Lauren Baron
BRANT NEWS

Some say that the guitar is a man’s instrument, but Canadian guitarist Emma Rush begs to differ.

Rush will perform with German guitarist Eva Beneke and fellow Canadian guitarist Tracy Ann Smith as part of the Guitar Society of Brantford’s A Girls Night Out concert on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m.

The series highlights three successful women in the guitar field. All three performers are world-renowned musicians who have played in festivals and concerts throughout North America and Europe.

“The proportion of female guitarists to male guitarists is way out of whack, so it’s nice to showcase that there are female guitarists out there and that we are playing some really exciting music,” Rush said.

Sunday’s concert will feature a mix of solo, duo and trio performances, featuring everything from Mozart and Bach to tango music, as well as Beneke’s own contemporary pieces.

“I think that kids need role models, especially the young female guitarists in our midst,” said Patrick Feely, artistic director for the Guitar Society of Brantford. “They need to see that somebody else is doing this and they are making this their livelihood and are being successful as an artist so they can give encouragement to those in the community.”

Opening the show will be the Ecole Dufferin Ukulele Orchestra, featuring students in Grade 3 to Grade 8 under the direction of Catherine Gorecki, as part of the Guitar Society’s pre-concert performers program.

“It’s very cool,” Feely said. “(The pre-concert performers program) is a win-win situation because the students probably wouldn’t have much opportunity to perform for a large audience. It’s motivating for them and it’s great for community members to see what is going on in our schools with dedicated teachers like Catherine.”

Tickets to see A Girls Night Out concert cost $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are free. The show takes place at Laurier Brantford’s Kun Performance Centre. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.theguitarsocietyofbrantford.com.