri-State area. He was a regular performer at The Four Seasons Restaurant in New York and has given guitar recitals on Long Island at the Freeport Memorial Library, the Peninsula Public Library and the Baldwin Public Library. He has performed in New Jersey at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Montclair and the First Baptist Church of Montclair. Andrew has also played for such dignitaries as former New York City Mayor, David Dinkins and former Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder. As an accompanist, Mr. Geddis has had the honor and distinction of playing for internationally renowned basso, Kevin Maynor, in a program of music dedicated to the work of Paul Robeson. It is through these performances that Mr. Geddis expresses his Black identity and feels that he is a pioneer of sorts in the sense that there are few classical guitarists in the field who are of African-American descent.

As a composer, Mr. Geddis feels that his style is unique and expressive. Andrew says that he draws from such ancient sources as Roland, Beowulf, Gilgamesh and The Iliad. As an artist, his goal is that his music invokes a timelessness and spirit that will create a state of rapture for his listeners. Having concentrated on the composition of songs, he intends in the future to expand his tonal and stylistic palate to include everything from Big Band to rich choral and symphonic orchestrations.