Now and Then - Guitar at the Smithsonian

By Andrew McEvoy

My first guitar teacher (circa 1995-early 2000s) is an accomplished musical scholar and archivist named Scott. He and his entire family kept an avid musical practice no matter what else was going on in their lives, and I was fortunate to be mentored by Scott and shown a number of different ways that music can be a positive influence in everyday life. 

During Scott’s years as an archivist with the Smithsonian in Washington DC, we performed there for a number of functions and events. That including the pictured 2003 recital in the American History Museum when my 16-year old self convinced his guitar teacher to let his hair down for the show!

Another related event that stands out in my early memory was the first time I heard Yo-Yo Ma play with the Silk Road Ensemble at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2002. Scott and I had played in a morning program on the same stage, a talent show which featured several different Smithsonian employees. Plenty of these folks had no idea about each other’s hidden musical talents up until that point.

Also obscured until that festival were the musical revelations that the Silk Road Project revealed over those 2 weeks. It sparked a collective effort which has been developing under Yo-Yo Ma’s steady hand over more than two decades since Folklife 2002.

As a young aspiring musician in those days I was awestruck and inspired. I often re-read the thick, beautiful festival booklet that I was given after performing. It’s still an interesting read after many years:

https://folklife-media.si.edu/docs/festival/program-books/FESTBK2002.pdf

It was clear that diligent programming and arranging work had been done to make a program which truly spoke to the occasion and revealed amazing new sounds and musical worlds to the listener.

My classical guitar gig life began in those days, changing over time from a side job to my sole professional activity in the years since. I’ve always loved that the guitar allowed me to explore music from many different times and places, and tell stories without saying a word. 

If I give myself enough credit, I can make excellent music of good provenance. I may never ascend to the level of concert artistry attained by Yo-Yo Ma, a legendary performer on the world stage in his prime. Few of us get that far. 

The impression I get from following his artistry is that Ma’s most brilliant performances come not only by meeting great technical demands, but also by putting all of that work into a program that engages and supports audiences, communities and new ideas. That second part of the job is my favorite as well.

Since those early days at the Smithsonian, I have worked with Classical Guitar Ceremonies Inc to bring music into those museums dozens of times over the last 12 years. Whenever I do that, I try to honor all the early inspirations and mentors I had. I want to craft thoughtful programs that inspire those around me and make them feel welcome amongst some of humanity’s greatest achievements and discoveries.

Most recently I did a Smithsonian premier of a new arrangement with my group Ensemble Solaire. The music is by Frantz Casseus arranged from an original guitar solo. Casseus, a Haitian-American, recorded for the Folkways label in the 1950s and 60s. This defunct label was rescued from obscurity by the Smithsonian music archive where my first guitar teacher worked. Few play the music of Frantz Casseus these days, but I had deep affection for this music on my first reading of the score and felt others could share in its beauty and excitement. 

After we’d put in extra time to include this music and then performed it at the museum, I felt a moment of clarity. It’s hard to fully explain, maybe, but the audience applauded even when they didn’t have to.

(Here’s a short sample selection from “Haitian Suite” by Frantz Casseus)

Now and then, I’m a guitarist for the Smithsonian. It means more to me than I can say at the show.

Andrew McEvoy is a musician and arts advocate from Richmond, VA. He is a virtuoso classical guitarist and recording artist with a background in arts management and community outreach.

McEvoy raised more than $15,000 for musicians in need during the early months of the Coronavirus pandemic through the 501c3 non profit Classical Revolution RVA, which he joined in 2013 and Executive Directed 2018-2020.

McEvoy’s work for society events in the DC Metro is managed by Classical Guitar Ceremonies Inc