Classical guitarist, Joseph Williams II, is a celebrated performer, composer, and educator. His concerts have been presented by the New England Conservatory and Austin Classical Guitar Society as well as numerous music festivals, universities and concert series in the United States and abroad. In 2007, VGo Recordings released his debut CD: The Eliot Fisk Guitar Series Volume One with fellow guitarist Steven Lin. He has won prizes in thirteen international guitar competitions: the 8th Annual Texas Guitar Competition 2009, St. Joseph International Guitar Festival & Competition 2009 and 2005, Classical Minds Guitar Festival 2009, New England Conservatory Boston GuitarFest 2006, Fresno Guitar Panorama 2006 and 2005, Portland Guitar Festival and Competition 2004, Thomas Beesten Guitar Competition 2004 and 2003, 24th Annual Sholin Memorial Guitar Competition 2004 and 2003, and the 7th Annual Ralph Stevens Guitar Competition 2002.
In 2010, Williams was the Composer-in-Residence for the Austin Classical Guitar Society and his music for young guitarists is published by guitarcurriculum.com. His newest work, Austin Pictures, was premiered in October of 2011 by the internationally acclaimed Miro String Quartet and a guitar orchestra of one hundred conducted by Peter Bay at the Austin City Limits theater. Williams’ catalogue includes music for orchestra, guitar, guitar ensembles, voice, and varied chamber combinations.
As an educator, Williams recently finished a visiting professorship at the University of Southern Mississippi and has been on faculty at the University of New Mexico, Fort Lewis College, and Adam State College. He has been a teaching assistant at both the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, Austin. He has maintained a private studio since 1999.
Currently, Williams is completing his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Texas at Austin and freelance composing, performing and teaching. He holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and the University of Arizona. His mentors include Adam Holzman, Thomas Patterson, and Michael Chapdelaine.
“I have very much enjoyed the playing of the talented young guitarist Joseph Williams, who deservedly shared first prize in our first Boston Guitar Fest International Guitar competition in 2006! It is a pleasure to hear a young player who plays his heart out and comes up with original ideas all his own. Joe is one of those rare guitarists who give this old romantic hope for the future of our beloved instrument. I look forward to lots more beautiful playing from this exceptional young talent.”
Eliot Fisk
“Joseph’s expressive playing, along with an astonishing display of virtuosity, captivates the listener’s heart.”
Guitarra Magazine
I recently heard The Red Quartet played by TXGQ on utube and I was quite impressed. The composition is original and effective. Admittedly I was hearing it through the cruddy speakers of a laptop, but the range of orchestral sounds and textures elicited from 4 guitars was remarkable. I look forward to the CD.