About Us
SMU Guitarissimo is SMU’s resident Niibori guitar ensemble. Established in August 2000, it is one of SMU's oldest musical groups. Adopting the style of the Niibori guitar ensemble, the club comprises these main sections — Alto 1, Alto 2, Prime, Bass, Contrabass and Guitarron.
With the motto “Passion~Heart~Soul.”, the club continues to be an open community and platform for enthusiastic guitarists on campus. It aims to provide platforms for members to showcase their skills, develop their musical talents, and share their love, heart and soul for guitar-playing while performing diverse genres of music, from classical to contemporary. New friendships, bonds, knowledge and joy are what our members can expect in their journey with us.
The club is guided by Mr Ow Leong San, who is also a part of Xpose Guitar Ensemble. Under his guidance, the spirit of playing together as an ensemble and the different guitar playing techniques are instilled in our members.
Key Events
- Annual Strings Blended Concert
SMU Guitarissimo's annual production, Strings Blended (SB), is the club's highlight performance event each year. Traditionally held in Esplanade's Recital Studio, the production is a time for our members and alumni alike to get together and showcase their passion for guitar. The club's Strings Blended production marked its 20th anniversary in 2024. - Guitarra Grande Showcase
The club's annual Guitarra Grande Showcase is a fun and exciting opportunity for our members to step out of their comfort zone and try out new instruments from different sections. The performance consists mainly of small group pieces and is held on a more intimate scale for friends and family to enjoy. - Beginner Classes
Biannually, SMU Guitarissimo organises foundational Beginner Classes for those who are interested to learn and play the guitar. No experience is needed and learners graduate the course equipped with basic chords and strumming skills. New members who are interested to join the club are welcomed to sign up to sneak a peek at what we do before committing. - SMU In-school Performances
The club regularly performs in large-scale school-led productions such as Academic Year Opening Ceremony, SMU Open House, Freshmen Orientation, and Glam Night during the annual ACF Arts Camp. There are many events that the club participates in year-round, so rest assured that our members have ample opportunities to perform. - External and Overseas Performances
SMU Guitarissimo has collaborated with distinguished stakeholders and other SMU clubs to perform on multiple occasions. The club has also previously performed in concerts with esteemed partners overseas, such as Miko Guitar School in Taiwan and Niibori Academy in Japan.
Our People in Action
Club Sessions
| Day | Wednesdays | Saturdays |
| Time | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| Venue | LKCSB Basement Studio | |
How To Join
You will first join our trial session to have a feel of how our practices run before signing up as a member. In general, we welcome anyone with an interest and passion who's willing to put in the time to learn together with us. Fill in the interest form and our Exco member will get in touch with you!
Join us HERE!
FAQ
Yes and absences from practices should be supported with valid reasons.
Your participation will be endorsed as long as you take part in at least 1 major production during the year and a maximum of 3 unexcused absences during the preparatio period for each production.
No problem at all. Guitars will be provided by the school.
No worries! our club offers a bi-annual beginner's class where you'll learn to play the guitar from scratch. We will teach basic chords and strumming techniques through fun and popular songs!
Definitely! Our club is open to anyone interested in learning the guitar. All we ask is that you stay committed—if you need a bit more time to catch up, we encourage you to put in some extra practice at home.