It’s not every day that Haines gets to see a champion guitarist perform.
But the chance will present itself in a week, when Chris Proctor, a U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, will perform in the Chilkat Center for the Arts lobby on Thursday, September 22.
Fingerstyle is a form of guitar playing that involves plucking strings with fingers or fingernails, instead of the standard flatpicking technique. The style gives a rich, complex sound, allowing for more individual notes to be played more quickly. Proctor’s original compositions incorporate many musical styles: folk, blues, jazz, rock and classical. He’s drawn comparisons to famed guitarists Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges.
Proctor has won both awards and acclaim for his music. “Proctor is…writing challenging compositions and playing them with such precision and clarity that they seem to sparkle,” the Washington Post wrote. And the Salt Lake Tribune called him “one of the more revered figures on the acoustic guitar scene.”
“He’s got a very complex playing style, creative and original,” said Tom Heywood, the co-president of the Haines Arts Council, which is hosting the event. “I’m looking forward to hearing him again.”
Proctor will perform Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Chilkat Center lobby. Tickets will be available at the door: $15 for adults, $12 for Arts Council members and $5 for students.