Biography
“He has it. He has it in every way…he has a fantastic technique…he communicates very well with the public…” Classic FM (NZ)
New Zealand born guitarist John Couch, currently based in Canberra Australia, holds a Masters of Music in Performance (2000) from the Australian National University. Guided by Timothy Kain, he also gained his Post – Graduate Diploma (Performance and Research (1998)) in Canberra after having completed his Bachelor of Music in Performance in Auckland in 1997.
“An extraordinary musician, a perfect technique:” Edition Beauce, Quebec (Canada)
Couch released his first CD in 2001 entitled A Fairytale…with Variations featuring contemporary solo guitar music from all around the world. His second CD was released late 2005 entitled Desdemona’s Song and is a collection of favourite guitar music. His latest CD was released in 2008 entitled Andre’s New Shoes and celebrates ten years musical collaboration with Australian Violinist Judith Hickel. He has recorded for and played on ABC Classic FM (Australia), 2CN (Australia), Classic FM (New Zealand), TVNZ (New Zealand), Radio Canada and HCMTV7 (Vietnam), and has been featured as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
"...the fingers of John Couch danced across the strings" Schwetzinger Zeitung (Germany)
Couch currently plays a 2007 Smallman & Sons guitar. He has worked with leading Australian Composers, both commissioning new work from them and premiering their work, including Richard Charlton, Marian Budos, Ivana Troselj and Dr Jesmond Grixti and has extensively presented concerts and recitals throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Canada, Germany and Sweden as a soloist, chamber musician since 1994. It all started in 1994 when 1st place was awarded him in the New Zealand Guitar Competition. In 2001, not only was he the first guitarist to reach the final of the prestigious Gisborne International Music Competition for Orchestral Instruments, he was the first guitarist to win it. In 2002 Couch was awarded 1st place in the Australian International Guitar Competition. In 2003 he was a prizewinner at the 36th International Guitar Competition “Michele Pittaluga” (Italy), in 2004 he was awarded 2nd place in the Taiwan International Guitar Competition, and in 2008 he performed in the Finals of the Tokyo International Guitar Competition.
"His richly sustained tone and phrase shaping in the slow movement of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez single him out as an outstanding player of international standing" Ian Dando (Christchurch Times)
New Zealand born guitarist John Couch, currently based in Canberra Australia, holds a Masters of Music in Performance (2000) from the Australian National University. Guided by Timothy Kain, he also gained his Post – Graduate Diploma (Performance and Research (1998)) in Canberra after having completed his Bachelor of Music in Performance in Auckland in 1997.
Couch released his first CD in 2001 entitled A Fairytale…with Variations featuring contemporary solo guitar music from all around the world. His second CD was released late 2005 entitled Desdemona’s Song and is a collection of favourite guitar music. His latest CD was released in 2008 entitled Andre’s New Shoes and celebrates ten years musical collaboration with Australian Violinist Judith Hickel. He has recorded for and played on ABC Classic FM (Australia), 2CN (Australia), Classic FM (New Zealand), TVNZ (New Zealand), Radio Canada and HCMTV7 (Vietnam), and has been featured as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
"...the fingers of John Couch danced across the strings" Schwetzinger Zeitung (Germany)
"His richly sustained tone and phrase shaping in the slow movement of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez single him out as an outstanding player of international standing" Ian Dando (Christchurch Times)
