In 2007, professor Anthony Glise began the classical guitar program in the MU School of Music. Seven years later, he’s taking the program to Chartres, France, in the school’s first faculty-led international program for classical guitarists.

Glise isn’t sure how to describe the program, titled “Red Socks and Classical Guitar” for the red accessories musicians will wear while performing.

“With all the classes, it’s a seminar,” Glise said. “With the private lessons, it’s a series of master classes. With the concerts, it’s a festival. We’re really touching all the bases on this one.”

Under the guidance of program director Glise, MU’s School of Music will take classical guitar students, a string quartet and flutists to Chartres for two weeks in July. The program is open to all MU and non-MU students.

Glise, who divides his time as a professor in Missouri and a performer in France, saw a need to give musicians international experience.

“Every time that we have influence from any outside source, it wakes us up to different aspects in not only in the learning process but (also) in who we are as individuals,” he said.

The classical guitar department at MU has 11 full-time students, making it one of the largest in the Midwest. Glise sees the program as a way to bring the students together.

“The sense of camaraderie that comes from this kind of project solidifies a studio,” he said.

Junior Alec Feldges said he plans to attend the seminar.

“(Classical guitar) is not something that’s been around in universities as a full program for a while,” he said. “A tight community is something that is always on the forefront of the minds of guitarists especially.”

The program will give classical guitar students experience playing in a group.

“Because guitar is normally a solo instrument, we don’t have the opportunity to play chamber music as often as we would like,” Glise said. “The chance to have this many people under one roof will be a tremendous advantage.”

Students will participate in daily private instruction as well as ensemble practices to earn two academic credits.

Coursework will include music from the Baroque period through the 21st century. Students will study one or two pieces from each period with the goal of performing them.

Glise has confirmed two concerts to be played and is working to finalize more performances.

The program includes excursions outside of Chartres, as well as daily French lessons for cultural immersion. Glise drew on the importance of his own experiences across the world.

“International experiences — whether it’s concerts, teaching, recording, whatever — that I’ve had in my life have had such a tremendous impact on my ability to develop my career and my personality,” he said. “I simply want my students to wake up to that fact.”

Two days in Paris will include sightseeing as well as a chance to visit the National Archives to learn procedures for archival research.

Morgan Schwartz, assistant director of study abroad, said Glise utilized his wide network to open opportunities for the students.

“(Glise) has a lot of that localized knowledge,” Schwartz said. “It’s not a program that many faculty would be able to set up successfully.”

Glise has led 14 international guitar seminars, two of which were in Chartres.

Through international programs like Red Socks, Glise helps provide new context to students to further their understanding of music as well as themselves.

“That’s one of the glorious things about music … nobody on this planet is ever going to live long enough to get it all,” Glise said. “Nobody’s going to understand it all. There’s always a challenge out there. In the big picture, that’s what education is about anyways. It’s about waking us up to little pieces that become parts of our lives.”