Since 1975 Michael Chapdelaine has practiced classical guitar with a strict regimen: perfecting his art.
Classicalists appreciate his skillful technique, and his world titles in both classical and fingerstyle genres are a testimony to this. For the past eight years, UNM students have experienced Chapdelaine's talent firsthand.
Now, as a middle-aged performer, Chapdelaine is playing other classics - the classics from his youth.
He will perform Sunday at Kellar Hall.
Chapdelaine is the head of guitar studies in the Music department at UNM and students are privileged to encounter his expertise. But he said when it comes to teaching, the privilege is all his.
"It's fun to have people trust you enough to allow you into their youth and allow you to help them develop what it is they love to do," he said. "It's a lot of power. It's a privilege and a gift to have the opportunity to do it."
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Chapdelaine said teaching is one of his joys in life, one that could not be compromised by any twist of fate.
"Even if suddenly someone does decide to sign me and I become a trillionaire with a face-lift and a house in Malibu, I'd still teach because it's so fun," he said.
Chapdelaine has been associated with major record labels throughout his career, but despite his success in sales and performance, he does not envision another label signing him any time soon.
"There isn't much opportunity if you're not making pop music - which now means rap - and that probably isn't something I will do," Chapdelaine said.
The alternative is self-made productions - an option he said is "really not a bad way to go."
His albums have progressed from a series of classical works, to original compositions to covers with his last two albums, Replay and Grapevine, featuring classics from the '60s and '70s.
Training as a classical musician, Chapdelaine gave homage to greats like Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. He said he feels ready for a change of pace.
"Middle-aged guys kind of self-explode," he said. "It manifests itself in different ways. I was on a path of huge discipline and high standards for a long time. I was a slave to that. Now I don't want to do anything but have fun."
His version of fun is performing the music of his heroes. He said his classically trained technique allows him to treat other kinds of composers and songwriters with the respect they deserve.
Chapdelaine shows this respect on Grapevine, recreating the emotion behind the music.
"Certainly sound, riffs and chords are originally the beginning of a piece," he said. "But eventually I suspect for most of us - whether we're musicians or we just love music - a piece ages with us and becomes tremendously entwined with our life experience."
Grapevine is meant to provide listeners with an album of experiences.
"Since I began playing old pieces, people have had profound reactions," he said. "They're not just hearing riffs and chords."
The What, When and Where:
What: Michael Chapdelaine Guitar Concert
When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kellar Hall
Tickets and Info: 277-4569
www.tickets.com
