Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery to perform at MIM concert
Four-time Grammy nominee William Eaton is one of the original co-founders of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and still serves as its director today.
(Photo provided by Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery)
The Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, a Phoenix-based designer of custom guitars, is celebrating its 50th year with special events.
To honor the school 50 of the world’s most accomplished guitar builders were invited – challenged – to design and craft an all-new instrument made from the same treasured supply of rare Nicaraguan rosewood and mahogany that helped launch the local guitar-building and repair school back in 1975.
After many of the handcrafted “anniversary” instruments make a “return” trip to Phoenix for a 50th anniversary reunion (many of these guitars will be accompanied by their makers who are graduates of Roberto-Venn from over the years), the guitars will be on display on Friday, Nov. 14 at a special “Celebrating the Guitar” concert at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
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Phoenix guitar builder celebrates 50 years
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery to perform at MIM concert
(Photo provided by Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery)
Four-time Grammy nominee William Eaton is one of the original co-founders of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and still serves as its director today.
Posted
IF YOU GO
What: Roberto-Venn 50th Anniversary Stage at the Grand Avenue Festival
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Where: Roberto-Venn Indoor-Outdoor Exhibit Area, 1012 Grand Ave., Phoenix
About: Grand Avenue extends west of 7th Avenue in downtown Phoenix. The entire area is blocked off for the annual Grand Avenue Festival, a free street fair featuring merchants, artisans, food, fun eateries and live music.
Roberto-Venn’s parking lot stage lineup: 11 a.m. William Eaton; noon, Seth Loveless; 1 p.m. John Calvert; 2 p.m. Jake Williams; 3 p.m. Posterchild
IF YOU GO
What: “Celebrating the Guitar” concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Where: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
About: 50 custom-made guitars debut to honor the 50th anniversary of Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. Performances by many guitar greats, including Laurence Juber, Muriel Anderson, William Eaton, Hans Olson and others.
More Information: mim.org
Special to Independent Newsmedia
The Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, a Phoenix-based designer of custom guitars, is celebrating its 50th year with special events.
To honor the school 50 of the world’s most accomplished guitar builders were invited – challenged – to design and craft an all-new instrument made from the same treasured supply of rare Nicaraguan rosewood and mahogany that helped launch the local guitar-building and repair school back in 1975.
After many of the handcrafted “anniversary” instruments make a “return” trip to Phoenix for a 50th anniversary reunion (many of these guitars will be accompanied by their makers who are graduates of Roberto-Venn from over the years), the guitars will be on display on Friday, Nov. 14 at a special “Celebrating the Guitar” concert at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
Featured performers include Laurence Juber, Muriel Anderson, four-time Grammy nominee William Eaton, and a dozen others.
Eaton is one of the original co-founders of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery and still serves as its director today.
The dissertation for his MBA at Stanford’s Graduate School was a full business plan detailing creation of a guitar-building school. It became the blueprint in 1975 for what is now the longest running luthiery school in North America.
The November MIM concert kicks off a “Journey of the Guitar” tour that will bring Roberto-Venn’s artistry to additional venues, culminating in a featured role at the 2026 NAMM Convention in Anaheim in January.
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