Tuesday, Apr. 01, 2008

Musician impresses crowd with guitar skills

Ten-string instrument, sounds focus of evening

There is something about churches and guitars, musician Perfecto De Castro said to audience that had gathered to hear him play.

De Castro performed for an intimate audience Friday at United Methodist Church where his music and unique instrument took center stage.

"I see a lot of people do a double take," De Castro said of his 10-string guitar. De Castro said his instrument of choice is the laudarra or 10-string classical guitar, because it affords him a wider musical range not usually heard on a standard six-string guitar.

He said despite the range he doesn't go out of his way to overemphasize the extra chords and said people will only recognize a subtle difference at the performance.

"When you go home and you listen to a recording of a six-string you will hear the differences," he said.

De Castro performed a blend of Eastern and Western musical influences including some from his homeland, the Philippines, and Bach.

"It's my first time playing Bach in concert because it scares me," he admitted. "There are so many ways to lose your place and then you never get back."

De Castro said he couldn't find sheet music for a guitar so he had to order one for the cello and improvise.

An active concert performer for 20 years De Castro has had a musically diverse career including a stint in a rock band. He said once he picked up the 10-string guitar he sold all his other six-string ones to fully concentrate on the instrument.

De Castro's visit to Los Baños was possible by Karla Charlson, the church's music coordinator,who knew him personally.

"'Perf,' as we know him, said he was going to be in the area and wondered 'is there anyone in Los Baños who would be interested in a performance?'"

Charlson brought the idea to Glen Raley, the church's pastor, a great fundraising opportunity to have him perform and a good way to expose Los Baños to different types of music.

"I think it's really great to have a musician of his caliber here," Charlson said.

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com