Schools

Teen Guitarist from Wayzata Shreds McNally Smith College of Music's 'Clash of the Titans'

Wayzata’s own Bobby Rethwisch placed second in the McNally Smith College of Music’s recent “Clash of the Teen Guitar Titans” competition. Fifteen teenage guitarists took the stage at McNally Smith’s campus in downtown St. Paul Saturday, Aug. 10, and played along to a pre-recorded track of their choice for a panel of expert judges. 

The 14-year-old Rethwisch wowed the crowd with his scintillating performance of Joe Satriani’s “Satch Boogie”—a challenging composition considered the 55th greatest guitar solo ever by Guitar World readers. For flashing such advanced skills, the young shredder claimed a full scholarship to McNally Smith’s 2014 Summer Guitar Workshop and an iRig (a device that connects a guitar to any iPhone, iPad or Macbook) courtesy of Guitar Center. 

Rock on Bobby!

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The Clash of the Teen Guitar Titans was just one of several guitar-themed events that took place on Saturday, Aug. 10—culminating with the Lowertown Guitar Festival in Mears Park, downtown St. Paul. Boasting an impressive lineup of six-string virtuosos including Scott Henderson, Mark Ribot and Pat Donohue, the outdoor performances drew nearly 2,000 attendees throughout the day. 

Festivities began with free workshops at McNally Smith College of Music, highlighted by renowned Fender clinician Greg Koch — who gave Clash contestants and local guitarists the inside scoop on intense right-hand technique, including “chicken picking,” and how he learned sweep picking from the great Chet Atkins. For highlights of all the day's events, visit www.mcnallysmith.edu/lgf13.

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