Guitarist strikes a chord at library

Musician plays as part of Newport Beach Public Library’s Sunday Musicale series.Nic Nichol wanted to be a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist.

But when he began college at Chapman University, he stumbled across the classical guitar while studying with Jeff Cogan. He went on to become the first person to graduate from Chapman University with a degree in classical guitar. That was in 1993.

Nichol is now pursuing a concert career, as well as a doctorate in classical guitar at USC. He received his master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Nichol performed five pieces for an audience of about 100 at the Newport Beach Public Library on Sunday as part of the library’s Sunday Musicale series. He also premiered a piece written specifically for him by his friend, Jeffrey Holmes.

Having grown up in Newport Beach, Nichol said he loves to play at the library and has performed there a few times.

He said he prefers the classical guitar because he thinks it’s more cerebral and deep, adding that he feels it’s more challenging and unique.

“It’s a lifestyle,” Nichol said. “You have to really dedicate yourself to it. It’s kind of like training for the Olympics.... For me, there’s a real physical element.”

Irvine resident Payam Larijani is also pursuing his doctorate in classical guitar at Claremont College. He attended Sunday’s performance and said he hopes to play the Sunday Musicale someday.

“It had its nice moments,” he said of Nichol’s performance, adding that his own style is quite different.

The audience seemed to enjoy the 40-minute performance. Many closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and listened to the soft music with pleased smiles.

“I thought it was very interesting because I’ve never heard any classical guitar,” said Tim Torre of Irvine. “I’ve always wanted to experience it, and that was a nice short performance in a relaxed setting. I enjoyed it.”

Seal Beach resident Bill Raus echoed Torre, saying he found Nichol’s performance very interesting.

“His technique is impeccable,” Raus said, adding that he liked the Holmes piece Nichol premiered. “It had a lot of harmonies in it, a lot of feeling. It was definitely very interesting.”

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.

20051114ipx59yknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Classical guitarist Nic Nichol performed at the Newport Beach Public Library on Sunday.