The Western Illinois Museum is pleased to welcome acclaimed guitarist Guido Sánchez Portuguez to Our Front Porch on Friday, September 5, 2025. Originally from Costa Rica and currently on the faculty of the University of Illinois, Sánchez Portuguez will perform pieces ranging from the Spanish Renaissance to his own contemporary compositions.
Doors and bar open at 5:00 pm, and music begins at 5:30 pm. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door to support the museum and its programming.
Highlights of the program include two pieces by vihuela composer Luys de Narváez, Italian virtuoso Mauro Giuliani’s famed Variations on a Theme by Händel, and Brazilian master Heitor Villa-Lobos’s folk-inspired Prelude No. 1 and Choro No. 1. Also featured are Argentine composer Jorge Cardoso’s dance hall-inspired Milonga and Sánchez Portuguez’s own Trazos and Rondó de vidrio. Come enjoy a Friday evening with a master of the guitar!
Dr. Guido Sanchez-Portuguez is a guitarist, composer, and educator whose musical journey began in an unexpected place—Costa Rica’s thrash metal scene of the 1990s. As part of a pioneering band, he immersed himself in guitar-driven soundscapes, from power chords to intricate solos. That early passion laid the foundation for a lifelong exploration of the guitar, leading him into the world of classical music. He studied at the University of Costa Rica and later earned his Doctor of Music from Indiana University, where he also taught for several years. He has received numerous honors, including top prizes at the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, Costa Rica’s National Guitar Competition, and the Concurso y Festival Internacional de Guitarra de La Habana, Cuba. He has performed at major festivals across the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Now Clinical Assistant Professor of Guitar at the University of Illinois, Dr. Sanchez-Portuguez leads the guitar studio and directs both the Guitar Ensemble and Latin American Ensemble. He also teaches Class Guitar for music education majors and instituted "Guitar Week" at Illinois Summer Youth Music. Committed to expanding access to music education, he regularly visits public schools across Illinois to give performances, lead workshops, and support pre-college guitar programs. Dr. Sanchez-Portuguez’s story is one of unwavering commitment to the world of music, and his dedication to music, education, and artistic exploration continues to inspire students and audiences alike.
The Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a deeper understanding of history, culture, and tradition, sparking curiosity that connects us to the past, each other, and the values that shape our community. As a lively gathering place, the Museum offers exhibits, open collection access, lectures, music, and a variety of engaging, educational programs in a historic setting.
This program is funded in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.
For more information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email
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The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. The building is fully accessible, and free accessible parking is available.
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