Guitar for Everyone 'First Steps' (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781546532330)

Recognised as one of Australia's finest guitarists, Marc Ongley started his musical career in 1965 at the age of 13. By the time he was 17 his band Maya supported The Beach Boys and The Kinks on their Australian tours. In his late teens Marc turned from rock to the classical guitar and gave numerous concerts and recitals and was featured in film, TV and radio broadcasts. His first composition was published in 1973 and first solo album recorded at the Sydney Opera House in 1980. Marc toured with the Queensland Theatre Orchestra in performances of the Rodrigo Concerto de Aranjuez and the Guitar Concerto in D by Vivaldi. Marc studied with prominent Australian guitarist and educator Don Andrews and four students of Andrés Segovia, the Spanish virtuoso and founder of the modern classical movement. They included two of Segovia's favourite pupils and chosen assistants: Turibio Santos, the Brazilian guitarist chosen by Arminda Villa-Lobos, to make the first complete recording of her husband's 12 Studies and Alirio Diaz the great Venezuelan guitarist. Turibio Santos singled Marc out as the most musical player in his 1973 Australian Masterclass. In Diaz's 1979 UK masterclass Alirio praised Marc for his outstanding sight reading ability and musicianship. Marc also studied musical interpretation with Ruth Nye MBE, who is on the faculty of the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music and herself a student of Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau. Marc was the first Australian guitarist to be admitted Fellow of the Trinity College Of Music London and Licentiate of Music Australia. In 1982 Marc made his UK debut to a packed Wigmore Hall. His numerous credits include his debut jazz CD recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1993, playing on the film soundtrack of Les Miserables and recording his own compositions with Francis Monkman and Kevin Peek from the group Sky. Other personal career highlights include performing a special piece for actor Sir John Mills on his 90th birthday and playing for dignitaries at the Australian High Commission in London. Since 1991 Marc has made his home in London and apart from giving concerts his time is spent teaching, arranging, composing and recording. Marc's recordings and publications are released globally by the Natural Light Records and Publications Ltd.