Guitarist, Jim McCutcheon
Family Concerts
With over three decades of performing experience in the U.S. and abroad, several artistic awards and the distinction of being on the Ohio Arts Council Touring Roster for many years, Jim McCutcheon is one of those rare performers who can relate to audiences of any age, or any combination of ages. With a broad repertoire ranging from classical guitar music from around the world to folk music of the USA, Jim adapts each performance to the venue. Concerts for grandparents and their grandchildren are a specialty.
Whether solo or in duo with oboist Mark Twehues or flutist Joyce Long, Jim's music shows a wide range of style and mood. Jim blends a classical background with a love for the blues, folk, ragtime and composing original works for the guitar. On a concert stage or in outreach activities in schools, Jim's music and manner will connect with your audience in a way unlike any other performer.
In addition to having performed in England and Russia, Jim has performed for many communities around Ohio, including Akron, Lakeside, Warren, Beavercreek, Fairborn, Troy, Waynesville, Oakwood, Lancaster, Sylvania, Defiance, Cambridge, Portsmouth, Hamilton, Centerville, Springfield, Minster and Celina. He performs annually at MiddFest International Festival, Ohio libraries and the Very Special Arts Festival held annually at Wright State U.
Educational Outreach
The Guitar Man
Jim demonstrates several instruments, which could include the classical guitar, the steel guitar, the 12 string guitar, the flamenco guitar, the quarter-size guitar (used by small children) the electric guitar, ukulele, renaissance lute and the 5-string banjo. Jim explains the history, origins and construction and performs characteristic music for each instrument in a 35-45 min. performance designed for the age of the audience. Preparatory materials describing the performance are available for teachers.
The Science of Music
Jim McCutcheon has found a way to combine his first degree, a B.S. in Physics, with his music-making in a format which uses the guitar as a springboard to present a wide variety of scientific concepts to children grades 3-12. Incorporating basics of electricity, vibration and materials engineering, Jim stimulates thought using a few of his "toys" (including an oscilloscope, signal generator, microphone, strobe light, tuning forks, and, of course, an electric guitar) in a 45-50 minute workshop which he has developed over the past several years, and performed hundreds of times for students grades 3 through 12. These workshops can be done in classrooms for up to 35 students or for large groups in auditoriums with simple video camera projection systems.
For residencies, Jim helps students take the next step into the world of computers and some of the amazing things that they can do with music, including voice recognition, digital recording and editing. Children can take part in a recording session and read their own thoughtful ideas as voiceovers to Jim's guitar music.