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| Freshman at University of Arizona
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Posted: Aug 17, 2008
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Mitch is currently studying classical guitar at the University of Arizona under the direction of Tom Patterson. He will also have a major in Math.
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| ASP (Arizona State Piano) Competition Results
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Posted: May 11, 2008
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Mitch received Superior ratings for his performance at the Arizona State Piano Competition at Arizona State University. Mitch competed at Level 12.
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| 2008 Flinn Scholar Designate
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Posted: Mar 27, 2008
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Mitch has been appointed as a 2008 Flinn Scholar Designate. Information on this exceptional scholarship program can be found at www.flinn.org Mitch will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall to study classical guitar with Tom Patterson, who heads the classical guitar program at U of A.
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| Performs at Artist Gallery Opening
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Posted: Feb 11, 2008
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On January 31st, Mitch provided classical guitar background music for artist, Rusty Walker (walker-creative.com) at his opening show at the Heddenart Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Walker was kind enough to write to Mitch with comments re: his performance at the show.
"Mitch did an excellent job playing classical music at the Walker art exhibition . The engagement at a major Scottsdale gallery was a difficult one for an accomplished guitarist, as we needed a high level of playing that would not dominate the art. Mitch Turbenson accomplished this. His masterful playing added greatly to the ambiance and classic atmosphere of the art exhibition. In all black, Mitch made a handsome addition to the visual statement of the evening in an aesthetic environment. He played non-stop for the three hours. Although we urged Mitch to take a break, he graciously preferred to play on through. The crowd was very impressed with his high level of classical guitar. For any event in need of classical music, Mitch Turbenson provides class and professionalism"
Rusty Walker, Artist
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| Finalist for Flinn Scholarship
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Posted: Jan 27, 2008
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Chosen as a 2008 Flinn Scholarship Finalist
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| Featured article in the East Valley Tribune
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Posted: Dec 27, 2007
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December 26, 2007 - 9:34PM
Gilbert teen strikes a chord with music
Comments 0| Recommend 0
Hayley Ringle, Tribune
Mitch Turbenson’s family music room would make most musicians drool with envy. The 17-year-old Gilbert High School senior has his pick of dozens of instruments to play,
From antique and handmade guitars, bassoons and a grand piano (his forte) to organs, keyboards and drum machines.
He uses the various instruments to his advantage when he practices three to five hours a day.
“It’s nice that you can create whatever you want to,” Turbenson said. “I’ve never done any physical art, like drawing. Creating music is something I can do.”
The award-winning classical, jazz and rock musician excels at the bassoon and the piano, although it’s his guitar playing that he’s known best for. He plays the piano for music theory and the bassoon to help with phrasing and musicality.
“I think you should get involved in all kinds of music,” said Turbenson, whose favorite guitarists include Prince, B.B. King and Manuel Barrucco, and whose idol is Stevie Wonder. “You should incorporate everything instead of being restrictive.”
Turbenson started playing guitar 10 years ago. After private guitar lessons and a lot of practice, he realized around 11 years old he was progressing faster. It became easier for him to pick up pieces and perform at higher levels.
At 13 years old, he began entering guitar competitions and doing solo performances at guitar festivals throughout the country. He also has played in recitals at Arizona State University, with various orchestras and privately at parties, weddings and at Gilbert High.
“I enjoy performing. It’s a source of excitement,” said Turbenson, who founded the Gilbert High Music Performance Club. “Once you start performing, your nerves go away. It’s fun to play in front of people.”
Turbenson has won or placed in several guitar competitions. In October, he won fifth place in the high school level at the Guitar Foundation of America world competition in Los Angeles. Two years ago, he took fifth place in the 15-and-under category at the same competition.
Now, Turbenson is known around the country among professional guitarists, said his guitar teacher, Frank Koonce, an ASU music professor and director of guitar studies.
“I think he’s an extraordinarily talented young man,” Koonce said. “I think because of his training in other areas (instruments), it has made him a well-rounded and versatile musician. He reads music very well and he’s able to experience music more thoroughly than many students.”
Koonce mainly works with performance majors and more advanced undergraduates at ASU.
Koonce made an exception for Turbenson about two years ago, and he’s the professor’s only private student he gives weekly lessons.
“I enjoy working with him because intellectually he’s very astute and he’s curious about the music,” Koonce said. “He thinks for himself. We can have a good dialogue about the music, not just how to play but the interpretive aspect of the music.”
Turbenson’s mom, Jane, can be thanked for the family music room, which also includes accordions, harps, mandolins, violins, banjos and ukuleles. She’s the collector and her son’s biggest supporter.
“I just think music is everything,” she said. “I think it’s one of the most important things in life. I wanted him to be inspired.”
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| Flinn Scholarship Semi-finalist
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Posted: Dec 27, 2007
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Mitch was notified on December 20, 2007 that he was a semi-finalist for the prestigious Flinn Scholarship program.
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| Mitch attends the 3rd International Acadia-Guitar-Festival in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Aug 5, 2007
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This festival took place from Sunday June 24-30, 2007. The artists and faculty included Alvaro Pierri, Eden-Stell Duo, Amadeus Guitar Duo, Eugene Cormier, Danielle Cumming, Canadian Guitar Quartet, Hubert Cappel, Carlo Domeniconi, Nickolas Goluses, and Pavel Steidl.
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| Mitch Attends Classical Minds Guitar Festival
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Posted: Aug 5, 2007
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Mitch attended the Classical Minds Guitar Festival from May 29-June 3, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The artists and faculty included Stephen Aron, Andrew Zohn, Randall Avers, Richard Todd, Valerie Hartzell, Valdemar Phoenix, Sabine Madriguere, Beau Benson, Lauren Kesgen-Guidry and the Kithara Duo.
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| 2nd Chair Arizona State Orchestra
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Posted: Mar 12, 2007
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Tryouts for All-State were held on March 10, 2007 at Gilbert High School. Mitch was awarded 2nd Chair Bassoon in the Arizona All-State orchestra.
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| 1st Chair Regional Band for Bassoon
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Posted: Mar 12, 2007
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In a recent competition at the Fiesta Region level, Mitch placed 1st Chair in the Regional Band for Bassoon.
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| Solo Performer with the Mesa Youth Orchestra
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Posted: Dec 21, 2006
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On December 20, 2006, the Mesa Youth Orchestra gave a performance of the Concerto in A minor Op 45, #3 for Bassoon by Antonio Vivaldi. Mitch was the bassoon soloist.
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| Mitch Featured in "Go Gilbert" magazine
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Posted: Nov 15, 2006
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The November 2006 Issue of "Go Gilbert" magazine featured an article about Mitch. It discusses his dedication to performance, practice, and scholastic achievement.
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| Mitch Wins ASTA Arizona State Competition for Classical Guitar
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Posted: Nov 4, 2006
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Mitch won the Arizona State ASTA (American String Teachers Assn.) Jr. Division for classical guitar today. The competition was held at Hendrix Jr. High School in Mesa, Arizona. He also placed 3rd overall in the Solo Competition finals. His placement helps him to qualify for the National ASTA competition which is being held in Detroit, Michigan early next year.
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| Mitch asked to perform with the Mesa Symphony
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Posted: Oct 4, 2006
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On Saturday, October 7, 2006, Mitch will be performing with the Mesa Symphony playing bassoon.
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| Mitch wins the Youth Solo Competition in North Carolina
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Posted: Jul 19, 2006
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On July 18, 2006, Mitch was awarded 1st Place in the Youth Solo Competition at the East Carolina University Summer Guitar Festival in Greenville, North Carolina.
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| Mitch wins Eastfield College Guitar Competition
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Posted: Jun 25, 2006
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Mitch took 1st place in the Eastfield College Classical Guitar Competition in Mesquite, Texas on June 24, 2006. The 1st prize award was $200. The requirement was to perform from memory two pieces from different historic periods.
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| Mitch featured in Arizona Tribune
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Posted: May 26, 2006
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On May 21, 2006, Mitch was featured in an article about an outstanding music scholar. His high school band director, Bob Edgar, said that Mitch stands out among his 10 years of teaching because of his excellence in playing all three instruments. (Piano, guitar, and bassoon) "He is phenomenal," Edgar said. "I think he's been gifted. He is blessed with some natural talent. I've had students top in the state in a specific area but what makes him different then anyone else that I've had here is he is so strong in many different areas."
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| Mitch plays for the Arthritis Foundation
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Posted: Mar 29, 2006
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Mitch played classical guitar at a Reception for the North Central Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation on March 30th at the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes, Arizona and on March 31st at the Rio Verde Community Center in Rio Verde, Arizona. His music was followed by a program related to the latest Arthritis Treatments and Research.
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| Mitch receives a Summer Guitar Scholarship
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Posted: Mar 29, 2006
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Mitch was awarded a scholarship to attend the "Classical Minds" Guitar Festival 2006 at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. The event takes place May 30th-June 4, 2006 and will include lectures, classes, private lessons, small ensemble coaching and a Guitar Orchestra Class.
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| Mitchell makes 1st chair bassoon in the State Band
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Posted: Mar 12, 2006
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Mitch tried out for the Arizona State Competition in bassoon and made 1st chair Band.
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| Mitch makes 1st Chair Bassoon
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Posted: Feb 1, 2006
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Regional Tryouts were held on January 28, 2006 at Desert Ridge High School. Mitch made 1st chair Bassoon in the regional orchestra. The concert for this group will be Feb. 18, 2006.
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| Mitch performs at GFA
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Posted: January 24, 2006
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Mitchell competed in the Guitar Foundation of America Youth Competition in October of 2005.
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