Greetings Subscriber!
We’re heading into the holiday season with two successful concerts and masterclasses under our belts. Hope you were able to make it out to at least one of them. My major concern has been with the safety of everyone at our events, but it looks like the precautions we’ve been taking have made those attending feel safe and comfortable. If concerns over COVID kept you from otherwise attending one of our events recently, please consider getting in touch with me. I’d be happy to discuss with you how the concerts have been going and help you find a way to feel comfortable attending our next event.
Proof of vaccination will be required at all concerts and masterclasses this season. Please don’t forget. I’ve already had to turn 2 customers away for neglecting to bring their cards with them, and it broke my heart. Before attending, please familiarize yourself with our COVID policies by reading our COVID FAQ.
Upcoming Salon Sunday 11/21 at 6:00 pm at PCOC
Our next salon is coming up this Sunday, November 21, 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 we may not have the capability to interact with you, or to enable you to participate via Zoom. 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 December 19. 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, specifically: “If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.”
2021 Salon Schedule
November 21
December 19
WCG Season 2021-22
We’ve still got a lot in store for you this season, including the debut of the New York City Guitar Quartet (February 19), 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.
And for you curious onlookers, auditing masterclasses is FREE! Sign up as an auditor and join the fun.
Tickets for all events are for sale now in our Online Store. If you’d like to order tickets online with your member discount, please refer to the email I sent out with all discount codes in November, or the pinned topic in our Facebook group.
October Meeting Recap
As I anticipated, we had a smaller turnout for our last salon, due in large part to the concert and masterclass on the previous day. But with Halloween the following weekend, it couldn’t be helped. Thankfully this doesn’t happen too often. Thanks to all the diehards who made it out to the salon despite it already being a full weekend! Hope to see you all this Sunday for our next salon.
October performers in no particular order:
Seth Hammonds – Epilogo from Elegia for la Muerte de un Tanguero by Máximo Diego Pujol
Matthew Lavanish – Landslög No.1 by Gulli Björnsson (November challenge piece)
Robert Guerrero(!) – Cantilena by Richard Charlton
John Nguyen – Valse Op.59 No.34 by Matteo Carcassi and 1. Armida from Triptico by Antonio Lauro
Simon Varley – Longing by Celil Refik Kaya and Prelude No.5 by Manuel Ponce
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