15th March Widmore Performance

The Widmore ensemble will be performing for the BGS at the next meeting on Saturday March 15th.

The program is currently being finalised by Paul Brown. As soon as I get a copy I will post it on site so keep watching this space.

The program timetable has been re adjusted to accommodate a concert (Handel's Messiah)taking place in the Church that evening. Members please note the following:

6.30-7:15: Ensembles with Ray Butcher
7:15-7:45: Refreshments/Preparation

7:45-8:30: Widmore Concert
8:30-9:00 Individual items (Limited time)


The timetable will be subject to change on the evening but I am confident that guitars 'shall sound 'as well as Trumpets (with apologies to Mr G Handel esq)

Guitar Meeting 15th February

Once more the members braved the cold to troop on down to St Marks for a pluck and a strum! No photos unfortunately as I was too busy setting up the computer and podcasting software that I forgot. Sorry!

The beginning of the evening took on a rather nautical tone with Cap'n Ray Butcher leading a rousing and, judging by the sound clip, a rather aptly named ensemble performance of the Drunken Sailor .

This was followed by a stab at Carulli's Rondeau where your correspondent suddenly remembered the benefits of bar chords, thanks to a quick reminder from Dave Hampton (Thanks Dave!)

No rum was issued to all hands but we were all grateful to Trevor Pike who took control of the coffee catering.

The solo pieces were terrific. Stephen provided a rendition of Lagrima. This was followed by with Nuttall's Gaelic Song as performed by Jenny Wormald. Next was Bebita played by Tom Rimmer and a lovely piece Dawn over Carnavon performed by Alan Green. And your correspondent managed to avoid murdering Dalza's Prima Calata alla Spangnola...only just!

Special thanks again to Ray Butcher for organising the ensemble part of the evening (and I was especially grateful that he didn't make us play 'Aint Misbehavin.) and to Trevor for the refreshments.

The next meeting will be on Saturday 15th March. There will be a slight change with the performance itinerary as the Church is hosting a performance of 'The Messiah' which means that the 'Trumpet shall sound' along with the strumming. It also means that we may be a little over crowded. Because of logistics, we may start the evening with the Widmore Ensemble performance, followed by the usual ensemble/solo sessions after interval. I would also suggest that you may want to arrive a little earlier as car parking may be at a premium.

More details of the intinerary will be available on the blogsite and in the Newsletter.

BTW the Administration Committee will be meeting at Denis's studio at West Wickham (48a Glebe Way West Wickham) on Sunday 9th March at 10am. Any BGS members wishing to attend please send me an email or , better still, register a comment on the Blog Comments area. This is YOUR Guitar Society so please don't hesitate if you want to express an opinion or share any ideas.

Federation of Guitar Societies Meeting

News item in from Ray Butcher (Enfield Guitar Society)


http://www.federationofguitarsocieties.org.uk/


This is the federation of Guitars workshop that we are going to on 15th June. AGM and General meeting of the FGS.

Dorset Guitar society have agreed to host a meeting from 11:00 until 5:00.

The general idea is to get as many guitar societies together that we can to play for 10-15 mins each, depending upon the number of groups. Then to have food, AGM and then play large ensemble with Stephen Kenyon directing all groups in one large orchestra. Could be as many as 40 guitarists.

All are welcome to come along for the day. Refreshments are provided by courtesy of Dorset Guitar Society members.

Visit the website for further information

A Celebration of the Spanish Guitar

Barbican Hall, 20 February 2008, 7.30pm

On Wednesday 20 February, guitarist Rolando Saad will be playing works by Joaquîn Rodrigo
and Moreno Torroba in A Celebration of the Spanish Guitar at the Barbican in central London.
Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez forms the centrepiece of a concert that celebrates the
versatility and beauty of the Spanish guitar sound. With the scene set by the Barber of
Seville overture and excerpts from Carmen, the warmth and colour of Spain are highlighted in
a programme that unites lyrical themes and lively dance rhythms to evoke the spirit of
Andalucía.

Born in Córdoba, Argentina, guitar soloist Rolando Saad completed his studies in Spain and
has had a distinguished concert career, giving many acclaimed performances of the Rodrigo
concerto across Europe and South America. He plays here with the St Petersburg State
Symphony Orchestra, well-known for its series of Naxos CD recordings, and Fuat Mansurov,
resident conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

The full programme is:

  • Georges Bizet Carmen (excerpts)
  • Joaquín Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
  • Joaquín Rodrigo Fantasía para un gentilhombre (Fantasia for a Nobleman)
  • Giacomo Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville
  • Moreno Torroba Sonatina



Seat prices range from £15.00 to £35.00; to book, contact the Barbican box office on
020-7638 8891 (booking fee)or by at www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=6415 (reduced booking fee online)

The concert is at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. We hope to see you on
20 February.