Audio-Technica Announces Three Year Sponsorship of International Guitar Foundation

Audio-Technica Ltd and the International Guitar Foundation have announced that the world leading microphone manufacturer will become ‘exclusive microphone partner’ to the IGF. The three-year sponsorship agreement sees the company committed to supporting the IGF’s programme of festivals, Summer Schools, Guitar Camps, and Teacher Training Centres.

A not-for-profit organization, the IGF has promoted performance, learning and teaching of the guitar, in all of its forms and musical genre, among people of all ages, for more than 14 years. From classical, folk, flamenco and all forms of world music, to jazz, blues, r’n’b, rock and other contemporary playing styles, the IGF has “nurtured and celebrated the varied pleasures of this beautiful and multi-faceted instrument with unparalleled dedication”.

Whether promoting concerts by major artists at prestigious venues like the Royal Festival Hall, or recital tours of schools and youth clubs, commissioning compositions, running educational programmes, workshops and seminars, and teaching guitar in schools throughout the country, the work of the IGF has the singular goal of celebrating the unique place of the guitar in popular culture. With the world’s most comprehensive range of instrument and vocal microphones, Audio-Technica is uniquely placed to support such an extensive calendar of diverse events.

The schedule includes the internationally renowned Bath International Guitar Festival, featuring a two week programme of 14 concerts, the London Guitar Festival, including concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the three day International Guitar Festival at Gateshead’s prestigious Sage arts centre. The Summer Schools’ programme includes those held in conjunction with the Bath, London, and Gateshead festivals, and events at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, and during the WOMAD festival, held in association with Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

IGF general manager, Phil Castang stated: “We are delighted to have the support of Audio-Technica, a company with a longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation. Whether presenting leading international rock bands or emerging young acoustic artists, the support from Audio-Technica will be invaluable in raising the quality of IGF events, and in providing greater resources for our tuition programmes.“

Commenting for Audio-Technica, senior UK marketing manager, Harvey Roberts, added: “The work of the IGF in promoting the learning and teaching of the guitar is unique, in promoting the instrument in all forms of music to children and adults of all ages. We are especially pleased to support the educational work of the IGF. There is much to teach guitar players of all persuasions about the role of microphones and importance of microphone technique. We are looking to bring our knowledge and skills in those subjects to the IGF curriculum. As a microphone company historically we have major strengths in the instrument sector; particularly with the 40 Series for recording and Artist Series and Artist Elite models for stage work. Recently jazz guitarist Branco Stoysin has chosen to record exclusively with the AT4040 and singer songwriter Jodie Jones exclusively picked the Artist Series ATM710 condenser as her vocal and acoustic guitar mic, both for recording and live performance.“