Frank Gerstmeier – Classical Guitarist, Educator and Composer
Frank Gerstmeier studied school music, instrumental pedagogy and chamber music, completing his concert examination with Prof. Hubert Käppel in Cologne. While still a student, he began teaching, performing concerts and working as a theatre, opera and studio musician. Since then, he has been firmly established in the music scene both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles.
Through extensive concert activities and masterclasses in Germany and abroad, Frank Gerstmeier has gained nationwide recognition.
He has taught at the Dortmund Music School since 1980 and at the music academies of Dortmund, Essen and Detmold since 1989. In addition to his work as an arranger, he has also been active as a composer for several years. His compositions for guitar ensemble primarily reflect his pedagogical approach, while his solo works demonstrate a refined sense of sound and a deep understanding of the guitar’s musical possibilities. His works have been published by well-known German publishers, including Edition Margaux.
Since 2001, Frank Gerstmeier has also been active as a conductor of guitar ensembles. He regularly directs festival ensembles at major events and is a recurring guest at the biennial World Youth Guitar Festival in England, in addition to festivals in Paderborn and Iserlohn.
In recent years, his artistic interest has increasingly focused on the ukulele. He considers the creation of stylistically refined arrangements and original compositions within the instrument’s limited scope to be a particular artistic challenge.
Link: https://frank-gerstmeier.de/
Performing at Siccas Guitars
Every classical guitarist who performs at Siccas Guitars brings a distinct musical path to the instrument — shaped by years of study, competition experience, and the particular musical tradition they have chosen to inhabit. The classical guitar demands sustained technical commitment and a deep engagement with a repertoire that spans from the Renaissance through to works written for living performers. It is an instrument whose full possibilities only reveal themselves over time.
