WCGS Member Newsletter – February 2022

Greetings WCGS Members!

It sure was nice to see so many in the audience for our concert with the New York City Guitar Quartet! I think we counted 70, which was more than our first two concerts this season combined. The concert was outstanding, with a really wonderful program and very well rehearsed. I hope you were able to join us.

Don’t forget, proof of vaccination will be required at all concerts and masterclasses this season, and mask wearing is required while inside the building. Before attending, please familiarize yourself with our COVID policies by reading our COVID FAQ which are updated periodically.

The WCGS Board Needs YOU!
The WCGS board will be seeing some turnover at the end of the season in June, so if you’ve been thinking about becoming a board member and lending your expertise and skills to help steer the direction of WCGS, there’s no better time than now. Our board members are the heart of WCGS, and in addition to defining our mission, board members play an active role in making sure our events go smoothly, coordinating our memberships and fundraising, and getting the word out through marketing and social media, among many other things. Board members typically serve for a term of 3 years. If you’re interested in shaping the future of WCGS, we’d like to talk to you. Please contact me at president@wilmingtonguitar.org.

WCGS Presents Xavier Jara!
We’re really excited to be bringing back 2016 GFA Winner Xavier Jara on March 19th at 7:30 pm, this time at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. Xavier put on an absolutely incredible show for us in 2018 at the University of Delaware, as well as several master classes that were among the best I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen quite a few), and we’ve been looking forward to having him back ever since. Xavier’s been keeping busy since we saw him last. Since his concert with us he has completed his master’s studies with famed pedagogue Judicaël Perroy at the San Francisco Conservatory, and joined the faculty of California State University Fullerton campus with fellow GFA Winner Martha Masters.

Xavier’s distinct musical voice is sure to captivate you, so you don’t want to miss this one. Tickets are on sale now in our online store, and will be available at the door. For your WCGS Member Discount (provided you’re a current member), place a General Admission ticket in your cart and use code ‘xavimem’ at checkout to get $10 off the price of your admission. For family members, please follow the same instructions and use code ‘xavifam’. We’re limiting attendance to concerts, so don’t risk being left out in the cold.

If your membership isn’t current, now is a great time to renew!

Xavier Jara will also be teaching a masterclass on March 19th at 1:30 pm in the West Room of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, and we still have 4 performance slots available. Performers can be of any ability level, so don’t miss what might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study with Xavier. Xavier has studied with some of the most important pedagogues for classical guitar, and is himself an accomplished teacher. He has a world of experience and he’s ready to share it with you. Tickets for the masterclass, either to audit or perform, are also available in our online store.

10th Annual WCGS Members Concert
Our 10th annual Members Concert is just around the corner. Are you going to play this year? Let me know if you’re interested, thinking about it, or need more information. president@wilmingtonguitar.org

Upcoming Salon Sunday February 27 at 6:00 pm at PCOC
Our next salon is coming up this Sunday, February 27, 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 Robert at (610) 212-5317 and we’ll will be happy to let you in. Knocking loudly may also work.

If you are unable to attend our in-person salon, but would still like to watch, you may join us via Zoom (← click for link). We will endeavor to have a camera and mic set up for you to passively observe, but may not have the capability to interact with you, or to enable you to participate via Zoom this salon. If there is interest, we will look into making active Zoom participation possible at future meetings. Please let us know!

*NOTE: The following salon will take place on March 27. Mark your calendars!

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT COVID-19 VACCINATION TO ATTEND WCGS EVENTS IN PERSON, including salons, and PROOF OF VACCINATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND MASTERCLASSES AND CONCERTS. If you are not fully-vaccinated, or are experiencing any symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, runny-nose, short of breath, etc.), please do not come.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK. We will also be requiring mask wearing at salons and concerts per CDC recommendations.

2021 Salon Schedule
February 27
March 27
April 24? (will possibly be cancelled due to conflicts)

WCG Season 2021-22
We’ve still got a lot in store for you this season, including Xavier Jara (March 19), and the GFA Tour Featuring Johan Smith (April 23). In addition we’ll have the 10th Annual (!) WCGS Members Concert (May 21). Can’t wait!

To sweeten the deal, we’ll be holding a masterclass with each of our solo 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.

Tickets for all events are for sale now in our Online Store. Discount codes for all events have been sent in a separate newsletter, and are published on our Facebook page. If you ever have a question, please feel free to contact me.

January Zoom Meeting Recap
Sorry I couldn’t attend the Zoom meeting this past month. Thanks to Robert Guerrero for taking the wheel and steering everyone through a great salon! Hope to see you all this Sunday for our next salon.

January performers included:

Ralph Dominica – Landslag 1 by Gulli Björnsson and Op.6 no.8 by Fernando Sor (Segovia 1)
Carl Abramson – Corrente – Double (Presto) from BWV1002 by Johan Sebastian Bach
John Nguyen – Prelude 19 in E major by Manuel Ponce and Op.31 no.18 by Fernando Sor
Jason Myerson – Españoleta and Gallarda y Villano by Gaspar Sanz
Ernesto Solana – Bardenklänge Op.13 no.5 & 6 by Johann Kaspar Mertz
Simon Varley – Prelude I & VII by Manuel Ponce
Scott Kuykendall – Rujero by Gaspar Sanz
Robert Guerrero – El Negrito by Antonio Lauro and Bourree in E minor by J.S. Bach

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.

To submit an event for our event calendar, please Email our event calendar coordinator at events@wilmingtonguitar.org.

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