WCGS Member Newsletter – October 2021

Greetings Subscriber!

I’m so excited for this weekend! We’re finally back in the swing of things, with a masterclass and concert on Saturday with Jordan Dodson, and our in-person salon on Sunday. Hope to see you all at at least one of our events this weekend!

Don’t forget, proof of vaccination will be required at all concerts and masterclasses this season. Before attending, please familiarize yourself with our COVID policies by reading our COVID FAQ.

WCGS Presents Jordan Dodson!
The Wilmington Classical Guitar Society is pleased to bring back Jordan Dodson, who we featured in 2014 in our first collaboration with Philadelphia non-profit LiveConnections at World Cafe Live at the Queen. Jordan floored us with his imaginative interpretations, flawless technique, and undaunted adventurousness, and we’re happy to be able to welcome him back to our stage. Jordan has the distinction of being the first graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music Guitar Program, started in 2011 under Jason Vieaux and David Starobin. Since graduating from Curtis, Jordan has performed extensively as an Astral Artist, and has been a huge advocate of new music for the guitar, giving many world premieres.

Personally, I’ve seen many performances by Jordan, and will keep seeking him out because he’s always bringing something fresh and always exciting my imagination. I can’t recommend him enough, whether solo, in one of his several duets, or with the NYC Guitar Quartet. When Jordan visited us last in 2015, he played his breathtaking commission by Elliot Cole. Entitled “Bloom Suite,” the composition was partly computer generated, and yet still feels flowing and organic. Check it out on YouTube. Who knows what he will bring this time…

Jordan’s concert is this Saturday, October 23rd at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now in the online store. For your WCGS Member Discount (provided you’re a current member), place a General Admission ticket in your cart and use code ‘jord’ at checkout to get $10 off the price of your admission. For family members, please follow the same instructions and use code ‘jordfam’. We’re limiting attendance to concerts, so don’t risk being left out in the cold.

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

Jordan Dodson will also be teaching a masterclass on October 23rd at 1:30 pm in the West Room of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, and we still have 2 performance slots available. Jordan has been performing as a concert artist for many years – you may have seen him perform with the esteemed Astral Artists around Philadelphia – and is distinguished as being the first graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music’s Classical Guitar program, having studied with renown pedagogues Jason Vieaux and David Starobin. Jordan is a huge advocate of new and contemporary music, and has premiered dozens of works, including several he has commissioned. 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.

Upcoming Salon Sunday 10/24 at 6:00 pm at PCOC
Our next salon is coming up this Sunday, October 24, 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 will 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 November 21. 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
October 24
November 21
December 19

WCG Season 2021-22
We’ve got a lot in store for you this season, including Jordan Dodson (October 23), Phil Goldenberg (November 13), 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.

Tickets for all events are for sale now in our Online Store. Please message me for discount codes if I haven’t already published them.

October Meeting Recap
Sorry I couldn’t have an in-person meeting last month. Thanks to Simon Varley for picking up my keys and making sure the show could go on! Hope to see you all this Sunday for our next salon.

October performers in performance order:
Viet Nguyen – Eterna Sudade by Dilermando Reis
Debbie Mulrooney – Barcarolle by Thierry Tisserand and Brian Boru’s March by Turlough O’Carolan
John Nguyen – Strauss Valse Favorites No.4 by N Coste, and Pequeña Romanza by Emilio Pujol
Jason Myerson – Waltz in E Major by Fernando Sor
Simon Varley – Prelude No.8 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