John Hayes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that they, "compile what is easily the most diverse set list in town."

Andrew Druckenbrod, also of the Post-Gazette, reviewed a recent concert:

"The Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo provided some education of its own with a survey of the repertoire of the guitar. . . including some animated lute transcriptions in which the duo expertly executed the imitation. . . . A Hindemith rondo came across lively and punchy, and Brouwer's variations on 'Frere Jacques' was masterful. The best piece, and performance, of the afternoon was Andrew York's 'Evening Dance,' which created a fascinating mood using evocative harmonies and nimble runs."

John and Jim are not only artists at the top of their game, they are also good managers and make all the business dealings very pleasant and efficient. Great audience favorites, and fine gentlemen too!

Ceci Sommers
Chair of Arts Council, Shadyside Presbyterian Church and past Program Chair, Twentieth Century Club, Pittsburgh.

James Ferla and John Marcinizyn have performed many times at West Virginia Independence Hall Museum in Wheeling, WV. They have always been reliable and professional. The presentation of their musical programs has been of the highest quality. We have had large audiences for their concerts. I highly recommend them as performers.

Gerry Reilly
Director, West Virginia Independence Hall Museum
Wheeling, WV

In January 2002, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg hired James Ferla and John Marcinizyn to provide the musical entertainment for a fundraising dinner associated with our "La Cultura" lecture series on Leonardo da Vinci. The program they assembled was extremely well thought-out and executed in every respect, as well as very favorably received.

Throughout the preparation for the event, James and John were a genuine pleasure to work with, and at the event itself were consummate professionals. James and John performed a program of exceptional variety and interest based--as we had requested--on English and Italian Renaissance music, using both period and modern instruments. Of special note was their willingness to work with me as a vocal soloist, an experience I found most enjoyable. In addition to being receptive to learning new repertoire, they allowed more than ample time for us to rehearse together, were very sensitive to my vocal needs, and consulted with me on how the pieces we performed should be arranged. James and John were also willing to help me transform the evening's entertainment into a recital that the three of us gave for the benefit of the students a couple of weeks later, an event that was also quite successful.

In short, working with James and John was an absolute delight. I recommend them most highly without hesitation.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey S. Sposato, Ph.D. (Musicology)
Assistant Professor of Music
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

"Thank you once again for a great show, the students especially enjoyed the variety of guitar styles"

David Silianoff, Teacher
Norwin Middle School West
North Huntingdon

As the director of the International Poetry Forum I have worked with Mr. Ferla and Mr. Marcinizyn for more than a decade. They are not only consummate performing artists, but they work superbly together. In addition to being wonderful performers, they are teachers, arrangers, and composers so that they are artists in every sense of the word. I look forward personally to working with them whenever the opportunity presents itself and I can strongly recommend them to any presenting organization.

Samuel Hazo
President/Director
International Poetry Forum
Pittsburgh, PA

James Ferla and John Marcinizyn have provided music for many liturgical celebrations in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennyslvania. In all instances their repertory and artistry did more than enhance the worship--they created an atmosphere which made possible prayer that was as beautiful as it was profound. They excited awe.

Dr. Fred Moleck
Director, Office for Worship
Diocese of Greensburg
Greensburg PA

I've been aware of the guitar duo of James Ferla and John Marcinizyn for some time, and think very highly of them for a variety of reasons.

I know them through their performances which have been broadcast on the region's classical music station, WQED-FM, of which I am the Operations Manager and Chief Announcer. Performances of theirs have been recorded for broadcast on our Performance in Pittsburgh program, and they are always highly professional and beautifully played.

More recently, I've known them through a performance presented by the newly created Guitar Society of Fine Art. Both Carnegie Mellon University professors, they participated in a wonderful program that featured Pittsburgh guitarists who were also teaching at area universities.

Jim and John are quite comfortable playing a wide range of material, from classical through jazz. In fact, their GSFA performance combined several styles, and demonstrated not only the flexibility of the instrument, but of these two fine players. An added plus is their warmth of presentation, and easy relationship with the audience.

I highly recommend them.

Ted Sohier
WQED Pittsburgh

John and Jim play so well together, with such dexterity, charm and grace, that it is amazing to me that two guitarists are playing at the same time. It is inspiring that they play such a wide variety of music, and play it very well. John and Jim are always well rehearsed, well practiced and on time. And, I'm impressed that they can ad-lib with me on a moment's notice!

Victoria Worek,
Music Director
St. Teresa of Avila Church
Perrysville, PA

The Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo came to our attention in London through their excellent web site, when we wished to add some music to the celebration of a family and friends reunion dinner. We found the web site very informative because it had a portrait of the duo, clear and descriptive text of their performance experience, their education, repertoire and most importantly their contact information including telephone numbers. When we contacted the duo by phone, about 3 weeks before the performance date, they were very pleasant and easy to talk to. What we appreciated most is that they gave an immediate reply to our request. We were impressed with their professionalism on the phone because they were familiar with the venue (The Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh), and assured us that they had frequently performed at similar functions, they addressed the logistics of the evening and the fees. Most importantly, they sounded enthusiastic about the evening. Just from this brief contact we felt confident that our experience with the duo would be reliable and enjoyable.

By immediately following up our conversation with a detailed e-mail we were assured that our decision to use the duo was the right one. On the day they made certain that everything was perfect. As promised, they arrived an hour ahead of the party and prepared themselves. Their playing was beautiful, varied, always interesting but never intrusive to conversations. Indeed, they balanced renaissance pieces with contemporary songs; pavanes and sarabandes flowed into tangos and flamenco dances. We greatly appreciated that their playing was continuous for the three hours, with no discernable lull in the music. Their performance added so much to our celebration and was exactly as background music should be. We were very impressed with the accomplished quality and diversity of their performance. From every perspective our experience with the Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo was excellent. We would highly recommend the duo for any type of function.

Yours sincerely,
Spyros and Stacia Polemis
London, England