WCGS Member Newsletter – December 2022

Happy holidays everyone! Hope you’re all doing well.

Just a quick update this month. Hope you can make it out to our holiday salon coming up on Sunday. Please feel free to bring cookies/treats to share. We’ll have coffee on hand to go with them, and hopefully some holiday music, depending on who’s feeling inspired, lol. Maybe I’ll even dust off a guitar…

Concert and Masterclass with Rupert Boyd
Coming up on February 25 we’ll have a concert and masterclass with Australian virtuoso Rupert Boyd. Rupert has played for us twice now – once solo, and once with his wife cellist Laura Metcalf – and he’s always a delight to hear. Tickets for his concert are on sale now on our website.

Rupert’s masterclasses are always insightful as well, and his comments very helpful. I expect the performance slots for this masterclass to sell out, so if you’re interested in playing, please do not hesitate to sign up. Sign up as a performer or auditor in our Online Store.

Wilmington Classical Guitar Season 2022-23
It’s been a particularly long and windy road this year, with lots of pitfalls and a flat tire or two, but I’ve finally managed to book an outstanding season of concerts and masterclasses. And now, after a bit of effort, all the information you need to learn about the artists and purchase tickets is available on our website.

This season we’re going for broke, and have enlisted a ton of exciting artists to perform for us, including the return of Thomas Viloteau w/Alexandra Iranfar-Viloteau[PAST] (October 15), Hao Yang (November 19)[PAST], the return of Rupert Boyd (February 25), The Davisson Duo (March 25), and the GFA Winner’s Tour Featuring Bokyung Byun (April 29), who you might remember brought the house down right before the pandemic hit. In addition we’ll have the 11th Annual WCGS Members Concert (May 27). Can’t wait!

To sweeten the deal, we’ll be holding a masterclass with each of our artists while they’re here, so all of you performers, practice up. Soon it will be your chance to perform for one of our artists in a masterclass, and a great chance for the rest of us to learn from your hard work. Thomas Viloteau’s masterclass was great, and Hao Yang’s masterclass is just around the corner, so please don’t hesitate to sign up. All are welcome, regardless of ability.

Tickets for all events are on sale in our Online Store.

WCG Season Rack Cards
Our Season Rack Card is now available. Pick one up at any event, or new this year, download your own on our website.

Your Member Discount
New this season, the discount codes for the purchase of your discounted member tickets is integrated directly into the website, so no more sifting through newsletters or the Facebook Group looking for codes. When you arrive at the website, please LOGIN in the menu at the top right. Once you’re logged in, an “Account” tab will be appear in the main menu on the right. In addition to linking you to the Member Discounts, this tab will allow you to view/change/renew your membership status, view your donation and purchasing history, and change any of your personal information when necessary. I hope everyone finds this a useful addition to the website.

If you have any suggestions for additional improvements, no matter how trivial, please let me know! This is your community too, and we want to know how to best serve you.

Upcoming Salon Sunday December 18 at 6:00 pm at PCOC
Our next salon is coming up this Sunday, December 18, at 6 pm (doors open at 5:45). Monthly salons take place in the West Room or the Sanctuary at the Church of the Covenant, 503 Duncan Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809. The church is easily accessible from 95 and has ample parking on the street and in a private parking lot. Our entrance is in the corner of the building right off the West side of the parking lot (see link).

Google directions to the Church: Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

**If you are coming to the salon, please arrive between 5:45 and 6:00. I will LOCK the door at 6:00 so it is not left open and unattended. If you arrive later than 6:00, please text Matthew at (302) 650-8797 or Billur Dowse at (215) 738-3741 and we’ll will be happy to let you in. Knocking loudly may also work.

*NOTE: We will no longer be streaming our in-person salons on Zoom. Thanks for tuning in. Hope to see you in-person soon!

*NOTE: The following salon will take place on January 29. Mark your calendars!

PLEASE NOTE: OUR COVID POLICIES HAVE CHANGED. Our current policy: Masking and social distancing are encouraged. We will continue to space the seats out as room allows. As always, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, runny-nose, short of breath, etc.), please do not come.

2022-23 Salon Schedule
December 18
January 29
February 19
March 19
April (no Salon currently scheduled – PCGS guitar festival weekend)
May 21
June 25

November Meeting Recap
Thanks to everyone who came out for our October salon, and thanks for the wonderful playing! I really enjoyed listening to you all.

October performers included:

Scott Kuykendall – Espanoleta by Gaspar Sanz and Ashokan Farewell by Unger arr. Bill Tyers
Debbie Mulrooney and Matthew Lavanish – Canarios by Gaspar Sanz
Ernesto Solana – Homaenaje a Segovia by Annette Kruisbrink
Simon Varley – Prelude Viii by Manuel Ponce and Paquito Vals by Francisco Tarrega

Check out our Facebook group for some great insight into what’s happening online with classical guitar. There are all kinds of new things popping up, from festivals, masterclasses, competitions, concerts, and lectures.

We’re at 2,450+ followers on Facebook! Make sure you’re one of them, and help us break the 2,500 mark! https://www.facebook.com/wilmingtonguitar

Best wishes, and stay safe,
Matthew Lavanish
President & Artistic Director – The Wilmington Classical Guitar Society