Augustine Strings

05/29/2026

Prelude No. 1 (lento ma non troppo)
By Adolphus Hailstork

This debut solo album by Augustine Artist, Tom Clippinger, delivers a diverse survey of contemporary American guitar music, bridging classical and electric soundscapes through a collection of world premiere recordings almost entirely personally dedicated and commissioned. Captured in Norfolk’s historic First Lutheran Church and shaped by GRAMMY-winning engineer Andreas Meyer, the project stands as a monument to living American composers, whose distinct voices redefine the modern capabilities of the instrument.

Supported by Tidewater Classical Guitar and Augustine Strings, this release pairs the music with a complete, co-branded “visual album” that captures the physical artistry and dimensionality of these pieces. Ultimately, this collection is not just a personal milestone, but a collaborative testament to the evolving, living legacy of American guitar composition.

05/08/2026

Let’s talk about it 😎

Be sure to watch the full interview on our YouTube! Subscribe for updates 🤩

04/26/2026

In this episode of The Wind Up, host Edu Gutterres sits down with Ukrainian guitar powerhouse Marko Topchii, winner of the 2023 GFA and, frankly, a competition legend.

They dive into the strange and intense world of competitions. Somewhere in that constant movement, the idea of “home” shifts, and Marko reflects on what it means to belong when you’re always on the road.

The conversation wanders in the best way, touching on the time Marko considered switching to piano, but ultimately stayed with the guitar and learned to deeply appreciate its repertoire. There’s also plenty of real guitarist talk—cedar vs. spruce, favorite composers—along with the small but very real details performers obsess over, like what to wear on stage and remembering to stay hydrated under pressure.

Somewhere between the humor and the absurdity, there’s a genuinely moving moment as Marko talks about performing his mother’s music on stage.

Marko is thoughtful, unpredictable, and genuinely funny. Think you can make it through all six strings and all the outfit changes?

1 like. "Fit Checks and XCX: The Tea with Topchii"

04/26/2026

🚨NEW EPISODE🚨

If staying hydrated wasn’t enough 😰 being a professional competitor is no easy task

The new episode of the Wind Up is NOW LIVE! With the INCREDIBLE of the guitar,

Be sure to watch and see if he chooses Bach 😱 or his Mother 😨 and so much more of course. It’s a wild ride of an interview and you don’t want to miss it 😉

03/10/2026

IT’S LIVE!!!!

After A LOT of work from our amazing team, the website is now live!!!! Go check it out 😎

02/22/2026

Cochran & McAllister Guitar Duo perform Letter from Home by Pat Metheny. Originally written as the title track of Metheny’s 1989 album, the piece is a lyrical and nostalgic work filled with warmth, and a sense of longing. Enjoy the piece in this arrangement for two guitars by Matthew Cochran.

Cochran and McAllister plays Augustine Strings Paragon Red
Matthew Cochran plays Augustine Strings Regal Red

🎥 Filmed and edited by Matthew Cochran.

Matthew McAllister - Guitarist

Cochran & McAllister Guitar Duo perform Letter from Home by Pat Metheny. Originally written as the title track of Metheny’s 1989 album, the piece is a lyrica...

02/15/2026

From his Haflög (OceanSongs) cycle, these pieces reflect tides and the movements of the sea, written while he was living far from his native Icelandic coast.

Flæðarmál is inspired by a tidal cove in Saint-Suliac, France, where the remains of a Viking camp appear and disappear with the shifting sea, reflected in the music’s wave motion. Gárur follows attacca, evoking the small ripples that cross still water at the slightest change in wind.

See the full interview on our YouTube and subscribe for more!!!!

Video by Matthew Cochran

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Gulli Björnsson performs two of his own compositions inspired by the ocean, Flæðarmál and Gárur. This video was recorded during GFA Week in Louisville, and G...

02/10/2026

Happy birthday Rose Augustine (1910-2003)

From teaching chemistry and hand making strings to co-founding Albert Augustine Ltd, she helped reshape the sound of the classical guitar forever. After her husband Albert Augustine’s passing, Rose carried the company forward and gave back tirelessly through the Albert Augustine Foundation, supporting generations of musicians.

Augustine stands on the shoulders of an amazing woman and her legacy lives on in every string, every stage and every sound.

02/08/2026

Enjoy this video by artist Nanae Fujiwara performing Cançó del Lladre, a classical-guitar favorite from the Catalan folk-song collection arranged by Miguel Llobet. This video was recorded during the 2025 GFA Week in Louisville, and Nanae plays on Classic Red Augustine Strings.

🎥 Filmed and edited by Matthew Cochran.

Enjoy this video by artist Nanae Fujiwara performing Cançó del Lladre, a classical-guitar favorite from the Catalan folk-song collection arranged by Miguel L...

02/01/2026

Augustine Strings, in collaboration with the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, presents Meng Su performing Rosa (Valsa) by Pixinguinha, arranged for guitar by the legendary Roland Dyens. Recorded at the Barbro Osher Recital Hall at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Meng Su, guitar
Guitar: Jakob Lebisch 2025
Strings: Augustine Regal Red

Rosa (Valsa) by Pixinguinha (1897–1973)

Augustine Strings, in collaboration with the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, presents Meng Su performing Rosa (Valsa) by Pixinguinha, arranged for g...