<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The second concert of the Lake Charles Symphony’s 58th season takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday at McNeese State University Tritico Theatre and features American classical guitarist Jay Kacherski.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Tickets for the concert and a champagne and chocolate after-party are $50 for one and $99 for two. Tickets for the concert itself are $25 for general admission or $20 for those with a student or military ID. Reservations are preferred.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Kacherski, a New York native, has performed throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Since 2013, he has been a visiting lecturer of music theory at McNeese. His wife, Lina Morita, is a concert pianist and associate professor at McNeese, and the two have lived in the Lake Area for several years.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The concert starts off with Gioacchino Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri,” followed by Kacherski performing Joaquîn Rodrigo’s “Guitar Concerto” and ends with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8.” Kacherski said he is excited to work with the symphony and play the guitar concerto.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It is by far the most well-known and played guitar concerto in the world,” he said. “It’s famous for mainly the second movement because it has that famous melody. It brings a lot of emotion to it.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Kacherski said the piece is a technical challenge for guitarists because Rodrigo was a pianist.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It is a good workout,” he said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Kacherski said he became</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">interested in the classical guitar after hearing the Doors’ song, “Spanish Caravan.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“There’s something special about the finger style,” he said. “It’s kind of like a mini piano. You can have your own bass line and melody. It just offers so much repertoire, and the techniques are so developed.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Kacherski recently performed at the New Orleans International Guitar Festival, Classical Minds Guitar Institute of the Texas Music Festival and the Concert Artist Series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Kacherski’s website, www.kacherskiguitar.com, includes the very first complete online catalog of Mexican guitar works, known as the MGMC — the Mexican Guitar Music Catalog.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Before the Sunday concert, residents can attend the second</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">installment of the Discovery Series. It is set for 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday at the home of Laurie and Chip Martin, 4374 Bayou Bay Drive. The event gives the public the chance to visit with the conductor, Kacherski and other symphony patrons. A donation of $15 allows for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">For more information on the symphony or about spring season memberships, call 433-1611.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="text-align: center;">•</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Online: www.lcsymphony.com</span><p>Classical guitar soloist Jay Kacherski. (Special to the American Press)</p>