August 15th Meeting of the BGS

Despite a few of our regulars being absent there was still a healthy turn-out of eleven of us for this meeting. With John, our regular band leader, missing, we were expecting to have to try and 'wing it' for the ensemble pieces this evening. Luckily we were saved from having to face that potential chaos when Kate stepped up to take the helm and did an amazing job of conducting the group.

Kate introduced a new ensemble piece to us - "To The 5th Power" by Aaron Stang and Sandy Feldstein. This catchy piece has a modern feel with a slow intro followed by an up tempo second section with a swing feel. (The chord progression is very reminiscent of "I'd Love to Change the World", Alvin Lee's great song from 1971.) Kate had previous experience of this arrangement and did an admirable job of teaching us the nuances of the piece, guiding us through the tempo change, isolating different parts to ensure we had it right, and even singing the melody at one point to help us 'get' the rhythm - that was a very useful aid! Consensus among the players afterwards was that Kate made it very clear when it came to timing and rhythm. Well done Kate!

We followed this with some more practice of  "Ballad" by Mark Houghton.

Half-time refreshments followed. Thanks, as always, to Trevor for the teas, coffees and delicious biscuits.

Sticking to the mainly modern theme of the evening, solo pieces this week were:

Marion	Santillana by David Cottam
Colin	Somebody Loves Me by George Gershwin
Freddy	Self-arranged medley: "Hear my Song, Violetta", "Spanish Eyes" and "La Paloma"
Steve	Un Dia de Noviembre by Leo Brouwer

After the solos we had a stab at a couple of pieces from "Ray's Big Book". We gave up halfway through Stairway to Heaven. Maybe we should adopt the approach of many music shops and have a sign on the wall:

We had considerably more success with the old Shadow's tune "Wonderful Land" by Jerry Lordan, and had a fair attempt at Eleanor Rigby before calling it a day at the end of a very enjoyable meeting.

Please note that there is a new page, Current Ensemble Repertoire, accessible at the top of the blog, just under the logo. Visit that page to see the pieces we are currently working on.

August 1st Meeting of the BGS Plucker brigade!!

It was a lively turnout for the August Pluck and Strumfest!!



Despite the heat and humidity, we can report  a good turnout from the usual gang! It was great to see Tessa back, all primed with a Bach prelude. Not to mention Trevor, Steve , Larisa, Alexander, John, David and Marion. A small but plucky (I am really giving the 'pluck' metaphor a good run for its money!!) band of troubadours ready and willing to have a go at what ever our ensemble leader, John Mann, had to throw at us. And he did have some challenging pieces.  A particularly fiendish piece called Elite Syncopations by Scott Joplin as well as a lovely arrangement called 'Ballad' by Mark Houghton. Shirley has sent out a copy of the music to all members including a piece called Tango which I assume we will look at a little later. If you haven't received a copy please either let her or myself know.

Solo performances were of the usual high standard with a piece from David Burden's Celtic Suite played by Marion Davis , and 'dueling' Bach preludes- Prelude 996 performed by John Mann and Prelude 998 performed by Tessa Protheroe.

We also spend a lot of time discussing the future direction of the Bromley Guitar Society based on a brainstorm list generated at the last executive meeting. You can find the list here along with a questionnaire indicating what you see are the most important or less important items that should be considered.  Seriously folks this is an important step that we need to take in order to ensure the future sustainability of the Society The list and the survey results will be discussed  in more detail at the 2015 AGM meeting.

Please note that the next meeting will take place on August 15th. Members are asked to bring along their ensemble books for practice. John Mann is not available to take the ensembles that evening so we will have to muddle along. If any member would like to have a go at leading the group, please don't be shy. Here's a suggestion- have a look at the pieces in Ray's book- select one and then it will be your task to lead the group through that piece.

Trevor will be opening the hall that evening as your correspondent will not be attending due to a family commitment- the noisy but welcome arrival of his grandsons during that weekend. I could bring them to the meeting to lead the ensemble but they would ensure that chaos would follow in their  wake (and we don't have much music from the 'Wiggles')

Have a great meeting on the 15th and I look forward to seeing you in September